Expert: Weddings Etc LLC - 10/15/2009

Question
my fiance and i just recently got engaged and i have a friend
who is a wedding cordinator.We gave her a deposit and have a reciept.The cordinator Taira booked a place to look at for the wedding and two hours before says she cant make it but my fiance and her mom went anyway and booked the event themselves,also she was supposed to sit down with us to write out a bugget the day of she says her kids are sick  along with her fiance.My fiance and her mom are getting a little irritated so i politly told my friend the cordinator that she needs to start stepping up or my fiance was going to go in another direction.She flipped out on me and on my fiance and threatened to beat her ass and everything else.This is no joke!anyways we havent even signed the contract yet and she told us she already spent the money on her wedding which the deposit was 750.00.So obviously we terminated her services,we would like to know if she is responsible for returning the full deposit.

                      thanks
                              mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

I'm so sorry you've had this experience.  This usually happens when working with someone who hasn't been properly trained or not taking their business seriously! Does she even have a contract?  She shouldn't have taken any money until the contract was signed.

Anyway, since you hadn't signed a contract then I would say she should refund the money.  If you had signed the contract, you'd need to read it and see if there's a clause (which most of us have) that states the deposit is non-refundable.  If she hasn't done anything then it would be reasonable to me that you should get the money back.  My suggestions would be to mention going to small claims court and maybe this will make her see you are serious.  

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Don't give up on getting a wedding coordinator, there's plenty of good ones out there who would be happy to help make your day special!