Vent and advice needed!!

xo09xo Posted: May 21, 2009 04:36 PM

Vent and advice needed!!

Ok, so in Feb I contacted a string duo (not a vendor on here) for my ceremony. I was told to send a $150.00 deposit and my info regarding the wedding for them to write up the contract. In Feb they cashed my check but did not send me the contract for me to sign. I have called numerous times and they keep telling me it will be send out shortly as they are busy. I also had to re-send my wedding info on 3 seperate occassions. To this day still no contract!! I have been calling for the past 3 days and no call or email response. Just now I call again and he answers telling me it is not a good time for him to speak because he is driving. I ask him when would be a better time to call me back and he says sometime tomorrow. So now I am starting to freak out!! Should I just ask him for my deposit back? My wedding is less than 4 months away and no music for my ceremony. I already know that it will be difficult to find another string duo who is not booked for my day. Uggg, I don't know what to do!! Sorry so long!!

MrsBtobe2009 Posted: May 21, 2009 04:46 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I would research other vendors before definitely cancelling with this one, but I would try to get your money back. There is no excuse for such poor professionalism.

If you could find someone else to do your wedding, I would cancel.

Felice917 Posted: May 21, 2009 04:48 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I would be very concerned at this point. Getting your deposit back would probably be the safe thing to do, and it is certainly understandable based on the service you have received so far. However, based on the fact that you have such a hard time getting in touch with him, I would say that it will probably be very difficult to get the deposit back. Do they have a store front or address? If so, go down there and wait until they open to speak to someone and get your deposit back asap.

In the mean time, start calling around for a back up, and reserve them.

Good luck!

MrsDR2010 Posted: May 21, 2009 04:58 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

Posted by MrsBtobe2009

I would research other vendors before definitely cancelling with this one, but I would try to get your money back. There is no excuse for such poor professionalism.

If you could find someone else to do your wedding, I would cancel.

I totally agree. I am so sorry that you have to go through this 4 months before your wedding. Definaely shop around.....someone must have your date available.

HotAir Posted: May 21, 2009 05:47 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

That really stinks. I wonder why they are so against giving you a contract?

Would you mind FMing me the company? I have one booked that isn't on this site too and this makes me nervous!

drivwal Posted: May 21, 2009 06:27 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

i agree research other vendors and try to get your deposit back

StaceYums81 Posted: May 21, 2009 06:37 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

Definitely get your money back! That is so unprofessional = (Not a good time because I'm driving?? THen why the hell did u answer the phone??)

JAAMS Posted: May 21, 2009 07:00 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I say look around and try to find another vendor.

If you can't, request an appointment with this group and sort this out in person.

tbmaz2011 Posted: May 21, 2009 08:23 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

OH NO!!!

Do they have an address - maybe you should tell the guy that you want to meet in person to discuss the music that is going to be played - you might be able to trick them into getting your contract.

Although you shouldn't have to trick any vendor into sending you a contract.

Good Luck - I hope you figure everything out.

jlt2010 Posted: May 21, 2009 10:10 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

i would definitely get your money back and look for another vendor. if they are slacking before your wedding think about how late they are going to be on the day of.

MCA1180 Posted: May 21, 2009 10:42 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

Def get your money back and find someone else... This is completely inexcusable and no way to do business... I would raise hell if I had to, go in person and don't leave until you get your $$$.

MrsCM Posted: May 21, 2009 10:43 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I would ask for it back and for future reference NEVER send a deposit til you have a signed contract because, not to freak you out more but he could just not show and you have nothing in writing stipulating the terms of the contract.

mlcvln129 Posted: May 21, 2009 11:01 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

Is this a string duo that works wedding gigs as a profession, or is this a duo that plays gigs on the side? There's a HUGE difference, speaking from a musician's perspective.

Whenever I play weddings, usually a friend calls me and 'contracts' me--'I need a violinist for a wedding gig, are you free?' is pretty much the extent of the commitment. I show up, play what I need to, and walk out with the cash after an hour or so. I've never had to sign a contract, nor have I provided one--or my friend acting as contractor, for that matter. Speaking from experience, many freelance musicians who play wedding gigs aren't going to demand a contract or necessarily provide one. (No offense.) We book the gig, show up 30-45 minutes before, play and get paid. This is how FH and I are handling the musicians--since they're mostly all friends, and whatever 'loose ends' have to be tied with instrumentation, they'll take care of and then tell us how much we owe that person.

NOW, if this is a duet that 'gigs out' at weddings professionally (ie. is registered as an official business venture), then I would expect to see a contract.

MrsCM Posted: May 21, 2009 11:08 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

Posted by mlcvln129

Is this a string duo that works wedding gigs as a profession, or is this a duo that plays gigs on the side? There's a HUGE difference, speaking from a musician's perspective.

Whenever I play weddings, usually a friend calls me and 'contracts' me--'I need a violinist for a wedding gig, are you free?' is pretty much the extent of the commitment. I show up, play what I need to, and walk out with the cash after an hour or so. I've never had to sign a contract, nor have I provided one--or my friend acting as contractor, for that matter. Speaking from experience, many freelance musicians who play wedding gigs aren't going to demand a contract or necessarily provide one. (No offense.) We book the gig, show up 30-45 minutes before, play and get paid. This is how FH and I are handling the musicians--since they're mostly all friends, and whatever 'loose ends' have to be tied with instrumentation, they'll take care of and then tell us how much we owe that person.

NOW, if this is a duet that 'gigs out' at weddings professionally (ie. is registered as an official business venture), then I would expect to see a contract.

This is how everything works in our circle as well 'I'm putting together a duo/quarter/quintet on this date, etc'

Sweeteey51 Posted: May 21, 2009 11:31 PM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I would ask but he may not give you your deposit back, personally they wouldnt have gotten a deposit without a contract from me. Seems like they are giving you the runaround. I would go elsewhere they are not reliable.

caper24 Posted: May 22, 2009 12:17 AM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I am sure in 4 months you can find another string duo. I just booked mine and my wedding is only 2 months away. There are plenty of sites out there. I tried mariestack.com and there were plenty of musicians to choose from, check it out, it couldn't hurt. HTH

Cassie15 Posted: May 22, 2009 01:37 AM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your ordeal. Try Ten Strings Music Studio, contact info is on my wedding review. Contact Alice, she's the best. They were amazing on my wedding day. I'm sure she can work something out for your ceremony. Def report the vendor to BBB. That's really dishonest and outrageous. Businesses like that really deserve to be posted on Hall of Shame. Even better yet, contact a news station, I watch Fox 5 and Channel 11 WPIX- Howard, they always review and feature stories each week where they contact a local business based on someone's complaint and interview them so they can be exposed to the public of their operations. It doesn't hurt to try. As for the deposit, unless you contact BBB it's going to be really hard to get it back. It would to have to go through court.

xo09xo Posted: May 22, 2009 11:32 AM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

This is a String Quartet that does wedding gigs as a profession. They do not contract out other musicians to do the weddings. I did ask him these questions before hiring them. I do feel that he wanted me to add on the cocktail hour after I sent the deposit. Everytime I speak to him he says do you need us for the cocktail hour as well since we will already be there for the ceremony. Each time I reply no, just the ceremony. I think I have not received my contract in hopes that they are hired by someone else for both so he can make more $$. Trust me, I am mad at myself for sending a deposit without having a contract in hand. I should know better than that!!

MrsList Posted: May 23, 2009 08:14 AM

Re: Vent and advice needed!!

Next time you talk to him, tell him if you don't get your contract within 5 days, you're filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and you'll be forced to write a negative review of their service on liweddings and theknot.com. That should spring him into action. Vendors don't need bad publicity with this economy and a million options out there.