ComplaintsforThe Barn at Grace Hill, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  11/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My daughter signed a contract to reserve a date for her wedding on 10/29/21. I paid the **% deposit of $******** on 10/31/21. Her wedding date was 10/21/23. My daughter and her fiance broke up on 09/22. We canceled the venue at that time. The venue was rebooked within a week of cancelation. But, the venue only returned half of my deposit. Most venues use a sliding-scale refund policy. I do not think it is fair for a venue to keep $****** of my deposit when they re-booked immediately and were out nothing. The only thing they were out was the time it took to show us the venue and send a few emails with information about the venue and vendors. I would have thought $****** would be a fair amount to pay for that; NOT $******! Also, the refund policy was not included in the contract.

  Business response

  12/16/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2022/11/14) */ Unfortunately, there is no basis for any complaint against the venue without being the contracted party. We have no contractual relationship with this person. We have fulfilled our contractual obligation with the person who entered into the contract with our venue- terms that were agreed upon at the time of signing. See contract terms below. They were stated very clearly in the contract. We would never want anyone to sign our contract without being comfortable with it. This is why it is extremely important to read and understand the contracts in which are signed. Every couple who books at our venue understands that if a cancellation occurs, the contract terms will be followed. Our contract has been created and reviewed by an attorney, and we are confident that our contract is legally binding and reasonable. We are the only venue that we know of in our area who refunds **% if the date is rebooked. We have reached out to a group of venue owners across the nation and no one has heard of a sliding scale for refunds at venues, nor uses one. It is very untrue that most venues use a sliding scale. We strive for fairness, consistency and professionalism in all of our business dealings and our 5 star rating across all other platforms is proof that we care very much for our clients. Our human hearts can care a lot about unfortunate circumstances, while still needing to stick to a contract because that was the agreement. Staying consistent with our contract allows us to move forward treating every other client the same way. The purpose of the contract is fairness for both us as a business and the client. Our **% refund is more generous than any other venue contract we know of. Even though you are not the contracted client, we will provide you with the terms of the contract that were agreed upon and followed with the contracted party. Contract terms that were agreed upon at signing: 1. A nonrefundable initial payment of ****** percent (**%) of the total cost under this contract is due upon the signing of this contract 6. Upon cancellation by Lessee, the Barn may refund ***** percent (**%) of the total amount paid, if it is able to rebook the same date at the same value with a new Lessee." Consumer Response /* (3000, 10, 2022/11/14) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I understand the terms of the contract. I am di sputing the terms as unfair. If a party cancels the contract and the venue is not out any monies after rebooking, then they should not benefit from the party that canceled on top of the monies recived from the new leesee. Business Response /* (4000, 12, 2022/11/16) */ The person making the complaint was not a customer and has no contractual relationship with the venue. Consumer Response /* (2000, 14, 2022/11/26) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) No one goes into this contract thinking they may need to cancel. The venue stated if they did not keep deposits when a party does have to cancel; other clients would be canceling more often?? I believe the contrace should be based on a sliding scale as to not only if the date is rebooked, but also when the cancelation occurs in order to be more fair. I believe if I did not try to change something that I think is unfair; then I become part of the problem and that it changes me. But, my daughter is the kindest, most non-confrontational person I know. In order to comply with her wishes of paying me back herself; I will reluctantly let this go. My daughter took a second job to pay for "her mistake"? $***. is a lot of income for doing nothing to earn it. I could really use it.....expensive lesson....

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