Can you get deposits back? Sorry giant post!

gtyrel

Hi,

Some of you may of seen my earlier post regarding help around sorting my debts, and will know that i recently cancelled my wedding. I had a large number of things booked for my wedding and was wondering if its possible to claim back deposits or even the best way of asking.

There is only really two main ones i am trying to get back, one is my photographer. which i booked in June 2010 for my wedding in May 2012, in June we paid her £250 deposit, and were due to pay another £500 in September 2010. My partner had left by the time September came but had said that it was for "thinking time" and told me to make sure i paid the photographer because he was coming back, so i paid the photographer the extra £500. 5 days later he decided we were over and i phoned and cancelled the photographer who said that if i had told her before the £500 was paid i wouldnt of had to pay it but now its paid i can't get it back. I just thought this seems odd as i have given her plenty of time to know doubt get another wedding on the day mine was, she has said that i can use the £500 for another of her services (but i dont have much need for a wedding photographer) does anyone know if it would be possible to try and get this back or the best way to go about asking.

the second one was our wedding rings, we bought these through a company called smooch who make your rings, so again in May 2010 the salesman came to our house we picked our rings and paid £325 deposit, and then on a 0% payment scheme started paying £33.25 a month, now they do not make your rings until you have paid in full, all our payments would of been finished in Jan 2012, meaning thats when they would begin making our rings. When i cancelled the order of the rings in September 2010, i was given back all the monthly payments i had made but not the deposit.

I totally understand that the point is in deposits so that if people cancel the supplier doesnt loose out however, in both of these situations neither supplier has lost anything, the ring company hadnt even began making rings.

sorry if i have posted this in the totally wrong place, just trying to get some help as i have lost a alot of money from cancelling the wedding (£1500) and i think if i could get some of this back it could go along way towards helping the mess i am currently in.

thanks for reading
xx

iamana1ias

That's what insurance is for. You're not entitled to your deposits back.

ceejaydee23

that extra £500 you paid the photographer wasn't a "deposit" so there for you SHOULD be given that payment back! it was an instalment which is entirely different in my opinion, but unluckily, deposits as you say are often more then case non-refundable and will say so in the paperwork signed at the time.

karenlyth25

iamana1ias wrote: »

That's what insurance is for. You're not entitled to your deposits back.

An insurance policy doesnt cover a groom changing his mind!!!!

gtyrel

Hi, everyone thanks for your comments. Yea i did think that but thought it was worth a shot asking about! its really the £500 that is most annoying, as we paid that cash when i could of cleared off a big bit of my credit card bill. then the £325 from the ring company my mum thinks i should of got them to just give me a ring worth the £325 then sell the ring on, but no idea if they would do that!

gtyrel

iamana1ias wrote: »

That's what insurance is for. You're not entitled to your deposits back.

I know im not entitled to my deposits back, i just feel because neither of these services lost out with my cancelling what with 2 years advance warning i thought there might be more of a way of playing of companies goodwill and reputation.

Verbatim

What is your ex paying for?

gtyrel

Verbatim wrote: »

What is your ex paying for?

Nothing, the credit card was in my name.

So he was not very clever when it came to actual things but he got it right when he new he could walk away without paying a penny! when he first left he gave me alot of rubbish about helping me because it was our joint debt and he wanted to make sure i was ok, but then he just decided he couldnt afford to, which i no isnt true as he earns more than i do and has moved home to his mums were he pays nothing.

So i am left with all the debt we had.

jonjamie1970

Sorry your in a tough situation, the deposit obviously is to secure that professionals time, in the case of the photographer and for them to plan what you want. Could I suggest perhaps a letter or phone call to them and lay it on thick, etc etc, has worked for my ex wife many times and the photographer may refund the £500.

karenlyth25

I agree with jonjamie1970 if you send them a letter and explain the circumstances and appeal that you have cancelled a couple of weeks, or month even before, that maybe they could reconsider as it is likely they will obtain another booking. Maybe ask for a compromise and ask for them to refund it if they manage to refill the date....its worth a try dont give up.

I know deposits are to secure things in advance and I can understand them saying no to returning it but its worth a try....after all you have given them a fair bit of warning.

Good luck

Nottoobadyet

Is there offer of using their other services transferable? Maybe you know someone who would buy that portion of the photographers time for their own wedding or for a christening or something?