Wedding Help Covid

sassyblue

Confusedman123 said:

In his contract there is a £400 non refundable deposit. We have paid just over £1200 with more money due. He has said if we cancel we won't have to pay the remaining balance but will lose any money paid. Because he has had a tough year...

And that’s the reason he's doing this the scammer, he’s trying to get money for nothing. You take him to the small claims court as the other poster advised. I get there will be £400 not refunded but get the rest back. What an awful person.

Confusedman123

I can stomach losing £400 and finding a new photographer. Can't stomach losing £1200 and then finding a new photographer. My partner and I thought he might be the stumbling block. Everyone one else involved in the wedding a simple message or phonecard and problem solved.

Confusedman123

He is available on our new date. He could keep the money a our business but instead acts like this

sassyblue

I remember from when we got married that at first I thought it must be a really happy business for all involved but by the end of it I’d had enough of our slimey photographer and the prima donna wedding dress shop owner. I can only assume they were jaded by bridezillas that had come before me but I was easy going, the pair of them just had £ signs in their eyes and wanted to take over everything.

AskAsk

as others have said, you can't claim the non refundable £400 deposit but the remaining balance you can take out a small claims case against him.

he is just trying it on.  it costs very little by the way to take out a small claims case, £35 in this case as you would be claiming £800 if you do an online claim, and if you win, which you will do, he will have to pay that court fee to you.

threaten him with small claims if he doesn't agree to change the date or refund you the money.

Confusedman123

Thanks 
So I'd pay £35 and he pays the court fee if I win? What if I lose?

Never done this before

Confusedman123

Asked about cancellation yesterday he is not replying but has read the message. So messy and disappointing. Reading his reviews on Google we are not alone either

Confusedman123

He is saying because it is less than 6 months as stated in the contract we have to pay in full. Is this true?

AskAsk

Confusedman123 said:

Thanks 
So I'd pay £35 and he pays the court fee if I win? What if I lose?

Never done this before

it is very simple to do an online claim.  you pay the fee and send in supporting documents.  if you win then the court will make an award for the money owed together with the court fee.  you can also claim interest at 8% pa on the money owed from the date it was due to be refunded to the award date.

in simple cases, it is all done online and you don't have to attend court hearings.  if you lose then you won't be granted an award, so you won't get the £35 fee back.

AskAsk

Confusedman123 said:

He is saying because it is less than 6 months as stated in the contract we have to pay in full. Is this true?

but you said that you had messaged him in November and the wedding is in July, so that is more than 6 months?  it will depend on whether you had asked for the refund at least 6 months before the wedding.  that is, even though you messaged him in November, it wasn't to ask for a refund but to discuss matters and you haven't formally cancelled the contract and asked him to return your money before the minimum 6 months period.