For those looking to book with Abbott Events at any of their locations I just want to make it very known that this venue has verbally expressed to me directly and frankly that they value new income versus the money they have already received from brides and grooms for their events.
During COVID-19 a friend of mine booked their venue at The Bardot, unfortunately, due to COVID-19 they decided to postpone the wedding (which the Bardot allowed). Upon further discussion they decided to cancel the wedding. They reviewed the contract and asked me to help talk with the venue after getting no where themselves. The venue refuses to return any portion of the money even though their contract specifies that they will only keep 50% of the retainer fee (venue pricing and ceremony fee) after the 3 days following contract execution. When asked if they could gift the payments made to another couple at a later date they were told no. In the conversation below, I question them on this decision. Please read response:
Me: So for a future date, could this not be (payments made) not be transferred to another couple on the date they select?
Abbott Employee: Um, yes. You are correct, I do not know where it specifically says that on here (on the contract) but, our owner is not allowing us to transfer, like to gift it to anyone else because that would be a new event for a new couple.
Me: Let's say theoretically, uh, that I--let's say (names retracted) choose Sat March 6th and they have that date. You're telling me that the owner is not allowing that, let's say they decide not to go forward with the wedding--that they cannot gift to another
couple on that date?
Abbott employee: Correct. Because that would be a new couple with a new booking that could potentially bring in additional income.
Me: So what you're telling me is, it's about the money that the venue would receive versus the money already been given to the venue by (names retracted).
Abbott Employee: Yes, for their wedding.
Me: So during COVID-19 this couple has decided to cancel their wedding for the safety of themselves, family and friends and the venue does not care even when the couple has expressed the desire for the venue to keep the money and use it towards another couple--the venue is still wanting the potential income from someone else. Is that correct? Is that what I am hearing?
Abbott employee: "Yes--that is the decision the owner has made. That he cannot allow people to gift money towards one event to another. We can still have their event rescheduled it just needs to be their event.
I am only posting this because I think it's important to see the priorities of the businesses we utilize.
To clarify, we are not discussing a small amount of money. This couple has paid $10,727.26 for this venue. And they are not refunding even a $1 of this money.
We followed up asking for the owner's contact information in which we received response that they are not "allowed" to provide the contact information for the owner. read more