ComplaintsforKlaaren Art

• Initial Complaint

  10/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 3/15/23 $100 payment was sent to ***** ********************** for *************** to be completed on 10/21/23. The total for this art is $800. At that time we had asked for a contract and were told he was on vacation overseas and we would get something when he returned. Months went by and we didn't receive any official documentation from Mr. ********************** other than assurance from our former wedding planner who stated he would be there and is "the best of the best". I proceeded to make a supplemental payment on 5/11/23 for $150 - and final payment on 7/17 for $550. All were checks sent to Mr. ********************** from ********** and we have records and transaction numbers to support these statements. After further pushing the wedding planner - she finally produced a contract signed by Mr. ********************** on 9/11/23, which we also signed and sent back to all parties for record keeping.On 10/03/23 we informed the wedding planner via email that we needed to cancel Klaaren Art for various reasons, and that per contract we were aware $100 was nonrefundable, but fully expected the balance of $700 to be refunded in a timely manner.***** ********************** expressed his displeasure of our cancellation and then began to ignore several follow up emails to discuss refund options as he was currently traveling internationally. We offered electronic reimbursement options via Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo. ***** initially stated that he would not be refunding anything and that he would still be completing the art - either in person or via provided photo. We declined that. From there - we had several exchanges with ***** where he has made it clear that he has no problem being in breach of a contract and in his words "I have the funds. I will refund what I choose. You may proceed with your threats. T"We tried to work this out in a civil manner - but he will not follow his own contract. Commissioner beware.

  Business response

  10/23/2023

  I was contacted by a wedding planner to paint for the ****** wedding on October 21st 2023. I was given a $100 deposit to secure the date. No other payment was required until the painting was produced. The ****** party insisted on paying in full in two installments.

  In the next months I planned and executed a month-long trip overseas. I ended this trip with the ****** event on October the 21st in mind. While on this trip I received information from the bride planner that I was being canceled. She told me that the bride was now scouting for a cheaper artist and needed to cover some extra costs so I was canceled.  **** sent me a communication saying that she wanted the $700 that I owed her back immediately. I was not in a position to respond immediately, and needed to contact some experts on what my next move should be. I received information that prompted me to return some of the price and charge a penalty for frivolous cancellation of an event. I told the ****** that they were not in charge of my payment schedule and that I would pay them when I could at my convenience. They persisted in harassing me about this money while I was trying to have a good time. This said I was a bit belligerent in my responses to them. My intention all along was to return the money that they had paid me aside from the deposit. I am doing this as I speak, returning the $700.

  I have been a working artist in this area for 50 years and have never had a complaint like this. I work for weddings sporadically and have done over a hundred with no trouble. This particular person has a reputation for being difficult and I was one of her targets. I would appreciate consideration in this case. I did everything that I was supposed to do, they canceled inconveniently and at my cost. There should be a way to report bad clients.  I just got this letter a few days ago... I was not home from September 15-October 17. Thus, I missed the ten day response limit.

  Customer response

  10/25/2023

   
  Complaint: 20723366
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  At no time did we tell the original planner we were seeking a cheaper artist. The decision to cancel ***** was made simply because neither of us was passionate about the product. What we had originally wanted wasnt provided and we were given ***** as the option. For months we convinces ourselves that we would be happy with it, then as really horrible situations were happening and the original planner defrauded us, we had to make decisions about our day and come up with more money for things that shed dropped the ball on. As such decisions were being made, we had to make a decision to remove aspects from our day. A decision no bride wants to make. And since the painting was for us and not the guests, we chose to make that adjustment. Along with a few others that ***** isnt aware of because we dont have to talk to him about our plans!

  ***** claimed to not have internet access, meanwhile his social media accounts were updated daily. Sometimes multiple times a day. So a claim of not being able to access internet isnt exactly valid if your social media is functioning. 
  

  our demands were for a reply. After his first belligerent response, we then became combative. We offered ***** the option to refund thru several electronic means if that was easier since he was traveling. At no time, until after a demand letter was sent did he express that hed follow the contract and refund minus the agreed upon deposit. 
  

  At this time, we wish to receive the funds hes claimed to have sent and move on with our lives. We have had wonderful relationships with all vendors minus him and the original wedding planner. Both of those I wish to walk away from permanently. 
  

  despite his bitter email on my wedding day, we had a beautiful day. Filled with love and happiness. We will be happy for a lifetime and hopefully with some quiet time, ***** can see that this was NEVER a personal attack. We were hit with almost $5k in additional unaccounted for financial issues as a result of the original planner, so decisions had to be made. And unfortunately, we had to take away live painting. That was a business decision. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

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