WWED

BethP937

CN: Traveling hair and makeup artist has been flaky, but guaranteed count is due in just a few days. Her close relative (not parent or sibling) died a week ago. What is the proper way to get her to schedule my trial, give me a day of schedule, email me back at all, etc. given the extreme time crunch without looking too pushy?

I put a deposit down for a traveling hair and makeup artist back in the spring for my October wedding. (The deposit covers the trial cost and holds the date). I don't live in the state where the wedding will be held, and I told the MUA this when I booked. She said no problem, we'll get the trial in when I make a trip back. Made an appointment for June, which she cancelled after I had already driven back to the wedding city. It was a child care issue. 

I told her there were only 3 weekends left to do the trial - 3 weekends in August. She picks the very last possible day, then cancels the day of due to a death in the family. She says her assistant will contact me to reschedule. I never hear from the assistant. The trial was supposed to be last Sunday, I finally emailed her directly on Friday because I don't even know who her assistant is.

Here's my dilemma. My guaranteed count is due in 3 days, after that I'm locked in for me and my bridesmaids. I don't have a trial scheduled. I don't have a day of schedule. I don't trust this woman now. But I also feel like a horrible person for bugging her after a death in the family. What would you do? How hard would you push her to get her act in gear? Would you just move on now and try to find a salon instead?

HockeyFan4

stage: I think she means a count for how many BMs are getting hair and MU. 

I would start looking for someone else.  And contact her for a refund.

BethP937

The guaranteed count is with the hair and makeup artist, not the venue. I have to tell her a month out how many people need services, as well as which services they want. After that, I'm on the hook for paying for all of it. If I hate the trial, which I cannot now have before the guaranteed count is due, then I'm completely screwed and can't back out. (Or if I do I'm out hundreds of dollars). That's assuming I even get a trial.

  

walgrrl

I agree with pp.  At this point, I would definitely start trying to find someone else and I would be trying to get a refund from her.

MrsGandthebeag

I'd also find someone else.  Send her an email letting her know you're sorry for her loss, but you'll be going with another professional.  Say it in a nice way, not how I just wrote it.  I hope you can get your deposit back.  I assume you have some sort of contract with this person.

BethP937

{The Knot ate my first attempt at this}

The deposit is non-refundable, but maybe she'll be a decent human being and return it anyway. Even if I lose it, I'd rather not be worried about this for the next month. She gets stellar reviews on my local board. She's one of the first people mentioned whenever anyone looks for recommendations. I never thought for a second she'd be such a flake.

achiduck

I would find someone else. I understand that things do come up, but it sounds like it's always something with her. 

zizibet

As far as the deposit being non-refundable, I'd point out to her that she's breached the contract. not you. She's cancelled twice now, when she was well aware that you live OOT. and couldn't reschedule easily. If you refuses to refund your money, I'd tell her I'd see her in small claims court and I'd also be contacting her local BBB and posting reviews that reflect this behavior online.

BethP937

Thanks everyone. She contacted me today after I posted this (I wonder if she knots!). We've scheduled another trial run for this weekend, and she's agreed to wait until after it to finalize my guaranteed headcount for her services. I looked back through all of her reviews and no one ever said she didn't show up on the day of the wedding, so I'm going to trust that she values her reputation enough to not screw me the day of. We will have some backup plans just in case, though.

In the meantime, I'm also going to see if the hair stylist I use in the area can also pencil me in, just in case the traveling hair and MUA no shows the third trial appointment. The salon isn't in a convenient location for the wedding day, and I really liked the idea of not driving around trying to rush to appointments the day of the wedding. But it will be nice to have a potential Plan B if this weekend doesn't go well.

Thanks for all of your input. It's nice to know I'm not insensitive for contacting her and making my needs very clear.