Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

[richymartin]

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

[leclerc]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

Is there a cancellation clause within the contract?

[richymartin]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

Is there a cancellation clause within the contract?

There was no contract, the above is all we have in writing....

[dan_1207]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

To begin, there's two options. The friendly, non-confrontational approach which politely sets out the circumstances and, in the absence of any contemporaneous agreement, you would ask that a full refund is made. The other option is a more formal letter, designed to place your photographer on notice that it is your intention to commence legal proceedings against them.

It sort of seems like you've already done the former, so perhaps the latter is something to consider? If so, I'd be happy to help with the wording of the letter, if you can set out a time line of what was paid, when, any agreement or conversations that happened, and when (and how) you cancelled the services of the photographer (compared to the wedding date).

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, and don't forego claiming back the deposit if there was no agreement that it was to be non-refundable. The position ought to be that it was to secure the date and that's that.

[enaid]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

If only a deposit was required why did you pay the full amount?

[richymartin]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

Only the deposit was paid at the time of booking. I actually only paid the final balance last week!

[MENTION=2727]dan[/MENTION]_1027 - that would be great thank you! I'll get some details together.

[nemesis45]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

If only a deposit was required why did you pay the full amount?

My thought too!

It appears to me that the payments have already been " spent" and the deposit has not been held separately.

I don't believe the photographer has a valid reason for not repaying at the very least all but the £200 deposit.
Letter before action asap.

nem

[paulajayne]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

Only the deposit was paid at the time of booking. I actually only paid the final balance last week!

.

Why?

[nemesis45]

Re: Wedding Photographer: "you cant have any money back"

Please let us see any letter you propose sending before you post it richy.

nem