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Curious October 2022 Ontario

Photographer bailed and hasn't returned money

Lindsey, on April 10, 2022 at 14:53 Posted in Plan a wedding 0 4

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Hello!

This is a post looking for support, guidance, or maybe others who have experienced the same thing. I hired a well known London, Ontario photographer to shoot my October 2022 wedding. They are actually a Wedding Wire vendor. They were paid in full in two separate instalments in February and August 2021. In September I received an email saying that due to an injury our engagement photos would have to be rescheduled. No big deal. Then the photographer ghosted us for 6 months. Finally at the end of February, they sent out a mass email to their clients saying that all of their 2022 contracts are cancelled and refunds will be issued. They have since ghosted again. Currently I am owed $4049 from this individual who I cannot get in contact with. I've since hired a new photographer who is wonderful and now that the wedding is 6 months away the expenses are quickly adding up.

Any ideas?

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4 Comments

Latest activity by Kara, on April 12, 2022 at 08:10

Frequent user June 2022 Ontario
Kara · On April 12, 2022 at 08:10
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I’m so sorry you’re going through this.
I would certainly start with trying to get a hold of them by other means- social media, dropping in etc. keep all correspondence and record the activity you’ve undertaken. I would also report them to the BBB. If in a few months, you don’t hear anything, I would go small claims for sure.

I know this doesn’t exactly help right now, but you’ll have to pick up and keep going until it’s sorted. We lost so many vendors through covid and have had my fair share of crap- and I’ve just sort of learned that the ones who will honour their business and do what’s right will do what they need to do to keep you happy or find a solution. Those who can’t won’t…. Or potentially can’t due to financial hardship. Just take care of yourselves, secure new vendors To ensure you have a great day, and keep fighting this on the sidelines. Keep us posted on how this turns out.
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Curious October 2022 Ontario
Lindsey · On April 11, 2022 at 10:56
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According to this photographer they have 43 couples to return money to and they have claimed they need to take out credit against their home. So far I’ve connected with about 3 or 4 people who are in the exact same boat and have not heard back from him. Thank you for your suggestions. At this point it’s much more than a financial toll, it’s also emotional. This stressful experience has really put a damper on all of our wedding planning and left us financially strapped because it’s a huge chunk of our wedding budget.
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Featured September 2021 Ontario
Hank · On April 11, 2022 at 10:18
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That's terrible and sorry to hear you're going through this.
Do you have their contact info beyond just email, like phone, social media and physical mailing address? If so, I would try to get in touch via those means (calling them, showing up at their studio, posting messages on social media).
Have they filed for bankruptcy?
Definitely leave reviews on both Weddingwire, Google, and social media to warn others.
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Featured September 2022 Alberta
Derek · On April 10, 2022 at 23:24
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Oh wow! This is AWFUL.

I am not a lawyer, but this sounds like there is an element of fraud here. Considering that they have ghosted you and not returned your funds, and your attempts to contact them have been futile, you may have to look at reporting them to your local police's fraud division. I'd also report them to the Better Business Bureau because they deal with this on a regular basis. Failing those two, you may have to look at small claims court since your amount is less than $5000. Unfortunately that doesn't solve your problem of recovering the money now - it will take time.
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