Anyone have experience with getting their 'Non Refundable Deposit' Back?!

TheFutureMrsFreckles

Found a great venue...was promised the world. 2 months of not responding to multiple emails and phonecalls...couldn't move forward with planning. My frist few messages were understanding and polite...and got increasingly more 'worried' ("If you could please call me as I'm getting nervous").

After 2 months of NOTHING (I mean, missing an email? Okay. Missing multiple voicemails? Riiight.), coordinator EMAILS me (at this point, I think I deserve a phonecall and an apology, regardless of the situation). So she emails me basically backpedalling, Oh, she didn't get this emai, but she thought she responded to this one....Oh, what can have happened?! Pfff.

I don't want to move forward on this venue. It's way too unprofessional and I'd be waiting for the next screwup. I want my deposit back (have better venue option now). 

Has anyone gotten their 'non refundable deposit' BACK? I feel I have a right to it as it isn't because I've found a better venue, but that this one didn't come through or act professionally. Suggestions on how to handle this would be MUCH appreciated!  Thanks!

thatgrrrrl

sucks but non-refundable means just that.

*Barbie*

you're SOL.

DG1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_anyone-experience-getting-their-non-refundable-deposit-back?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:dd35de6b-33b5-43dd-921a-67e39f52af55Post:cf332fb3-859c-4cde-a190-b8c8d584e402">Anyone have experience with getting their 'Non Refundable Deposit' Back?!</a>:
[QUOTE]Found a great venue...was promised the world. 2 months of not responding to multiple emails and phonecalls...couldn't move forward with planning. My frist few messages were understanding and polite...and got increasingly more 'worried' ("If you could please call me as I'm getting nervous"). After 2 months of NOTHING (I mean, missing an email? Okay. Missing multiple voicemails? Riiight.), coordinator EMAILS me (at this point, I think I deserve a phonecall and an apology, regardless of the situation). So she emails me basically backpedalling, Oh, she didn't get this emai, but she thought she responded to this one....Oh, what can have happened?! Pfff. I don't want to move forward on this venue. It's way too unprofessional and I'd be waiting for the next screwup. I want my deposit back (have better venue option now).  Has anyone gotten their 'non refundable deposit' BACK? I feel I have a right to it as it isn't because I've found a better venue, but that this one didn't come through or act professionally. Suggestions on how to handle this would be MUCH appreciated!  Thanks!
Posted by TheFutureMrsFreckles[/QUOTE]

Honestly, you're probably screwed. 

But look at the contract just in case. If they aren't holding up their end of the contract, you may have the right not to hold up yours. (Note: I am not a lawyer.)

But once they have your deposit, it'll be tough to get it back. I'd move forward assuming you won't get it back (or won't get it back in a timely manner) and decide from there. Can you afford to book a different venue? Will you need to move forward with this one?

If you DO get a different venue, be sure the contract states something about timely communication and about their pre- and post- date commitments. Most places demand a nonrefundable deposit, but you might be able to put a date on it, like they need to refund it up to 90 days before the wedding or something.

If I were a venue, I probably wouldn't agree to those terms, since there is another sucker bride around the corner who won't make such demands.  But do think about what you're agreeing to and what their responsibilities are.

I can't tell you how many posts we see about "my venue just closed on me" or "the person I was talking to at the venue left and got another job!" Your "they won't return my calls/emails" is classic.

mrsconn23

I'm with the others, you're most likely SOL.

And DG is right, this is a dime-a-dozen problem.

If I were you, I'd show up at the venue in person and have a face to face meeting with the coordinator to discuss expectations.

Also, your wedding is over 10 months away.  If this is a place that does weddings all.the.time, they probably have brides with a lot more pressing needs than you. I'm not say no communication is professional by any means, but this is not an emergency.

AuntFlo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_anyone-experience-getting-their-non-refundable-deposit-back?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:dd35de6b-33b5-43dd-921a-67e39f52af55Post:976329fe-2917-4269-9138-1d1e90a6a20e">Re: Anyone have experience with getting their 'Non Refundable Deposit' Back?!</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Also, your wedding is over 10 months away.  If this is a place that does weddings all.the.time, they probably have brides with a lot more pressing needs than you. I'm not say no communication is professional by any means, but this is not an emergency</strong>.
Posted by mrs.conn23[/QUOTE]

^^^This^^^

nmhollinger

I can't even get the rest of my money that was not considered the "non-refundable deposit."  I paid $1200 in a deposit and anohter 953 at a later date.  I want the $953 back, but the guy refuses.

You're not getting your money back.

almost-a-bride

What is the rush? Are you completely dead set with using another venue? It is wedding season, so the venue may be really busy. I would set up a meeting with them to go over expectations. I'm sure they have not breached the contract, so if you do go with another venue, you will be SOL. Do you just want your money back because you found a better venue? Or would you be willing to work with the current venue?

TheFutureMrsFreckles

Thanks, guys

I'd be willing to work with my current venue, but they simply don't seem interested. Even when they did respond, it was short and rude. And I've, well, been very accomodating and pleasant.

I understand it isn't an emergency. It's simply unprofessional and makes me nervous that this will become routine behaviour. Not to mention I was promised to be called when she had a June wedding set up, and for a more detailed tour *sigh*

I'm still going to attempt to get my $$ back, but am glad to know others' experience. Thnks again.

TheFutureMrsFreckles

Update:

Was VERY smooth and firm on the phone; kept it pleasant but damn direct. Got the deposit back; Switched venues. Yay.