ComplaintsforThe Cookery

• Initial Complaint

  01/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Our Daughter;*************** and her fiance planned to have their wedding at this establishment on October 7, 2022. In July of 2021 they put down a six thousand dollar deposit to hold the date of October 7, 2022. Unfortunately,****** and her fiance had a terrible financial hardship occur in November of 2021, causing them the need to cancel their wedding reception at the Cookery, scheduled for October 7, 2022. Immediately, upon learning of their new financial issues they contact The cookery in early November, 2021. The cookery refuses to refund their six thousand dollars. While I fully understand ** Contract Law, this establishment is basically stealing six thousand dollars from a young couple who have financial issues. Based on the fact the the scheduled date of their wedding was over ELEVEN months out, when they notified the Cookery - all six thousand dollars should be immediately returned to them. If this was canceled 120, 90, 60 or 30 days out, this would make sense. However, for the Cookery not to refund their money for a date that is ELEVEN months away, is purely an unethical and immoral business practice! I will NOT let any other young couple fall victim to this establishment. I will be posting on all social media platforms to warn other young couples NOT to do any business with The Cookery!

  Business response

  01/24/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/10) */ *****, we were disheartened when your daughter and her fiancé cancelled their wedding with us. We're sorry that their financial situation changed - we did try to work with them to come up with a solution by extending their deposit for an event with us until the end of 2023, but unfortunately, they refused. To secure a date at our venue, all our couples must place a non-refundable deposit and sign a contract, which is standard procedure among event venues. Hospitality is of utmost importance to us, we put a lot of care into our clients' events, and we pride ourselves in treating everyone fairly. Our contracts and policies clearly outline our agreements with our clients, and allow for the same standards to apply to everyone. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/01/10) */ The Cookery's response is totally unacceptable. Most reputable venues operate on a sliding scale, pertaining to wedding deposits. The fact that cancel notice was given with ELEVEN months notice and they are unwilling to refund any of the six thousand dollars, they are acting in an unethical and unprofessional manner. With eleven months notice of cancelation there was ZERO detriment that happened to The Cookery. They have done absolutely nothing but save a date that was eleven months away - basically they are "legally" stealing money for providing no goods or services. While I agree their practice is "legal" in NC. Any successful business, operates with high ethical and moral business practices...which The Cookery has clearly illustrated that they do not. Just because something is; "legal" that in itself does not make it a fair and ethical business practice! Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/01/12) */ Hi******, this will be our last correspondence with you since you have posted across multiple platforms. Our contract clearly outlined your financial responsibility to a non-refundable deposit. We book events years in advance, and, since we held this date for you, we were unable to book it for someone else. Our open event dates and venue is the product we sell, and since events are booked so far in advance, we have standard contracts that ensure our business can remain sustainable. These policies were clear and agreed upon.

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