Vendor changing price 2 weeks out... after payment has been made in full?

Yea OP I dunno. It sounds like these people are kinda shady. I'd bring up the word lawyer to see if it scares them a little.

Biting your tongue and complying because you're afraid they won't show up is nonsense. This is not a business I'd trust with such an important event.

Wasn't there someone on here one time that had a similar issue (with their venue) and some of the lawyers on here said something about once the money is deposited that's legally binding? Maybe I totally made that up but it's something to ask your lawyer about!

If there is no contract, there is no contract. This goes both ways. If they aren't bound by a contract, neither are you. Find a different company if you can and send notice demanding repayment for what you have paid to this one.

I think you need to read over the estimate because typically on there they have a date of how long the estimate is good for. I know in my line of work that most estimates are only valid for 30 days. You may be stuck and nothing you can do.

They're going to play the "Look, it says right here that it's an estimate" card. An estimate is not a written contract, in fact, it is by definition: "to judge tentatively or approximately the value, worth, or significance of, to determine roughly the size, extent, or nature of, or to produce a statement of the approximate cost of." The fact that the estimate isn't initialed or signed makes it even more complicated. The written contract is proof that there was a meeting of the minds between the service provider and the client. Their signature and your signature are what execute a contract.

What about the small print on this estimate? Does it say anything like, "This is an estimate and not a legally binding agreement. Prices are subject to change"?

I think what they did was highly unprofessional -- they should have never taken your money without a contract in place, but I think they have the stronger position. I would continue to push -- did you make your last payment by check? If you wrote PIF in the memo, the strength of your position gets better (a check is a contract, btw, and if they cashed a check that said PIF, the debate is pretty much over).

I'm wondering if they even have a standard contract for clients to sign. Ask for a copy to see what the real thing would have looked like, and then ask them why they didn't ask you to sign one when you them your first payment.

PS: What do you mean you can get by with less chairs? Are you referring to declines? If you can get by with less, then do it.

The Centerpiece Flowers,

Yes, the only fine print on the estimate was that "the reservation is complete when the deposit has been made."

There was no next step in place where we were supposed to sign anything. According to them, the reservation was complete when we sent the money.

I'm just confused... according to what they're saying they could change the price the day before, or the day of...

This doesn't seem right at all to me, now I know better and will request a written contract... labeled a contract in the future. Thanks guys, it's a shame people can't just be honest and straightforward... I feel like they're used to just getting away with this because people shake off changes like this here and there for weddings.

When did you send the payment, did they deposit it, and when did they reach out to you to let you know that they didn't have that quantity of chairs at that price?

Giving them the benefit of the doubt... do they have a pricing sheet anywhere that you can request or reference? Pricing can change and I wonder if they changed their pricing in the months between the original estimate and now? I'd personally want to see an old and new pricing list with the date change though Did they tell you right away that they no longer had the right number of chairs? If you didn't have a reservation or deposit with them for your date and quantity then it's possible they had other bookings for your date and no longer have that inventory.

ETA: When did you pay the 40% deposit to complete the reservation?

They gave the estimate once we finalized the numbers and we paid immediate after, in the same day it was sent. The prices are listed on their website, and they confirmed the same price via email multiple times throughout the process. They told us we were set immediate after, and then a few days later emailed us to tell us that they did not have enough chairs (not a big deal.. but we had already paid for them) and that they would need to charge us more per chair. I'm all for giving the business the benefit of the doubt as well, and tried to make sense of this, but the way they've been speaking to us and the excuses made have given both of us the impression they are trying to trick us out of money, not just lacking organization. We did purchase in a package deal with our venue... so maybe they have others willing to purchase full-price and they're trying to bump us out?

@wwLynnie, the payment was sent the same day as the final estimate... which was acting as the "bill" they wanted us to pay based off of.

I don't think they've deposited it, but they sent back a receipt of sorts with "paid" the amount and the check number.

Thanks @Hailey! No more benefit of the doubt from me! When you paid your deposit and they acknowledged receipt of your payment, then you reserved that amount of chairs at that price. Definitely push back!!

It's in writing. It's legal. Stand your ground.

Are they charging you more per chair for each chair you are renting? Or more per chair for the extra chairs? I agree with @the D to look for other options but I also say consult with an attorney. This will likely be an issue that involves some phone calls and time to review the estimate they provided you. Depending on the hourly rate of the attorney, it shouldn't cost that much.

Check with a lawyer. You didn't have a signed contract but if it was acknowledged that you paid this estimate "in full", it becomes a quotation which should have locked in the price.

Thanks everyone! I stood my ground and they backed off on the price increase. I appreciate the input!

I'm glad it worked out for you, Hailey. I hope you have a wonderful wedding this weekend!