Help RIU ClubHotel 45% Increase for Extras in 4 Months

[Preciousmi811]

Help!

 

I am two weeks away from my wedding and the optional services price sheet Dionne has emailed me in Feb has drastically gone up. There is a 43% increase for the Mento Band and a 45% increase for a DJ.

 

She is also trying to charge me an extra $100 since her last quote for a Huppah.

 

UGH!!! 2 weeks away and I am looking for an offsite location because I am terrified the optional service price will go up again when I get to Jamaica.

 

When I sent her the price sheet from the original document and all the emails, she said for me to read the bottom notation that says prices are subject to change without notice. Yeah, but over 40% in four months?? I can understand a 2011 price increase but this is in a matter of four months and in 2010.

 

She says she will honor the Huppah price but they changed florist and now she has to use the old florist to get that price.....which seems very fishy to me since I had to show her Tai Flora was going to charge me that price as well when I got a separate quote from them.

 

I have definitely gotten my TA involved.

 

One of Dionne's emails said she would only honor the old price if I paid in travelers check.... Uhh which old price, the Huppah, the DJ, the Mento Band, or all three? So I am giving her a chance to respond and hopefully do the right thing.

 

This is so frustrating, and Dionne said the only decoration she would assist with is putting favors on the table. Look I understand asking her to put up lights is way too much, but petals on the aisle, programs on the chair, and assembled centerpieces in the middle of a table? She said I would have to hire the florist and have them make the centerpieces if I would like that done for me.

 

I am paying for a beach reception, a package, and DJ & band, so I am definitely throwing down money.

 

I don't understand so many other brides have had terrific experiences with her. I am ready to burst into tears if anyone can help with what you paid or had increased on you I would appreciate the help.

[Preciousmi811]

I am so upset Dionne the wedding coordinator for the RIU ClubHotle in Jamaica sent me a price sheet for optional services in February and two weeks before my wedding (today) when I am ready to confirm prices she tells me a waaay higher price like 45% higher price. When I send her emails and the price sheet she sent me she tells me the bottom of the sheet says prices are subject to change without notice. WTF?? Yeah but 45% change within four months with no notice? I am so frustrated and feel like when I get to Jamaica there will be another price increase! I got my TA involved but I feel like they have you by the balls now. I am now looking for another location to have my wedding, I don't appreciate hike increases and a disregard for quotes previously sent.

 

So two weeks away and seeing if anyone is open and within my price range for my 22 people. I have never taken Zanax but I think now would be a great time to start. Please send good vibes my way I need some positive.

[svetayasofiya]

That is ridiculous! I would fight this one to the end. They should not be able to do that, it's so criminal. Prices at time of booking should be the prices that you are guaranteed.

[jodieP]

I know the feeling!!!! They chopped the numbers in my package too! my wedding package was for up to 40 now it only covers 15!! So the next package up is nearly an extra $1000! That was the Riu releasing the 2011 wedding package prices for the resort we're getting married at? don't know how it affects other resorts and packages? I'm hoping when we booked secures the price and package? the little bit at the bottom made my heart sink though, where it says 'price are subject to change without prior notice' Im waiting for my TA to get back to us??

 

Im sending lots of positive vibes your way today!!

 

Goodness knows we're gona need them to deal with this!!

 

Hugs Jodie.xx

[jennypenny23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by svetayasofiya That is ridiculous! I would fight this one to the end. They should not be able to do that, it's so criminal. Prices at time of booking should be the prices that you are guaranteed.

I AGREE!!! And Im so infuriated with you!! That is totally unacceptable and I would fight this for sure! People should never go back on their word and that goes for price quotes!

So sorry that this has happened to you. I hope it all works out for you whatever happens.

[ErinB]

That really sucks and a similar thing happened to me so I can empathize.

 

But, as TA Maureen pointed out, this was a corporate decision not the individual wedding planner. Unless you put down some sort of deposit on the items you wanted it may be difficult to get the previously quoted prices. I would still try to contact the hotel manager to see if you can get anywhere. It's a sucky situation and I'm sorry you have to go through this so close to your wedding date.

 

I don't know where the Riu Club is, but I have heard wonderful things about Negril Escape (obviously in Negril) and Evita's in Ochos Rios.

 

Good Luck!

[Mallory57]

Wow that is NOT cool. I would scan your contract and see if it says anything about locking in prices. I know this isn't always the way, but once you put down your deposit, all prices should be locked in. Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

[Preciousmi811]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen To be fair Dionne did not raise the prices, the Riu did. That does stink but it's true all the resorts add that little notation to their price lists What sort of extras were you looking at booking in which the price has increased? Did you have any of the extras previously booked and confirmed or were you just quoted prices?

The extras I was looking to book was a Mento band that went up 43% an hour, a DJ that went up 45% an hour from the price sheet she sent me in February. I just barely got a lock down on people coming and, although I have been in contact with her the past four months I never asked for another price sheet until yesterday when I went to confirm everything. The prices for the beach BBQ and cocktail hour did not change, which again I thought was weird because you would think a price hike would effect all the optional services.

I am a faithful reader of this forum and never read anywhere that a Jamaican bride had such a huge price increase unless it changed to the new years prices. Most brides were able to have the previous year prices honored because they booked during the previous year.

Dionee knew I wanted a beach reception, all of our quotes and emails revolved around that. I just thought she would have contacted me about the price increase.

She also increased a Huppah charge another $200. When I showed her the email in February for the $300 price quote and forwarded a quote from Tai Flora which was the same, she said that was the old florist price. She said she would have to use the old florist in order to give me that price. I do believe in February they were using Boulevard florist then too. So I find this weird as well.

She also emailed me that she doesn't put out any decorations other than favors on a table. If I wanted that done for me I would have to purchase items through the florist.

My other concern is when I get to Jamaica the price will go up again. I can't afford to be surprised.

And to top it off I am at my moms house right now and she only has dial up!

[Preciousmi811]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinB That really sucks and a similar thing happened to me so I can empathize. But, as TA Maureen pointed out, this was a corporate decision not the individual wedding planner. Unless you put down some sort of deposit on the items you wanted it may be difficult to get the previously quoted prices. I would still try to contact the hotel manager to see if you can get anywhere. It's a sucky situation and I'm sorry you have to go through this so close to your wedding date. I don't know where the Riu Club is, but I have heard wonderful things about Negril Escape (obviously in Negril) and Evita's in Ochos Rios. Good Luck!

I am working with them now! They will be my savior!

[Preciousmi811]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErinB That really sucks and a similar thing happened to me so I can empathize. But, as TA Maureen pointed out, this was a corporate decision not the individual wedding planner. Unless you put down some sort of deposit on the items you wanted it may be difficult to get the previously quoted prices. Good Luck!

Yeah but did corporate only raise prices on certain things? Like I said the beach BBQ price stayed the same and so did the cocktail hour.

I had not put a deposit down because my group numbers kept changing and even as of today I have one extra coming. But from what I read here most brides pay for it when they get there. I have 9 rooms booked and all of those were paid for and I have my ceremony confirmed.

Dionne said she wouldn't accept payment beforehand. Okay so now I am confused.... How did everyone pay a deposit when she told me you can only pay for the package and optional services when you arrive? I have emails to back me up on this, I even asked for the policy that says your not allowed to pay before you get there because I was trying to lock in a price so it wouldn't change again.

She also told me they only accept Visa and Master Card and when I questioned about American Express she than emailed me they accept that as well.