Is there any way to get my deposit back?

[starchild]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I''d throw this out there in case someone else has been in this dilemma before...

I booked a wedding photographer already, but have since found another one that I like a lot better who is available on our date! It seems like my options are:

a) Book the new one and eat the $800 deposit to the other one
b) Stick with the old one and live with the fact that I could have had better photos
c) Try apply the deposit with the old one towards another service, like engagement shots or rehearsal dinner shots (but how do I break it to them that I want someone else for the wedding?)
d) Or ask nicely and hope she gives me my deposit back? The wedding is in July, and maybe she''ll find another booking by then?

What do you guys think I should do? Thanks for any help!

 

[Gypsy]

Well, considering the fact that the reason she had you give her a high deposit was to AVOID you going out and booking someone else. July is just a relatively short time away, and she''s probably turned away other business on the promise of you following through with your booking. Your best bet, IF YOU ARE SET ON THIS COURSE is to negotiate something else-- like an enagement session or something with the money. But you should know she is under NO obligation to oblige you. And if you end up having to use her anyway, she''s gonna be unhappy with you.. and I wouldn''t want an uphappy photographer.

 

[Courtneylub]

Date: 2/25/2008 6:23:11 PM
Author:starchild
Hi everyone,

Just thought I''d throw this out there in case someone else has been in this dilemma before...

I booked a wedding photographer already, but have since found another one that I like a lot better who is available on our date! It seems like my options are:

a) Book the new one and eat the $800 deposit to the other one
b) Stick with the old one and live with the fact that I could have had better photos
c) Try apply the deposit with the old one towards another service, like engagement shots or rehearsal dinner shots (but how do I break it to them that I want someone else for the wedding?)
d) Or ask nicely and hope she gives me my deposit back? The wedding is in July, and maybe she''ll find another booking by then?

What do you guys think I should do? Thanks for any help!

I''m so scared of this happening to me. I have to pay a large deposit with my photographer also. I''m just going to refrain from looking at other photographers.

I would not eat the $800. That''s a lot of money to me and I''m sure the original photographer you picked has something you liked about him/her.

On the other hand, I would definitely ask for a refund and blame the decision on your FI (that''s what I do). The worst she could do say is no. You can''t worry about upsetting vendors...it''s part of their job to be rejected. Plus July is a ways away! If she doesn''t agree, use the money for engagement shots, like you said.

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 2/25/2008 6:34:06 PM
Author: Gypsy
Well, considering the fact that the reason she had you give her a high deposit was to AVOID you going out and booking someone else. July is just a relatively short time away, and she''s probably turned away other business on the promise of you following through with your booking. Your best bet, IF YOU ARE SET ON THIS COURSE is to negotiate something else-- like an enagement session or something with the money. But you should know she is under NO obligation to oblige you. And if you end up having to use her anyway, she''s gonna be unhappy with you.. and I wouldn''t want an uphappy photographer.

I completely agree. It would be a lot of money to lose if you backed out, and you''d be going back on your word. If you end up speaking to her and trying to work out some other arrangement, she can say no. If that happens, it might make the next five months very awkward.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I think there is little to no chance that you will get the money back. July is way to soon to expect them to be ok with rebooking someone else since most people aready have their photogrophers less than six months out.
I see that you have two options.
Decide to stay with the one who has your deposit and not say anything about moving
or
Decide to go with the other one expecting that you will lose the money and see if they might do engagement shoots.

Before you say anything, just remember that if you anger your photographer and stay with her, it will show up in the pictures and you will regret that more than anything.

 

[cara]

Ditto Ms. Hussy.

Don''t bring it up unless you are prepared to eat the deposit and go with the new photog regardless.