Breaking up with vendor

Does the contract have any wording on cancellations?

I would read your contract. A lot of the time they'll have clauses to where if a certain amount isn't paid by that time, then the contract is terminated.

Yeah, pretty sure we're not gonna see that $300. The good news is our new photographer is $500 cheaper even with the lost deposit.

Oh that's good news. I've never heard of a bride getting a deposit back if they terminated the contract. Usually if the vendor terminates it you can get it back. Were you ever able to get in touch with the girl?

We sent an email stating why we wanted to cancel our contract with our original photographer and we didn't hear back from him, we sent a certified letter that needed to be signed for. That way we know he received the cancelation. We have kept copies of all communication just in case we need it.

You might have a shot by arguing that since the vendor wasn't getting back with you and you couldn't get in touch with him you didn't feel comfortable going forward. Arguing that you would have used him if not for the fact that he went AWOL. No guarantee but in your shoes I think I would try writing up a letter at least. From a business standpoint it might be better for him to just give you your deposit back than to worry about you going to a lawyer.

She emailed me back after I emailed her from her other site. She stated that she new the old email isn't working and she's sorry for the miscommunication. I feel she dropped the ball on communicating with us, the last email I have from her was from late 2014. So, if your email isn't working for over a year wouldn't you be contacting your clients with updated information? I just don't trust her.

I recently had to send my MIA MUA a cancellation email... Rosemary wrote a great sample letter on my post which I used as a basis for my email. I basically explained that due to her recent lack of communication I am no longer confident that she will show up on the contracted date. I also told her that under the circumstances, I would appreciate it if she would refund my deposit.

It was non-refundable, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. And she replied, apologized but said she respected my decision, and said she would return my deposit.

I think she's trying to honor it through her current company. The contract states that if K&K cannot perform they will find a sub, so she kinda has a loophole too...

Lawyer??

i dont think so, it's based on your contract at the beginning

When you do breakup, I hope you don't get any drunken texts at 3am.

Yay! I'm glad all is well!!

@Kristina, me too.

@jennifer, I'm gonna try but I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I'm just going to be kind but rational.

Always in writing! And I'm glad you found someone new!

I'm not sure it sounds like she was actively trying to honor your old contract with her new company. If she was, you wouldn't have needed help "stalking" her to find her and you wouldn't have needed to contact her. A responsible business person would have notified all contracted clients about the dissolution of the business and said that her new business would be happy to photograph their scheduled events. I would even think a new contract using the new business name would be required to keep things legally binding. I say try to get the deposit back!

Read your contract. Somethings there is a cancelation deadline you have make (like 6+ months out for example) or something that says if they are not able to rebook that day you're on the hook for more money. You are far enough out I don't know if these would apply to you yet.

You would think she would reach out to her clients and inform them of her new contact info! Is she working for a new company now? Read your contract. I'm glad you found someone new!! She is too unreliable to trust for such a big part of your wedding.

I think Reggie and a few others have made some good suggestions. As a vendor, I often don't talk to my couples for a year; there really isn't a reason, but if they contact me, I am happy to communicate with them. If I changed my biz or number, I'd reach out to all of them. I personally think that she acted irresponsibly. If you were my client and the path of the relationship had gone this way, I'd give your deposit back simply because I woule not want to the congtinue the relationship with you being nervous and understanably annoyed. It doesn't make for a pleasant process. Even though my retainer is non refundable, I can remember one couple years ago that got theirs back because it was evident that we weren't a good fit, and that's not the way you want to go through the planning process.

It's worth a shot. I would detail, step by step, how you tried to find her and how that failed, over what time frame. I would reiterate how anxious and disappointed you are (which would make any pro assume you're going to let people know about it) without threatening bad reviews.

It sound like it worked out well for you so far; keep us posted.

As for the contract, a certified letter will do it; the few couples who've cancelled us usually just call or email me and then I follow up with a confirmation email.

@Celia, thank you! I'll be sending the email on Monday and then a letter once I'm back in Chicago.