Vendor cancelled on me and now refuses to refund my deposit

What does your contract say about the meeting?

Also, if the deposit was non-refundable even if she's the one who backs out, there's probably nothing you can do about it.

Read the contract.

Yes read your contract! It usually states the terms if the vendor backs out

The contract says nothing about the deposit or the total fee, just the date, venue, start time etc.

This is a solo musician who is not with a larger company.

If she cancelled, she needs to return the deposit. But if you didn't put it on a credit card I don't know what recourse you have other than giving her very bad reviews online. Suing her will cost more than the deposit.

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The contract says nothing about the deposit or the total fee, just the date, venue, start time etc.

This is a solo musician who is not with a larger company.

If the rule is implied that non-refundable means even if the vendor cancels that would allow for any vendor to set fake dates, accept deposits, and then cancel to keep the money. Somehow I don't think that is the case unless you sign and agree to it.

Usually the contract should have a section about what happens if either party cancels. What does your contract say about that? How much was your deposit? You could try a quick claim in local court but it might not be worth it if your deposit wasn't that much. If that's the case, mark it as a lesson learned about going over contracts with a fine tooth comb and even requesting edits if necessary before you sign. Sorry you're dealing with this.

View Quoted Comment Let this be a lesson learned. You can try disputing the charge if you paid by CC but if she is solo then I’m thinking it was cash or check. For future, every vendor you hire should have a contract that details everything, whether solo vendor or not. All my vendors (minus the venue) were solo people without a big company. All had contracts that stated their terms regarding cancellations, payments etc n

How much was the deposit?

In the future be sure to get these terms laid out. If it's not in the contract, it doesn't exist. This musician should also learn that these are terms to put into a contract. Sometimes a letter threatening legal action works well enough to get your money back.

If she cancelled then she has to return your deposit. I'd have a lawyer just draft up a letter of intent to sue to scare her into giving it back. You don't pay for a meeting to discuss if you're going to hire them unless they're providing a service like a hair/makeup trial, food tasting etc.

For sure read the contact! This doesn’t seem right to me! That’s crazy she shouldn’t be allowed to do that.