Moon Dance Cliffs

[claudette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taovandel Kerry never actually told me they were recommended (she hasn't contacted me yet). I just read about her being a vendor from a couple of pages before on this thread. That's ridiculous that I have to spend that much on a cake when I know it's only $210. I'll definitely be asking Kerry and I'll let everyone know how it goes.

I hope I didn't sound discouraging in my previous post - I completely agree with you that it's ludicrous to pay $350 when the BAKER can do it for $210! MDC should not be getting a referral fee - or at least not that large of a referral fee! Definitely let us know how it goes and I'm crossing my fingers that it goes well!

[claudette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taovandel Kim contacted me and said that there is a fee for the shuttle to the beach. She didn't say how much though--she said she was going to see why Kerry hadn't responded to my emails. I wrote her that Kerry had contacted me and said that she would be with me this week. The chair situation is crazy also. The website says it's $2 for cover and sash! I haven't been given a quote yet about the chairs---but once I do I'll let you know what she says.

I figured there would be a fee for the shuttle to the beach I hope it's not too bad.

I thought I was the only one who thought the chair situation was ridiculous! When I call Kerry out on the difference in pricing, all she says is that the website clearly states that the prices are subject to change...

I'm just taking it a day at a time - I also want to see what Kerry tells you guys before I go all bridezilla on them!!!

[Mastistyle]

I also think the chair pricing is crazy...it seems they are getting their fare share of profit...from these referral fees to the chairs...

 

I got an email from Kerry on Saturday saying she was working on an upcoming wedding wedding, but would get back to me within a week or two...I understand that they are short staffed, and each wedding needs attention, but come on. Even with island time-this is getting a little crazy.

 

Taovandel-keeping my fingers crossed that won't make you pay that much...

[big3n09]

The chair situation does sound crazy! Why can't they just give the exact prices upfront for each item in detail so nobody will be confused. I think I'm going to put my deposit down before Friday to take advantage of the grand opening rates. We want the Crystal Dawn villa and I may do about 5-6 rooms for immediate family. I sure hope they get all the kinks worked out for you guys so that I will be comfortable when my time rolls around. Stay strong ladies we're all in this together and I will say a special prayer for all of us!

[taovandel]

I received some answers to my questions...

 

1. Shuttle to the beach: There isn't a shuttle exactly--but they will be happy to arrange a taxi (Still did not mention the charge)

 

2. Chairs: I was shown 2 chairs. One was a metal chair at $1.00 (This is the one they use for the chair covers). And wooden white ones at $2.00. I'm using the wooden white ones to avoid having to get the chair covers and sashes.

 

3. Bouquets--$100 is covered in the package...we just have to pay the difference

 

No information yet about the cake--except the outline and menu says the cake will be done through MDC. I've emailed Kerry and told her that I wanted Margaret Myrie to do my cake---I'll let you know her response when I get it.

 

 

She also sent me the menu and the wedding outline---this outline brought up more questions.

 

One thing that was a red flag to me was that in the outline it states that they want to be the ones for the flowers and be the ones to contact floralfantasiesjamaica.com.....I made sure to inform Kerry that I've already gotten price quotes for the centerpieces and bouquets--because I have a feeling that the reason they want to be the contact is so they can charge an additional fee (referral fee if you want to call it that) and think that we won't know what the real price should be. I'll let you know if she responds to what I wrote about that.

 

I also asked about the food and the $115 charge. Will the price change if I change the courses? I don't really need the dessert course or the soup course....

 

I'm hoping to get some of my answers within the next week or so---I'll definitely be posting the responses when I get them to help everyone out.

 

I love this website!

[Sparkles8300]

I am seriously considering changing resorts. It seems like they took on more than they can handle with the opening of MDC. I went with them because they are a smaller resort, which I thought would mean more personal attention and a better deal overall. The problems we are having are problems I would expect from a larger resort. Now that I find out they don't even have a freaking shuttle to the beach??! I am PISSED. When we did the site visit in OCT they told me they would be running a free shuttle (and the website says they have one too). I don't want to give these people any more of my $$. We have $6,000 deposit down to save the entire resort for my wedding and now I am worried about getting it back (if I end up moving resorts). I am also pissed off because my parents are heaing down to check everything out for themselves at the end of March. Randy acted like he was doing my father a HUGE favor by giving them the grand opening rates for the end of March. Then I go on applevacations.com and find out that the rates through apple are actually $20 less/pp than the grand opening rates per night on their website AND it includes transfers!!! So Randy is acting like he is hooking my dad up since I am having my wedding there, when really other people who book through Apple will be getting a way better deal him. Not such a good feeling. I have a very bad taste in my mouth about how they are running this resort & at this point the last thing I want to do is put any $$ in their pocket. Also, on Apple, they only gave the 4 apples which is not even a good class rating for hotels. UGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am so confused!!!

[taovandel]

Here are the responses she sent me to a few of my questions--her response is in green.

 

 

 

Is there a free shuttle to the beach?

 

I’m sorry we don’t provide free shuttle to the beach. We can however make the arrange a taxi for you.

 

 

In the wedding deal--it says free bouquet. Up to what price? If it goes over the set price, I would just have to pay the difference right?

 

The bouquet is free if it’s $100 dollar or less. If the bouquet you choose is over $100 then you will be responsible for the difference.

 

 

Is the terrace where the rehearsal/reception is held private? If not, is there a way to make it more private? Does this include a fee?

 

The terrace is normally reserve for the reception & rehearsal dinner. We do not charge a fee for reserving the terrace for wedding & rehearsal dinner.

 

 

I'm right there with you on your frustrations. I also picked this resort because of the smaller scale and I thought I would have more personal attention and they wouldn't have a million things going on during one week (like a larger resort where they have have 3 weddings going on on the same day). I also picked it because of the bride on tripadvisor to showed me pictures and gave me a glowing review.

 

Some of this information is making me VERY nervous. I luckily have some time before I have to make my decision to pull out of this hotel and take my business somewhere else. I'm waiting to hear back about the cake--I think that might be my breaking point--because that would be serious nickle and diming.

 

Let us know what you decide---the information you just gave about applevacation is what is p*ssing me off right now. UGH!

[claudette]

Ugh! I'm freaking out now! Yikes! We only have about 2 or 3 days before our 90 days is here in order for us to cancel our villas! I don't know what to do! I'm extremely frustrated but at the same time I just want to get married! I've already had to change hotels - I don't want to do it again!

 

I think for me the breaking point will be the DJ - I'm going to flat out tell her that I am booking Paul at $165/hour and if she starts to say something, I'll say thank you very much, turn around, and call Miriam to tell her to refund my deposit (minus the 3%) because we're out.

 

I'll let you guys know what she says! Taovandel, I hope everything works out with the cake!

 

Sending positive vibes!

 

Claudette

[claudette]

Just looking over what Kerry had sent me again and I hadn't noticed this before, but I was asking for tea lights lining the cliff just like the bride had on tripadvisor - and Kerry told me there would be an additional fee for this because "they would have to rent it from a vendor" - rent tea lights?! Seriously! I'll go to GardenRidge and buy 200 of them for $5 thank you very much!

[claudette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkles8300 I am seriously considering changing resorts. It seems like they took on more than they can handle with the opening of MDC. I went with them because they are a smaller resort, which I thought would mean more personal attention and a better deal overall. The problems we are having are problems I would expect from a larger resort. Now that I find out they don't even have a freaking shuttle to the beach??! I am PISSED. When we did the site visit in OCT they told me they would be running a free shuttle (and the website says they have one too). I don't want to give these people any more of my $$. We have $6,000 deposit down to save the entire resort for my wedding and now I am worried about getting it back (if I end up moving resorts). I am also pissed off because my parents are heaing down to check everything out for themselves at the end of March. Randy acted like he was doing my father a HUGE favor by giving them the grand opening rates for the end of March. Then I go on applevacations.com and find out that the rates through apple are actually $20 less/pp than the grand opening rates per night on their website AND it includes transfers!!! So Randy is acting like he is hooking my dad up since I am having my wedding there, when really other people who book through Apple will be getting a way better deal him. Not such a good feeling. I have a very bad taste in my mouth about how they are running this resort & at this point the last thing I want to do is put any $$ in their pocket. Also, on Apple, they only gave the 4 apples which is not even a good class rating for hotels. UGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am so confused!!!

Sparkles,

That's awful! I would totally call Randy out on that - I don't even know why he was making a big deal of giving them the opening rates because doesn't the rate still apply so long as you book by the 19th?

I think that's ridiculous that he was doing that - I have to say I don't think Randy is the greatest businessman - I mean, did you see his response to the tripadvisor posting? Typically all the managers/owners of the hotels who have a negative review apologize profusely and sometimes even offer a return visit for free! And Randy instead writes "still whining?" I mean, what are future guests supposed to think about that?! THAT is honestly what has scared me the most about this hotel!

But if it were me, I would just tell Randy that you found a better rate on applevacations and that your parents will cancel and book through applevacations unless Randy can price match applevacations.