When we booked our caterer we left a $1000 deposit on a credit card. Now we just received a bill due 3/15 for $2000 but we can only pay by cash or check. We called to ask if we could pay it on the credit card instead and they said they won't accept that because they lose money! I think that is ridiculous - did anyone else have this problem.
Sunny
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
I think I remember when I left my deposit they told us we can put it on a credit card, but all payments after could not. I remember we were upset because of all the miles we could be getting.
bride04
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
I think my caterer is the same. We have only paid by check so far. I definitely know that the final payment has to be cash, certified check or money order.
littlecat
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
This stinks! It is much easier to pay by credit card.
By the way, how do they get away with taxing the 18% service charge. You are not allowed to do that!!!
avesur
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
My hall also take only checks for the payments. the 18.5% of gratuity, is that 'the tip' for the personel that will be working that day for your wedding. However, people use to tip the Maitre, and the personal assitant of that day, but the 18.5% takes care of the rest.
groovypeg
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i was told that the tip for the maitre'd was separate from the 18.5 gratuity. why, i have no idea!
bride04
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I think someone said that they get away with taxing it because, they consider it a 'sevice charge' and not a tip/gratuity.
maysie18
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
My reception site is the same, they will let us make 1 payment on a credit card but they really discourage that & don't want to do it at all cuz it costs them $ they say, not sure how unless you use American Express which I know charges businesses a lot to accept their card.
I kinda think they just wanna get all the cash as fast as possible, jmo. They don't want to wait for the credit card to give it to them or whatever, most CC companies don't pay up immediately - at least w/checks it's what a 7 day wait.
We also have to pay the Maitre D fee in cash the night of the reception - no checks/m.o.'s. But that's it no other gratuity is included unless we choose to give it.
eroxgirl
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
Every vendor I've booked and every hall I went to said they only accepted credit cards for the initial payment, if at all. Look at the good side, at least you won't have the bills after the wedding!
Jodi73
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
My hall also only took CC for the first payment only!
ChristineC68
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
All credit cards charge a fee for authorizing and processing payments, often it's a percentage of the sale. While it's really inconvenient, look at it this way - if they get charged a fee, they would find some way to pass it on to the consumer
And like some one posted above, the gratuity is written up as a service charge which is taxable.
jar823
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
My catering hall wouldn't even take a credit card for the depost. It all has to be cash or check! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I don't know how I am going to come up with so much cash!!! Bummer. I think we are all in the same boat.
Rob-luvs-me
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
I think are a variety of reasons for the 18% and the no credit card policy. Most restaurants will automatically add the 18% to your check if you come in with a part of 8 or more. I figure they want to make sure that they get paid and not stiffed at the end of the night. Easier for them not to add it into the per person charge (which makes the bill look larger) Is it fair - maybe maybe not - guess that depends on how good your service is -
As far as the credit thing - well most companies I believe pay to accept credit services for the convinence of their customers. I personally think the reason vendors and caterers don't want to let you pay by credit is that they fear if anything goes wrong you call your credit card and dispute the charge and they don't get paid. It is better for them to make you take them to court (figuring most people won't bother) to get their money back if something happens to go wrong. JMO
Sassy
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Good explanation Christine my hall is the same way.
MarcellaBella
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I WISH I could have paid everything by ccc, I would have had SOOOO many miles, but we can't either. only cash (yeah right!) and check..
KFA5477
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
my hall does accept cc payment up and till 2 months before the wedding the remainder is in cash or money order I think the reason some halls don't accept cc is tax reasons it is easier to hide the money if it is cash
NIHA
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
Watermill told us no Credit cards unless we wanted to pay the fee/interest. Burtons also said no CC for the final payment. I tried to save and save, but what I did, just to make sure we had enough cash by the wedding date was I got a cash advance from one of my CC companies (which usually has a high interest rate and/or fee) and paid it back the day after I requested the advance with a 0% balance transfer deal with another one of my cards. So, I never paid any fees or interest for this balance transfer/cash advance and we paid it right back right after the wedding.
WithThisRing
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
My hall does not accept credit cards. Everything has to be check or money order or cash.
We are paying everything by check or cash because we dont want any bills after the wedding (except the usual video and photo whose last payment is when you pick up your video and album)
NovemberSue
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
Our hall didn't take credit card payments either. I guess they want to make sure they get their money.
endlessluv429
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Re: Did anyone run into this problem?
yea, i just asked my dad what they told him/us when we booked becuase i knew he had given a check for the deposit--but he (my dad) Just said he think they don't take credit cards because they lose money--especially if you call up and do it over the phone--i know they (the credit company) charges a lot to do that! especially with the big amounts we are talking about!
