Hi Everyone! I'm new to the site and I'm an '08 North Ritz Bride! Ok, here's my dilemma...FH and I booked a photographer and now we're having second thoughts about them. The reviews on here have been kind of mixed as well. We truly love another photographer and they are still available for our wedding date. Here's the problem! We were willing to cancel and just switch even if we had to lose our deposit, but now after re-reading the contract it says the that deposit is non-refundable, and in the event the contract is cancelled within one month of signing, we are required pay an additional $650! And if it is after 60 days, we must agree to pay the entire contract within 30 days of cancelling. We booked in May! I think that is ridiculous and cannot believe I didn't notice all of this sooner! Now it looks like I'm stuck with them and I feel miserable! :(
GrkBride08
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Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do or been in a similar situation?
NicoleRN76
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FH and I booked a photographer back in January. After joining LIW i learned that i LOVE photojournalistic pictures and specifically loved the pics i saw on this website of one company in particular.
This other company was available for our date... but I was going to lose my $800 deposit with the other (photo & video). I told the new company this and he was able to absorb some of the fees and he matched the price of video from the other place. Now the package I have is SO much more for even less money total now. (hope that made sense).
If you really like this new company, explain your problem and bargain with them...ask them if there is any way for them to absorb maybe half the total cost of your loss! Cant hurt to ask.
I am SO DONE worrying about my pics now... sometimes relief is worth the money and a happy bride as my FH said is PRICELESS =)
Good luck!
~Nicole
jteach711
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Agreed. I was booked w/ one co. and fell in love w/ another so I lost my $800 deposit. I think that is ridiculous to have to pay for services that weren't given to you yet. I would call and discuss this w/ them. Since it is so far away till your wedding I know they could book your date w/ someone else and not lose out themselves. good luck and keep us posted
missK
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That stinks. If I read that I may have had to wonder why they put that clause in the cancellation policy. Maybe see if you can transfer your contract to someone else that would have gotten your package. See if there is a clause that says no transfers and then go to craigs list and sell for a discount. If you lose some its not as bad as all Good Luck
JTsGal829
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i agree... you have time until your wedding.. i'm sure they can book that date and not lose out on the money. To have you pay for a service you aren't using is crazy! i can understand the deposit.. but that's just ridiculous. I would call and talk to them and also explain the situation to the new photographer and they may surprise you with how accommodating they may be!
LeslieMike
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If worst comes to worst, you could always tell them you will contact the better business bureau because that is a lot of money to give them for NO reason at all, and it wasnt that long ago you booked. I can see it being a problem for them if it was a few months before your wedding, but not at this point in time!!!
GrkBride08
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Thanks girls! I'm going to try and see what I can do.
GrkBride08
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If they don't let me cancel without paying, I will have to pay them the remaining $6,500 left on my contract. I can't afford to do that and book the new guy. I'm gonna call and see what happens. Any ideas on excuses I could possible give to get out of it?
wo0shply
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would your photographer be able to do engagement pictures for that price? Maybe the rehersal dinner? So at least you wont lose all you money?
NicoleRN76
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Posted by wo0shply
would your photographer be able to do engagement pictures for that price? Maybe the rehersal dinner? So at least you wont lose all you money?
thats a great idea! maybe they can do that!
minibride08
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I was booked with another photog too and ended up cancelling b/c we was in the same situation as you. Saw other styles/photogs we liked better. We ended up applying our deposit toward our video with photog #1. Our deposit was $300 more than what the video cost, so really that's all we lost. With our photog now (DUET :) we actually ended up saving $$ overall. I have to say, cancelling with photog #1, although we dreaded it, was not that bad of a call. They understood our apprehension and because we had so much time, they let us cancel the remaining portion with no problem. I agree that if they do give you a hard time, don't be afraid to bring up the Better Business Bureau! And, trust me, the piece of mind with switching and going with your gut is worth it!!
bella1028
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I am not sure but I have read other posts from girls who have said that depending on the location of your vndor they have to by law refund you...I am not certain that I am correct but it is worth looking into...apparently there is a thread on here already with that topic
alymikewedding08
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that's nuts!!!
I really hope you are able to get atleast some of it back!!
DiamondPipa
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that's horrible! never heard of such a thing.
jteach711
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Who is this photographer that does this
DLM107
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I was originally booked with Duet for my wedding. I loved loved loved them. Unfortunately, I had to move my wedfding date up and they were booked for my new date. I was really upset about that. I spoke to somebody at Duet and they said they needed a letter stating why I would no longer be using them and the situation. I read over my contract and it stated that if you cancel you are responsible for paying the full amount of what is owed if the date does not get rebooked. I was stressing over that. I wrote a letter stating my situation and how I really wanted to use them but they were not available. I also had my doctor write a letter stating the reason for the wedding move. I received a letter back from Duet stating that they were unable to refund my whole deposit but they would give me 50% and not make me responsible for the rest of the money owed if not rebooked. I thought that was really nice of them!! Hey 50% is better than nothing. I am sure you can work something out. Good Luck!!
