ComplaintsforRancho la Mission

• Initial Complaint

  02/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I booked a wedding venue package at Rancho la mission for around $26k for 11/18/23. I paid $8k as a deposit and have since paid $7k additional in monthly payments. We recently called to change the date to a year later, 11/17/24, which resulted in a $5k fee. The change date fee is outlined in the contract as being only $2500. When we ultimately decided to cancel the event rather than reschedule, I contacted the venue about cancelling the wedding booking and therefor the contract and the owner told me that if I cancelled I would still be responsible for the remaining now $15k owed balance and that he would file it as a collection on my credit report. I consulted the contract and nowhere is there a no cancellations clause. I am looking to be able to cancel the venue booking without being required to pay the remainder of the balance as there is ample time (more than 18 months) for them to book the venue for the new date. I had a lawyer read over the contract and she assured me that there was nothing there about not being able to cancel the event.

  Business response

  02/20/2023

  Yes the client has paid $15k toward their event & has invested good amount toward their event  as well the venue has reserved their event date and turned away future potential clients seeking to rent the venue, as well as monies spent in preparing for their event so therefore the venue has invested good amount of resources and funds for clients scheduled event date.

   

  Please review VII. RANCHO LA MISSIONS POLICIES, 16. CLIENTS can request to change their scheduled event date however a Change Date fee of $5,000 will apply
  and must be paid in advance or financing my be available depending the status of CLIENTS account.  If client claims the fee is $2,500 and can prove it being in the contract, then the venue will honor that $2,500 change date fee;  however, if not, the venue will honor the $5,000 change date fee as stated in the signed contract agreement.  

  The following section is in response to the cancellation and refund:

    II.
  RENTAL FEES AND PAYMENT *****
  1. FAILURE OF CLIENTS TO ABIDE BY THE ***** OF PAYMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL RESULT IN
  THE ENTIRE UNPAID BALANCE SHALL BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE AT ONCE OR IMMEDIATELY AND
  CANCELLATION OF THE EVENT AND FORFEITURE OF ALL MONIES PAID TO VENUE HOST. CLIENTS
  EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT ALL MONIES PAID WILL BE RETAINED BY VENUE HOST AND WAIVES THE
  RIGHT TO RECEIVE PRODUCTS/SERVICES FOR WHICH CLIENTS HAVE CONTRACTED. UNLESS
  OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN THIS AGREEMENT, THERE IS A NO REFUND POLICY OF ANY MONIES
  PAID UNDER THE ***** OF THIS AGREEMENT. SHOULD IT BECOME NECESSARY TO HAVE AN
  ATTORNEY OR AGENCY MAKE DEMAND FOR PAYMENT OF ENTIRE UNPAID BALANCE DUE, OR IF SUIT IS
  INSTITUTED TO COLLECT IN THIS CONTRACT, OR ANY PART THEREOF, THE CLIENTS AGREES TO PAY
  ATTORNEY'S FEES AND/OR ALL OTHER COSTS INCURRED.

  IX.
  REFUND POLICY
  Due to the nature of VENUE HOSTs business, upon entering this Agreement, VENUE HOST must reserve the
  facilities identified in herein for the EVENT and turn away future potential clients seeking to rent said
  facilities on the date of the EVENT. In order to protect VENUE HOSTs interest of anticipated profits from the
  rental of its facilities, as well as monies spent in preparation for the EVENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE
  PROVIDED HEREIN THIS AGREEMENT, THERE IS A NO REFUND POLICY OF ANY MONIES PAID UNDER
  THE ***** OF THIS AGREEMENT. Alternative arrangements due to inclement weather, death of a family
  member, or destruction of VENUE premises are addressed under Sections X and XV of this AGREEMENT.

   

  XV
  TERM, CHANGES & CANCELLATION OF AGREEMENT
  1. This AGREEMENT will terminate automatically upon completion of services outlined in this AGREEMENT. Any
  changes made to this AGREEMENT must be made in writing and signed by all parties. As stated in Section IX,
  there are no refunds of payments made to VENUE HOST.
  2. In the event that events, such as inclement weather that prevents the event from being held or death of a
  family member, or other circumstances particular to CLIENTS circumstances shall necessitate the cancellation of
  the EVENT, then VENUE HOST will coordinate with CLIENTS regarding the rescheduling of the EVENT for a later
  date FOR A CHANGE FEE. If EVENT is being rescheduled due to inclement weather or death in the family, the
  change of EVENT date will be at additional cost. If the EVENT date is changed due to any other reason, such
  rescheduling may be subject to additional fees as provided in Schedule B, subject to VENUE HOSTs discretion.
  3. During a Global Pandemic, following are CLIENTS options: A.) VENUE HOST will implement a $2500 move
  date fee and monthly payments will be extended which will give CLIENTS more time to payoff their balance.
  Final payment due 30 days before scheduled event. B.) VENUE HOST will NOT implement a $2500 fee however
  payment schedule will remain the same on CLIENTS current proposal/contract agreement.

  Meaning CLIENTS agree to honor payment schedule of last signed proposal agreement prior to selecting option A or B. (MINIMUM
  STANDARD HEALTH PROTOCOLS must be active by county and state to be considered Global Pandemic.)
  4. If an Act of God, such as fire, flood, earthquake or natural calamity, shall cause total destruction of VENUE
  HOSTs facilities such that the EVENT cannot be held as scheduled, nor rescheduled for the foreseeable future,
  then VENUE HOST shall refund monies paid by CLIENTS less any amounts actually spent by VENUE HOST in
  preparation for the EVENT.

   

  One section mentions about Global Pandemic in regards to $2,500 to move clients event date however we are currently NOT in a Global Pandemic.  The venue is still willing to work with the client and help push their event date forward but please understand the client signed a legal binding contract agreement.  I've attached a copy of the signed contract agreement from the client.  Again, the venue is willing to work with the client. 

   

  I've attached a copy of signed contract interested parties to review and backup my responses.  Look forward to hearing from you soon.  God Bless!

  Customer response

  02/20/2023

  Complaint: 19423618
  
  I am rejecting this response because: there was no resolution stated. We are trying to cancel the event. There is nothing in the contract that states that the remainder of the balance will be due if cancellations occur. I am not even looking for a refund, just to cancel moving forward and be released from the contract. Being that the event date is now, after the change, over 18 months out, there is plenty of time for the venue to rebook the date. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************************

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