Carlos Melnik Complaint

[ashey063009]

HI all,

 

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up-- FI and I paid Carlos Melnik a $680 deposit in order to book him for Jun 30th-- however, with the Swine Flu causing all Canadian domestic flights to be cancelled we are unable to get married in PV anymore, and have to change our plans to Cuba.

 

Everyone EXCEPT for Carlos Melnik understood that our cancellation was not due to personal preference, but rather to domestic flight constraints.

 

I even offered him half of the deposit for his time-- leaving him 1 month and a half to book new clients PLUS keep half of our deposit for DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. He refused to budge, stating that the Mexican borders are not closed and that if we wanted to get there we could.

 

I completely understand that this is a tough time for the Mexican economy, and therefore the services within it, however his inability to negotiate after months of great communication was completely unacceptable.

 

This is nothing short of disappointing-- not only has our wedding been COMPLETELY re-planned and relocated, but now we are missing a large chunk of cash because CARLOS MELNIK doesn't feel it necessary to refund us any part of our deposit (sent Western Union-- by his request)

 

You Carlos Melnik!

[starchild]

That definitely stinks! It would have been very generous of him to return the money but honestly deposits are usually non-refundable so I'm not sure that he did anything wrong. Plus it was business as usual in most of Mexico and a lot of weddings went on, so I get his point of view as a business owner. In his eyes he held a spot for you and you flaked (I get why you had to cancel, but it isn't his fault either). I'm sorry you had to go through this but good luck with the new wedding plans

[Jacilynda]

This does suck! But I have to agree w/ starchild. I understand his point too. it was REALLY nice for your other vendors to return your money. I'm sure your wedding will be just as great in Cuba!

[TammyWright]

jamy is right that deposits are non-refundable. as much as it sucks that he did not return your deposit, he is also out some $$. The whole swine flu issue has had alot of victims on both sides, brides not being able to have the wedding of their dreams AND vendors that are losing ALOT of $$.

 

i think maybe you thought you would get some of your $$ back because some of the vendors on this forum have graciously offered to return deposits for brides that had no choice but to cancel/relocate (like moments that matter) but you have to realize that these vendors are going above and beyond and should be commended for their actions, while vendors like carlos are just doing the what is best for them.

 

Just another reason why people should book BDW vendors. These vendors are on here and really want good reviews from BDW members so they usually do the right thing.

[ashey063009]

*sigh* you girls are right. I was just a little p'od at the time. This thread is likely better off in "venting." Carlos was good during he planning process, and does amazing work. I guess all my frustration was just momentarily directed at him...

[starchild]

I understand and most people don't have money to waste so that is totally frustrating. Be excited about Cuba, your wedding will be awesome!

[Kits55]

Ashey, I think that I would feel the exact same way that you did when you started the thread. That is A LOT of money to lose out on especially because I'm sure you've spent a ton on other wedding preparations. I would be extremely disappointed in a vendor that had been great up to the moment he said no refund. Even though his work is great and his service up to that point was great it would have been a good faith gesture if he had even offered to give you SOME back. I understand that deposits are usually non refundable but having worked in a field in a service that required pre-payment and people paying per session I tried to show as much smart business sense as possible if something came up that was unavoidable for my clients. I gave money back, chose not to charge for late cancels, and even extended the expiration dates on sessions. So while I understand I still think that a smart business move would have been to give you part of your money back. In the business world if you take care of your clients they will take care of you...

[Bunsie3]

FYI...deposits are not always non-refundable. On the contrary, a majority of the time within the contract lies an out. You should read your contract with him very carefully...see if it addresses any type of unforseen extraordinary circumstance, Act of God, etc which would include a pandemic situation. Did you pay by credit card?

[kreeves42]

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that. But your wedding in Cuba will be beautiful and that's all that matters!

[JulieG]

I would be upset as well, I totally understand why you are feeling this way. Yes a lot of deposits are non-refundable but its not your choice not to get married there, you wanted to get married there and have been forced to find another location. Does he expect you and all your guests to fly to the US and then drive into Mexico because the boarders are not closed, that is not feesable at all and totally not what you envisioned for your dream wedding. I think he should have offered you half your deposit back since he has more than enough time to book someone else on your date, you are not canceling the day before or even a week before. So I totally see why you are upset.

 

I get that deposits are usually non-refundable, but its just good customer service to refund some of your money when you have to cancel and its beyond your control. I think you should also start a thread telling all the B2B's about the very understanding vendors you were going to use and how kind they have been to refund your deposit. Because that is a company I would prefer to use, not someone who refused to budge at all.