Reception Vendor Ripping Me Off?

[misysu2]

When we signed our reception vendor contract, we signed with a 150 person minimum, with the understanding that we''ll still have to pay for 150 people even if that many don''t show up.

Now, this vendor''s trying to tell me that there''s a $5000 minimum purchase, which was never stated in the contract we signed. If I had known that, I''d have sprung for another $1000 and had it at the ritziest place in town WITH the bridal suite included!

How do I handle this?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Do you have a copy of your contract? If that's not in the contract, they can't enforce it. A written, signed document is what matters.

 

[Loves Vintage]

What is the vendor''s basis for saying there is a 5k minimum? If this is not stated in the contract, then what are they relying on? If it''s not in the terms of the contract, and there are no ambiguities in the contract, then you do not have an agreement . . . .

 

[misysu2]

I have my contract and there''s no mention of a 5k min. She just mentioned it in passing via email, like it was common knowledge. I''m awaiting more clarification on this, but wanted to make sure I handle this correctly if they''re going to try to enforce this on me. I''m not much of a confrontationalist, but we can''t afford to get ripped off right now-- we''re house hunting! AND the place is NOT THAT NICE!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 3/25/2008 2:06:39 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Do you have a copy of your contract? If that''s not in the contract, they can''t enforce it. A written, signed document is what matters.

Yup...read the contract carefully, if it isn''t there, they can''t really enforce it.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 3/25/2008 2:15:21 PM
Author: misysu2
I have my contract and there''s no mention of a 5k min. She just mentioned it in passing via email, like it was common knowledge. I''m awaiting more clarification on this, but wanted to make sure I handle this correctly if they''re going to try to enforce this on me. I''m not much of a confrontationalist, but we can''t afford to get ripped off right now-- we''re house hunting! AND the place is NOT THAT NICE!

You didn''t respond yet, right? Whatever you do, do not agree to it in an e-mail or even imply you might have agreed to it because that can be considered a supplemental to your contract or something possibly.

 

[Gypsy]

Check for phrases like "all addition standard terms and conditions from X (website, or other document) are also incorporated herein" or some variation thereof. If there IS a term like that in your contract... then whatever document or webpage or whatever its referring to could have a minimum stated in it.

If there is nothing like that... can you upload the contract in peices on here as a pic? We can take a look for you and see if there''s any liablity.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 3/25/2008 2:39:59 PM
Author: Gypsy
Check for phrases like ''all addition standard terms and conditions from X (website, or other document) are also incorporated herein'' or some variation thereof. If there IS a term like that in your contract... then whatever document or webpage or whatever its referring to could have a minimum stated in it.


If there is nothing like that... can you upload the contract in peices on here as a pic? We can take a look for you and see if there''s any liablity.

Good idea!

 

[misysu2]

This is all I said regarding the minimum: "Also, you said in an earlier email that the minimum reception cost was $5000. Is this a new policy? In my contract, it only says that there is a minimum of 150 guests."

And I''m awaiting her reply.

Great idea, ladies! I''ll see if I can upload that contract here. Gimme a few... I''d love the help!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Man I wish I could wait around to see! I have a business law class to go to though.

I love contract law!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/25/2008 3:14:04 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Man I wish I could wait around to see! I have a business law class to go to though.

I love contract law!

SNORT. It was the bane of my existence in law school and during the bar-- I cannot tell you the number of panic attacks "consideration" gave me during bar study. Now I do it 24/7. Life is odd.

 

[Gwyn]

A 5,000 min purchase for $150 people is an average of $34 a person. Wont you be speding this pretty easily? Or is the venue not doing the dinner and such? And that 5K just the "rental fee" or something lame like that.

Not to say that you shouldnt be required to if it you were not made aware of this upfront and it is not in your contract, I was just wondering where you were having your reception that you wouldnt be spending atleast 5K for 150 people.

Clearly I need to move, ill be spending over that on just 50 people when you take into account food and open bar!

 

[gtn]

or you could attach a pdf and we could download the file to our computer if the image doesn''t appear legible.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/25/2008 5:17:08 PM
Author: Gwyn
A 5,000 min purchase for $150 people is an average of $34 a person. Wont you be speding this pretty easily? Or is the venue not doing the dinner and such? And that 5K just the ''rental fee'' or something lame like that.

Not to say that you shouldnt be required to if it you were not made aware of this upfront and it is not in your contract, I was just wondering where you were having your reception that you wouldnt be spending atleast 5K for 150 people.

Clearly I need to move, ill be spending over that on just 50 people when you take into account food and open bar!

I''ll be spending more than that on just site fee and hordourves. I need to move too. LOL.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 3/25/2008 3:16:16 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/25/2008 3:14:04 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Man I wish I could wait around to see! I have a business law class to go to though.

I love contract law!

SNORT. It was the bane of my existence in law school and during the bar-- I cannot tell you the number of panic attacks ''consideration'' gave me during bar study. Now I do it 24/7. Life is odd.

Haha! I am not ready for the bar, nope! I have to do the LSAT first..

Wow I am crazy about the exclamation points today, what is up with that?

 

[misysu2]

We cleared it up. Apparently, a $5000 min is required if you don''t do food AND alcohol, but we are, so it was kind of a moot point for her to bring up and confuse me.

Our food is $15/person and we''re not expecting 150 people. Putting a cap of ~$1000 for alcohol. We''re expecting to pay around $3k.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Glad you got it cleared up!

 

[Gypsy]

Happy to hear it!

Um. 15 a person?
What does that get you where you are? (I clearly want to torture myself).

 

[bee*]

glad that everything''s sorted! Wow-I thought that we were doing well with under 60 euro per person for food! $15 is amazing!

 

[misysu2]

Hey Gypsy--

Here''s the breakdown. All buffets come with cheese and salad appetizers, chef''s selection of starch and dessert, rolls, butter, coffee, tea.

I pick from two in one price bracket:

14.95
Baked Lasagna
Beef Strogonoff
Old Fashioned Baked Ham
Chicken Fried Steak
Chicken Cacciatore

17.95
Tahitian Chicken Breast
Sliced sirloin of beef with mushroom sauce
Sliced smoked turkey breast
Blackened chicken
Italian Herb Chicken

20.95
Prime Rib
London Broil
Maple-Soy Glazed Salmon Filet
Lemon Dil Sauteed Chicken
Stuff Chicken with Spinach and Ricotta
Herb Rubbed Pork Loins with Ancho Mustard Sauce

I think we''re going with the 14.95 price range, because it''s there, and well, we really are cheapos (

). And we''re saving up to buy a house, so 150 people at 20.95 is a steep jump which could be used for closing costs!

 

[Pandora II]

I want to cry!!!!

My site fee is over $6k - and that is cheap here.

I''ve gone for the cheapest catering package I can and that is $50 a head for a buffet - that doesn''t include drinks, hors d''oeuvres etc

Why is the UK soooooo expensive?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 3/26/2008 11:12:30 AM
Author: Pandora II
I want to cry!!!!


My site fee is over $6k - and that is cheap here.


I''ve gone for the cheapest catering package I can and that is $50 a head for a buffet - that doesn''t include drinks, hors d''oeuvres etc


Why is the UK soooooo expensive?

Don''t worry, Virginia isn''t too much better. We looked a variety of places with site fees ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 and food ranging from $40 a person to $150 a person. So you''re not alone.

 

[misysu2]

Well I''m not exactly having my wedding in resort-land, but it''s home, and people I love can afford to travel there.

This is inexpensive, but the crazy fees and taxes aren''t held in consideration yet.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/26/2008 11:12:30 AM
Author: Pandora II
I want to cry!!!!

My site fee is over $6k - and that is cheap here.

I''ve gone for the cheapest catering package I can and that is $50 a head for a buffet - that doesn''t include drinks, hors d''oeuvres etc

Why is the UK soooooo expensive?

Yeah. Nor Cal blows as well. Mine is a fairly budget venue and my site fee is over 2K and my food and drinks (no hard alcohol) including taxes and gratutity are about 120 a person.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 3/25/2008 6:10:27 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS

Date: 3/25/2008 3:16:16 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/25/2008 3:14:04 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Man I wish I could wait around to see! I have a business law class to go to though.

I love contract law!

SNORT. It was the bane of my existence in law school and during the bar-- I cannot tell you the number of panic attacks ''consideration'' gave me during bar study. Now I do it 24/7. Life is odd.

Haha! I am not ready for the bar, nope! I have to do the LSAT first..

Wow I am crazy about the exclamation points today, what is up with that?

NO BAR TALK HERE IT CONSUMES MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!! GO AWAY GO AWAY!!!

...ok done freaking out.

Bar is July 28 and 29th for me

Can''t be a CLI forever. I swear the Bar is just like a Frat initiation... go through 3 years of hazing with the final paddling at the end!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 3/26/2008 9:17:58 AM
Author: misysu2
Hey Gypsy--

Here''s the breakdown. All buffets come with cheese and salad appetizers, chef''s selection of starch and dessert, rolls, butter, coffee, tea.

I pick from two in one price bracket:

14.95
Baked Lasagna
Beef Strogonoff
Old Fashioned Baked Ham
Chicken Fried Steak
Chicken Cacciatore

17.95
Tahitian Chicken Breast
Sliced sirloin of beef with mushroom sauce
Sliced smoked turkey breast
Blackened chicken
Italian Herb Chicken

20.95
Prime Rib
London Broil
Maple-Soy Glazed Salmon Filet
Lemon Dil Sauteed Chicken
Stuff Chicken with Spinach and Ricotta
Herb Rubbed Pork Loins with Ancho Mustard Sauce

I think we''re going with the 14.95 price range, because it''s there, and well, we really are cheapos (

). And we''re saving up to buy a house, so 150 people at 20.95 is a steep jump which could be used for closing costs!

Man where in the heck do you live? Did I miss it in the thread? I''m trying to find places that aren''t $50 a person W/O drinks!

 

[misysu2]

We''re getting married in Springfield, IL. Our wedding reception is at the Inn at 835. You can see a virtual tour of the reception area here: http://www.innat835.com/Design/VR/073-front-l.html

I haven''t posted this anywhere before...I guess I''m due for a "misysu2''s wedding thread!"

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/26/2008 3:09:53 PM
Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 3/25/2008 6:10:27 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS

Date: 3/25/2008 3:16:16 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/25/2008 3:14:04 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Man I wish I could wait around to see! I have a business law class to go to though.

I love contract law!

SNORT. It was the bane of my existence in law school and during the bar-- I cannot tell you the number of panic attacks 'consideration' gave me during bar study. Now I do it 24/7. Life is odd.

Haha! I am not ready for the bar, nope! I have to do the LSAT first..

Wow I am crazy about the exclamation points today, what is up with that?

NO BAR TALK HERE IT CONSUMES MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!! GO AWAY GO AWAY!!!

...ok done freaking out.

Bar is July 28 and 29th for me

Can't be a CLI forever. I swear the Bar is just like a Frat initiation... go through 3 years of hazing with the final paddling at the end!

LOL. Okay no Bar talk. I promise. I will tell you that I was completely certifiably INSANE for three full months of Bar study. Just completely CRAZY. My friends have blackmail material voicemail messages to prove it too. Best of luck honey.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 3/26/2008 3:33:22 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/26/2008 3:09:53 PM
Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 3/25/2008 6:10:27 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS

Date: 3/25/2008 3:16:16 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/25/2008 3:14:04 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Man I wish I could wait around to see! I have a business law class to go to though.

I love contract law!

SNORT. It was the bane of my existence in law school and during the bar-- I cannot tell you the number of panic attacks ''consideration'' gave me during bar study. Now I do it 24/7. Life is odd.

Haha! I am not ready for the bar, nope! I have to do the LSAT first..

Wow I am crazy about the exclamation points today, what is up with that?

NO BAR TALK HERE IT CONSUMES MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!! GO AWAY GO AWAY!!!

...ok done freaking out.

Bar is July 28 and 29th for me

Can''t be a CLI forever. I swear the Bar is just like a Frat initiation... go through 3 years of hazing with the final paddling at the end!

LOL. Okay no Bar talk. I promise. I will tell you that I was completely certifiably INSANE for three full months of Bar study. Just completely CRAZY. My friends have blackmail material voicemail messages to prove it too. Best of luck honey.

Thanks! And yeah I''m already that insane!