Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warning

Dear brides,

I am not posting this to upset anyone, I just am very Discousted and want to get the word out. I canceled my contract with the Imperial Manor. Let me tell you about my experience with the Imperial Manor....

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Judy, I couldn't help but respond to your posting. Although I can sympathize with what you are going through (losing deposit money, emotional stress, etc.) I also can't stand by and say that the Management is completely wrong. It clearly states on the bottom of the contract, right before you sign on the dotted line that in the case of cancellation or termination of contract, that the signees are responsible for 1/2 the cost of the affair, unless Imperial Manor or the signees can find someone to assume the contracted date. If they or yourselves do find someone to assume the date, you are entitled to your full deposit AFTER the contracted date (which in your case would be June). It is unfortunate that you paid them additional monies over the initial deposit and I can understand why you did it. However, they are a business and have to protect themselves against loss. What if someone cancelled an affair two days before it was supposed to go off? They've already planned for the food, staff, etc. I don't necessarily agree with the terms of the contract, but it is a signed agreement nonetheless. I was prepared to experience the same outcome (having to pay out 1/2 the cost of an affair if the date didn't get rebooked) when I cancelled my first contract with them. However, when I returned to I/M to reinstate the contract six months later, the management team remained (in my own opinion) very accomodating and professional. They reinstated it without penalty and they are applying the original deposit towards the second contract. It is not possible to forsee cancellations and they do often happen. And I know that alot of people do get burned by those within the wedding industry. But I have to disagree with you when you say that Imperial Manor does not care about it's clientel or that they are not professionals. If they were not, they would not be in business for as long as they have.

To all Brides to Be: read your contracts! Know all the in's and outs of all agreed upon terms. It's not the businesses fault if you chose not to ask. Protect yourself when considering all wedding vendors.

Did you look in Macy's or JC Pennys? They had a nice selection and were pretty reasonable. Thought I might add that sugestion if you get out to Rosevelt Field Mall ever.

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Sharon is right!! It is unfortunate that you might loose your deposit, but if you signed the contract, you agreed to the terms!! Ladies hold on to your money until the ABSOLUTE payment date! Put it in the bank and earn interest, why should they earn interest on your money for a year, and sometimes longer. We hear about wedding vendors going out of business and skipping town all of the time. Unfortunately we also hear about Brides being forced to cancel their weddings for unforeseen circumstances. Put yourself in a positions so that if this happens to you, you have only have the minimum to loose! Judy I am sorry to hear about your deposit, but I am sure that everything will work out, and you are going to have a beautiful destination wedding!

Jamelle

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Hi Sharon,

It states that you have to pay 50% but because my minimum was so small I had already paid for more then the 50%. I had paid Much more then the 50%. I had given them a minimum guarentee of only 50 guests even though I had expected 75+. They have to refund what is the excess to that 50% you speak about. When and if the hall books that date I am entitled to the total refund of the moneys that they keep. If he cant even write me a check for what I am owed then how am I to trust that he will be honest and not just SAY that the room was not booked in June 00 even if it was? I know exactly what you are saying, and you are totally right about contracts that protect business from brides backing out on them. But what protects us brides when the business doesnt hold up to there end of the deal. It was Jim himself, as well as Patricia who works for them that told me that I am entitled to the two thousand dollars to be refunded to me. He put it in writing himself on the top of my contract. So in this case YES the managment of the Imperial Manor is not holding up to THEIR part of the bargan. After all there was no problem with them taking much more then the 50% you are talking about so long in advance. If thats the case why it it taking him so long to refund the moneys that are owed back to me? Sharon he acted like an angry child when he relised that I was right, I was speachless. I can not speak for other peoples experiences dealing with them, but I can be honest and tell others of my personal experience.

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Jamelle,

Thanks for what you said :)I just want whats owed to me, I know the 50% is a gonner, I just want what was promised in writing from him and he didnt even do that, sad! I agree about making buisnesses wait for their moneys, live and learn! When does learning the hard way ever end?! LOL, the consulting place thats booking my wedding in april will get there money On its due by date! :)*

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Hi Judy,

You are absolutely right. Your contract had been amended in writing, by the management. Of course you are going to lose the 50%, etc, but they AGREED in writing to give you back anything in excess of that. It would be your loss if they ran off with the "extra" payments, but I just looked at my contracts, and anything OVER the deposit I am supposed to get back if I cancel!!! It does not make sense that they can just "keep" payments! They are only legally entitled to the deposit plus some percentage of the affair (depending on your contract). So, of the $3000 over that you paid, less your deposit and fees, you are entitled to that money!!!

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Dear Ayanna, and everyone else who responded or even took the time to hear me out :)*

Thanks for your input. I still cant believe I have to go through all this. Its good to hear that you knew of others who had no problem getting the portion of their payment to the caterer returned to them. I think the whole situation is crazy, just be an honest business man and return my money that excedded the 50%. He said that Monday was the day the accountant comes in and that I should call in the afternoon before I come in. Yes I plan on calling him, friday to remind him and monday at 10am to tell him I am coming down for my check.

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Hey Judy!

Nightmares, huh? Your nerves are getting the best of you... Let's pray that he has your check! I agree that you should call on Friday to remind him and then call on Monday and find out the best time to pick it up! If he does not have your check--GO OFF!!!!! Money is not a game that he can play with and be very stern with this guy! Let him know that you mean business and that your next step will be to contact your "uncle" who is an attorney (a small un-truth). I know that you need the money, but if he does give you the run-around, you have a valid contract so you have every right to take him to court. That doesn't help much now, but you at least have a final recourse.

I figure that, though he sounds like a real schmuck, he is a business man so he probably will reluctantly give you your money back!!!

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Since no one is asking the question, I thought I should. Judy, did you get the money back from I/M?

Good Luck ! Lorraine

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Judy,

Did you ever get the money back? Also, I will never use Imperial Manor for anything now.

Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated, since I'm doing the flowers myself (silk) ahead of time, and as much as I love Patchogue Floral, I don't want to make too many trips there.

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

I think it's unfair that Imperial Manor is being bashed and is getting bad publicity based on one person's experience there. I too, have my affair planned there and they have been nothing but accomodating to all my needs. Why not try getting both sides of the story before you form an opinion about a business? We still don't know if Judy received the money or not.

If anyone has any prior experiences with Imperial Manor, good or bad, I'd love to hear them (so would we all! - even from a vendors prospective!).

Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated, since I'm doing the flowers myself (silk) ahead of time, and as much as I love Patchogue Floral, I don't want to make too many trips there.

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

I looked at the Imperial Manor in the Fall '99. I arrived a few minutes early for my appointment. After finding the management office and inroducing myself, I was greeted with "You're early", instead of "I will be with you in a few minutes". I sat in silence waiting for her to finish her work. After all menus and prices were discussed, she said would be unable to show me the room I would need based on the number of people I was expecting. I was very annoyed that I had traveled all the way there and could not even see the reception room. She knew based on our phone conversation that I needed that specific room for x amount of guests. It was very poor planning on her part to invite me when there was already an event scheduled long in advance (Christmas around the world demonstration) After expressing my feelings in a polite way, I was told that she could explain how it looked compared to the other rooms I saw. I decided to leave immediately before I got nasty. I cannot trust a business to plan correctly for an entire wedding night when they do not schedule a 15 min. appt. without conflict or a display of concern. She didn't even let me peek in the door. Showing the hall is an important first step in securing a potential wedding booking. Imperial Manor blew it!

If anyone has any prior experiences with Imperial Manor, good or bad, I'd love to hear them (so would we all! - even from a vendors prospective!).

Any help in this area would be greatly appreciated, since I'm doing the flowers myself (silk) ahead of time, and as much as I love Patchogue Floral, I don't want to make too many trips there.

Imperial Manor of Bethpage....Important Warnin

Before I begin, first off I would like to address Sharon. I didnt mean to offend anyone, (especially you)and I speak only of my own personal experience. I know others may go there and have a great experience. I wish my own had gone as well.

Sharon, I remember our first discussions we shared when we found out that we were using the same caterer. As you remember the whole "Magic Garden" story (A name Sharon and I came up with) (For those who wouldnt know what I am refering to... When I booked my wedding back in april 1999 I was told by the management of the Imperial Manor that a garden for photography would be compleated in June of 1999.) Sharon and I were concerened when it was september and no construction had even yet begun. ( yes eventually the gardens were compleated). The point I am getting to is that when I called and spoke with Jim (the manager) he told me that I was mistaken about the date of compeation. I know I am not mistaken. He seems to blame the other staff for any information that was given to me. He went so far as to say the others who work in the catering office make statements to brides that they shouldnt be making.

When I went to him that day to cancel my wedding he questioned the price I was paying per-plate, asking why I was charged so much. That was a little un-nerving.