Pursue a Partial Refund with Wedding DJ?

As far as I'm concerned your dj was a complete failure. Check the contract Nd see if you have any monetary position. If not, and if he doesn't refund anything, you could sue. You contracted him to provide a service. He agreed. You paid him to perform this service. He could not. You should get your money back. And that nonrefundable $500 might just apply to the deposit. If you sue you might be able to recoup everything. But I would say wait, give him some time to do the right thing.

Did the DJ say how much of a partial refund he would give? I think I would ask for 1/3.

I understand computers sometimes act up, but it's the DJ's responsibility to ensure his equipment is in good working order. Any good photographer brings two cameras and many memory cards...seems like a DJ should have some backup emergency equipment as well.

And how does a DJ who does weddings NOT have the bridal march?!?!?!? This guy doesn't seem well prepared.

So he was there and did a lot, but failed in some areas. I just think a $400 refund would be fair.

He didn't give an amount. It was discussed during the reception because he kept apologizing to the misses.

That comparison to the photographer is a good one..I mean his backup while it was rebooting was his phone through the venue's AUX speakers/system

Did he perform any other services? Did he Em Cee? Did he make the announcements like ok its cake time and all that, get people on the floor, was he personable? Or did he just show up with a laptop and some speakers and screw it up?

As a DJ, I'd suggest the $700 the DJ claims is eligible is reasonable, and 100% wouldn't really be out of the question, depending on various circumstances. Basically, would you have hired this DJ for $500? Maybe, though you also consider that you would never find that poor of a DJ acceptable.

As for the contract, saying $500 isn't refundable, I'd guess it referred to the deposit and not for incompetence. He's already in breach of contract, unless it states he's allowed down time of a certain amount. He also, apparently had no backup equipment, otherwise he could have switched the faulty laptop out.

Somethings are just completely unacceptable, and that's OK.

Another thing, that I forgot about, was that he was playing 'slow elevator music' when people were eating.

Which some people may appreciate, but the Bride asked him to speed up the music and play more current music...

He told her, he would after the cake and toast...

If I am paying you this kinda money, and the misses asks you to play certain type of music, I expect that to be played, when she wants, not when you feel like it...

I'd ask for all of it, frankly. He's ruined his own contract.

Contact him one more time, then pursue it through your credit card and paypal.

Good luck. That sucks.

Oh, and be sure to leave a review, but after the refund. Be matter of fact, and feel free to mention the refund, but others deserve to hear both the positive AND negative of any potential vendor.

Ditto Celia Milton and Robert Benda.

I agree with Robert. Other people need to know. Pricewise, this isn't a CL dj or an amateur, though he certainly acted like one.

Shameful, really.

Wow ok, so he wouldn't even play what the bride requested???? He should give you a full refund, screw the $400! That's completely unacceptable. A DJ at a wedding is not doing to the job of a radio DJ. They are there to play what the bride and groom want, not what the DJ thinks people want.

Not sure about leaving a review...I felt that a partial refund would make it 'square.' As he did make announcements, and attempted to mingle.

Shaun, the review and the refund have nothing to do with each other. The refund is because he did a crappy job and didn't provide the promised service. The review is a tool to help future couples decide on the right vendor. NOT leaving a review, good or bad, is a disservice.

That's why your review shouldn't be a rant, just matter of fact. These were serious problems and others deserve to know. Just say here were the issues, here were the positives (if any) and go ahead and mention that he did the refund.

There are three things this DJ did that are NOT OK. Anyone might have been forgivable, three is out of the question (not having the wedding march, the failing laptop with no backup, and ignoring bride's instructions). I would have done a modest refund for anyone of those mistakes, and felt awful that you were disappointed in me. I also wouldn't have faulted you for a poor review.

I would ask for a complete refund. He failed to fulfill his obligations and also ruined the vibe of your wedding.

So, attached is his response...I have a few issues.

At the event he agreed to partial refund, with witnesses to attest to that. Now he is saying no ($200 refund) will be given until certain stipulations are met.

Few issues with his response

1.) Like I said before, music was provided when his laptop went down. But it was through his cell phone of the venue's poor speakers after a noticeable difference.(Clearly hear a difference)

2. He states he was only given the notification of 'Wedding March' hours before the wedding. I actually have facebook Messages, where he is notified that we want this song days prior to the Wedding. He said we could notify him of the songs on facebook or call him. Not to mention, this is a standard song for all weddings.

3. Even the songs that were on his request list, were not played. Because 'he couldn't find them.' No notification was given to me about that, till the day of the wedding. I would have given it to him, if I had known that.

4. No style of music was given? Facebook messages state otherwise. Also, I believe i if the Bride states don't play this music anymore. How hard is to oblige?

5.) He also wants this thread deleted...

If the new agreement is hard to read...click below...

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3966/1r0l.jpg

Take him to small claims court. Don't sign anything. Don't EVER agree to not posting about these issues publicly - as I said before, a review is for other potential clients. Everybody has a bad day, but if this is a pattern, others deserve to know.

For instance, a cell phone is not a sufficient backup to a laptop and I *would* consider that his fault - maintenance of basic equipment and backup is pretty standard. I don't get a free pass if I only bring one speaker and it doesn't work properly.

I just came across this post so thought I would respond. I've been DJing weddings for over 21 years, and will say that through my online planning system, couples have the option to pick out music that they want for pre-ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner music, as well as the music throughout the remainder of the evening. I know all of her wants and needs days before the wedding. I hold a consultation to specifically address the timeline, the songs, the formal dances and everything in between. And this DJ is specifically the reason why I recently wrote a book about how to avoid bad DJs.

As far as backups, I always have them ready to go. Technology is great, but can't always be trusted!