Refund Policy: Why isn't there one?
Q. I sent Ms. Dustyhorn a deposit of approximately $2000 for beadwork that was supposed to be completed within a few months. It's now been 6 months, and I still haven't received any progress pictures or updates, despite multiple requests. I've been given several excuses and have agreed to extended deadlines, but there’s been no follow-through. I've also requested a refund for my deposit, but I have not received it. What can I do?
A: Please be aware that verbal agreements or contracts made through text messages or social media apps are not legally enforceable unless you go through civil processes in British Columbia. This means that even though you may feel you should get a refund, it may be difficult to get your money back without going through legal steps. In your case, if you’ve sent a deposit or full payment to Ms. Dustyhorn (whether it is for beadwork, regalia, or sewn items), regardless of what you may think is reasonable, refunds are generally not provided. (Source: Investigation 2023-2025, 100% of individuals interviewed did not receive their refund and are owed money, during the time this website was prepared).
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Q: But I did not receive the product, aren’t I entitled to a refund?
A: Yes, of course. You did not receive the product, and by all rights, you are entitled to a refund as soon as Ms. Dustyhorn misses her first agreed-upon deadline. This would be considered a breach of an essential contract term. However, because there is no formal written contract and no clear accountability on her part, getting a refund in practice is much more difficult. Based on what we’ve heard from the community, Ms. Dustyhorn often claims she can’t afford to refund customers and asks for more time. She uses excuses like being sick, being behind on orders, or dealing with personal struggles. As a result, customers often agree to “just one more month” or “two more weeks,” only to find themselves waiting for months—and sometimes even years—without receiving their product or a refund. In this pattern of delays, she’ll keep promising that things will improve, hoping you’ll eventually give up. On average, these “delay tactics” last anywhere from 1 to 3 years before people either give up or take further legal or civil actions.
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Q: Isn't that theft?
A: While it may certainly feel like theft, what Ms. Dustyhorn is doing is less about outright theft and more about a pattern of broken promises and unfulfilled commitments. She uses a simple tactic: she keeps offering you “one more chance” and then delays delivery again and again. This creates a situation where customers keep waiting, thinking that the next deadline will finally be met. But instead, the delay continues, and customers end up with no product and no refund. The cycle of non-responsiveness, unfulfilled promises, and emotional exhaustion leaves customers out of their deposit or full payment, with no clear path for recovering their money.
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THE HOOK OF THE SCAM
Q: What is the anatomy of Ms. Dustyhorn's Scam?
Let’s unpack this. Remember Aesop’s Fable about the Tortoise and the Hare? The tortoise, slow and steady, wins the race because it keeps moving forward, never rushing or giving up. Now, if you’re more into Game of Thrones, think about “Death by Attrition”—a strategy where someone wears you down over time, bit by bit, until you give up. Or, if you’ve ever been to a powwow competition, think about those long, grueling weekends when you have to dance your face off and outlast everyone. Back when we were dancing those hot Saskatchewan summers, we’d tell ourselves, “Just don’t look tired, keep moving, keep your feet light, and never quit.” That’s how you win in the long run. In this case, Ms. Dustyhorn uses a similar strategy: delay after delay, until the customer feels so worn down they either accept their loss or give up. It’s a slow, exhausting process—what we’d call "death by attrition." But remember, the key to winning here is to stay steady and not get caught in her cycle of delays. We encourage you to take action.