Help!? Unresponsive vendor has my deposit!

Can you go to where she is and talk to her face to face? It's unacceptable for her to dodge you. Even if she's busy, she owes you at least a response- she took your check and cashed it. If she keeps up this behavior, threaten to go to the BBB or even better, the interwebs.

First, I would check the contract to see if there was a possibility of getting my money back. Not contacting you after she cashed the check is unacceptable. However, I would definitely do a "drive by" and wait for her.

It's 1.5 hours away so I can't stop in. My FH says I should leave a message that if she can't get back to us then we will find someone else and screw the deposit.

If you are dealing with a professional, there should be a timeline in your contract or agreement package. Is there some form or questionnaire in your information package that you are supposed to complete and get back to the caterer? Perhaps she is waiting on that?

I can't imagine not touching base with a client to let them know that I had received their deposit and signed contract. I do hope that this issue is resolved to your satisfaction, and soon! Good luck to you!

Thank you all for the advice. The questionnaire was done a while ago. I just left a message basically asking what Wendy said. Thanks again I wish I would of gone on the forums sooner in my planning!

She could have thought she responded but never did, it happens. I would send her something like what Wendy said and she if she gets back to you. People make mistakes so there's no need to jump off the deep end with her until you at least try another means of contacting her.

It is good to give her a shot before ditching her - and your money!

Having said that My FH met an amazing caterer on a job site. The guy was very generous with providing the contractors food at lunch and talked to my FH like he was really into catering for us. But then: He promised tastings that he never delivered; promised an extended menu selection that he never delivered and after several attempts to call him and email him with no response we just moved on.

If our business is not big enough for him then we don't need to waste our time. No matter how excellent his food is...and it is excellent according to FH...we don't feel we should be chasing down a vendor. Felt like we were begging for his attention.

I would definitely try to touch base with her yourself with an email exactly like Wendy said. Politely ask what the next steps are. I don't know if you have the contract yet or not, but definitely look through it if you do have it. $250 isn't too bad honestly for a deposit that could have been lost. So be happy if you do have to find another more PROFESSIONAL vendor.

Depending on your financial institution..you may be able to dispute checks as well...I can at mine..its usually $32 charge but she has $250 of your money..next time...use debit card....you cancan definitely dispute those..and just give it some time if you have some ...if the vendor is a small/mid size business ran by some local person..maybe she feels like you're "overly contacting her"..youre not but she is just being unprofessional and I would question whether she should be a vendor for your special day...sorry..I'm a very rational person who doesnt like confrontations but will set you straight if I have too...I would check with the bank first regarding dispute policies and then go from there...Good Luck ..I hope everything works out for you!