ComplaintsforNHC Events at Searles Castle

• Initial Complaint

  09/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My fiance and I signed the contract to have our wedding at Searls on 5/22/22. The contract called for a $2k deposit, which we paid. We then paid them addition funds over the course of the next few months of $12k for a total of $14k. In February of 2022, my fiance called off the wedding. I alerted Searls and asked for my money back minus the deposit, which was all I was required to pay per the contract. I was told that I was forfeiting all $14k of my money because they had to pay the vendors. The contract only called for a $2k deposit with the remainder due on the day of the wedding. I told the finance manager the contract only stated I had to pay the deposit. His response was that the contract did not state he had to give any of my money back at all. Had I not been attempting to pay ahead, I would only be out $2k. I should not be penalized $12k for trying to get ahead, nor should Searls be unjustly enriched by the breakup of my relationship. I am only asking for $10k back. They can keep the additional $2k, which nets them a profit of $4k.

  

  Business response

  10/13/2023

  Ms ****** ******* and representatives of the BBB:

  
  Thank you for the opportunity to address this issue.  Unfortunately, I was not aware of the issue and now having spent two days exploring the ins and outs of the situation, can clearly respond that a refund or reimbursement is not an option for this situation.  

  Please review the signed contract, the response to the complaint and the new form we are beginning to use to be sure when a cancellation occurs, the details are in writing and a signature is collected.

  I am available from 9-4 on weekdays in our office so please don't hesitate to reach out to me for further discussion.  

  I would ask that any negative postings on social media and otherwise regarding this situation be removed now that you have the proper information to understand the decision regarding how we handled this cancellation.  

  Barbara H*****, President, NHC Events at Searles Castle,  603-898-6597

  Customer response

  10/17/2023

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I do not accept the business's response as a resolution to my complaint because: My contract that I signed states that the deposit of $3000 is non-refundable/transferable and we prepaid an additional $11,000. If we had not paid $11,000 (the wedding was called off more than 90 days in advance so we did not technically have to pay anything until March 22) Searles would only keep the $3,000 deposit and nothing else. Therefore, I am being punished for paying early as opposed to someone who would give the lump sum at the 60-day mark. 

  Any and all negative reviews will not be retracted as the information presented in said reviews reflects actual experiences and not false allegations. 

  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

  

  Business response

  10/20/2023

  I have attached the contract again.  Please review that it clearly states all deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE.  It also indicates that in order to hold the date, deposits need to be made on time and as indicated on the contract.  $3,500 due on 8/22/21 and 50% due 60 days prior to the wedding.  Never would we allow a wedding to proceed that was not paid in full 7 days prior with cash or certified check so waiting until your wedding day to pay any more than the initial $3,000 deposit would never have been acceptable and you would have lost your date by not complying with the contract.  

  We have a contract to protect both parties and as such expect it to be followed during the business relationship.  We have followed the contract and respectfully request that you review it carefully as you will see that we have full-filled our obligation to you as a client.  

  I again request that any derogatory non-factual comments regarding our venue be rescinded.  

  Barbara H*****, President NHC Events

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩