Non Responsive Vendor

What type of vendor?

Can we know which vendor?

How much was it? Why was it paid in full already? Why no contract?

Sheesh, I am a nosey rosey.

You have no contract and no receipt. Did you pay with a check or cc or anything that could be tracked and disputed on your end? If not your only options are to keep trying or cut your losses.

You must absolutely get a contract with your vendors before you start paying for things

Without one you are unlikely to get the help you need or your money back

Good luck and keep trying

Chivy: " Said vendor was very responsive initially - when she wanted my business"

What vendor? Most of my vendors I didn't speak to for months after original booking. They may be very busy right now between weddings and graduations and things.

Oops misread. Thanks nonna

Call or go in person

Have you tried calling her?

Which vendor because I literally have not spoke to my venue since I put my deposit down and signed my contract. Same with photog and now florist. I work with my DJ, so I talk to him all day. I would go there in person to talk to them if you feel that might help

She is my vendor for decor rental. I don't live in the state I am getting married in so I can't go pop up in person. I have tried to call as well, with no response. Completely understand that we are in the middle of wedding season, however, I still don't think no response is appropriate. I have a copy of the proposal, a copy of an invoice where it indicates I have paid in full, and email confirmation that she has me on her books. It was paid in full because the amount was less than $1000 and it was easier for me to do so upfront and (what I thought) guarantee my rentals.

Then I suggest a registered letter.

What does her proposal say about refunds and cancellations? Not suggesting you cancel, just wondering.

She could be busy decorating weddings, proms and graduations but she could at least email you 2 o'clock in the morning and say " Hey. Can I get back to you in 2 weeks?"

Why do you not have a contract???!!! How detailed is the proposal? Is the proposal in essence the contract? At least you have all the other documentation. I was going to say call, but then you replied later saying you tried that too. What is the timeframe of no responses? You didn't mention any specifics. Is this like over a couple months? Couple weeks? Couple days? No response after a few days, let alone weeks/months is unacceptable and beyond unprofessional.

Please clarify timeframe for all this and then I'll add more advice (based on the timeframe).

I know it seems stressful, but you really don't need to be in contact with her till 4-6 weeks before your wedding. PP's are correct. I booked my vendors, and then didn't talk to most of them till then. So it's not unreasonable that you haven't spoken with her yet.

However she should be responding to you. As others have said, even a short "hey I'll get back to you in X days" isn't unreasonable.

Does anyone you know live near this vendor? Could they go for you?

A proposal is a contract after money is paid. I have not signed a thing with my caterer and won't until the check to pay her after she invoices me after the wedding. You don't need a written document for a service contract to be enforceable if performance is within a year.

Regardless of contract status you cannot get blood from a stone. Aka lots of people and businesses are judgment proof. It costs a couple grand to hire and lawyer and file paperwork. If the amount in question is less than that, it is not worth trying to enforce.

All of this is to say that no matter if you get a contract with a vendor, unless you know and trust their professionalism you can be left holding the bag if you pre-pay them. Never pre-pay a vendor is the best advice to be learned from this.

The proposal from my understanding would be the "contract" in addition to the confirmation emails. Timeframe of no responses, I emailed her in Feb, took her until March to say she received my email, but never responded to the question (which is, what size candles do I need to purchase for my votive holders and my table lanterns, or if she would provide them, how much additional would I be needing to pay her). I don't try to pester her because I know I'm not the only client, however, a very simple question that can be answered in 5 minutes is taking months without a response. I email her once a month and since April have had zero response.

Ok, so she didn't have a stellar track record to begin with.

Again, the certified letter would hopefully prompt her in to responding.

Please let us know if you need help with the letter if you decide to go that route.

I honestly don't know what I would do in this situation, sorry OP. I know what it's like planning a wedding out of state though-- it's not fun! All I would do is wait. I'm hoping she's just busy (doesn't make it okay but at least you wouldn't be getting scammed?). How are her reviews?

Yikes!!! I was thinking this was over a few weeks... you're talking MONTHS here. I would send a certified letter. And keep calling!!