Wedding photographer refusing to refund ANY money

[richy_martin]

Hi,

 

After some advice (as are most people here I guess!)

 

We paid in full for the services of a photographer for our wedding, in August 2015. Due to personal circumstances we've cancelled the whole day, therefore we don't need a photographer any more!

 

I called (and emailed) her to inform her of the cancellation, only to be told she "couldn't take that much of a loss, Ill give you 100% of your money back if I get another booking on that day"

 

So in other words she's keeping all £800 we gave her! a £200 deposit was agreed to secure the date, there is no mention of this being 'non-refundable'

 

We didn't sign a contract, however we received the following in writing after paying the deposit'

 

'Deposit for wedding photography to be taken at venueX, on date X. To include all photographs & Album X.

Total £200 bank transfer, received with thanks"

 

How can we get her money back? We were more than willing to forfeit the £200 even though there was no non-refundable statement, but we cant just throw £800 away

 

Many thanks

 

Rich

[i hate bailiffs]

Write to them a letter before action stating that you require the money back in the next 7 days

Other wise you will issue court proceeding

It is a simple process that can be done online

And should see results

 

If you obtain a ccj against them you can pass it on for enforcement through hceo or bailiffs

[richy_martin]

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

So i'm right in thinking she didn't have any legal grounds at all to say what she did?

[GrumpyToSayTheLeast]

Do you have receipts for the 800 or just the 200?

 

Photographers are booked months, if not years in advance. 2 months is very short notice to cancel, and I cab see the court siding with the photographer here as its 2 weeks work she will now probably not be able to fill.

[richy_martin]

I have receipts for both,

 

The strange thing is we actually only booker her ourselves a few weeks ago! She had a cancellation for the same date we wanted.

 

She has nothing anywhere to state cancellation timescales and non-refundable amounts, does that count for anything?

[Conniff]

There are probably thousands who can only dream of earning £200 per week, let alone per day.

 

 

How did you make payment ?

[richy_martin]

Good point! It was a bank transfer