It's actually long and drawn out. It starts December 28th, 2007 and continues to date June 16th, 2008. We live in KS and are having my daughters Wedding in Toledo, OH. Most of the Bride's family is in OH, and the grooms family is mostly in MI. We had the bridal shower in KS to accommodate friends and family here and September 5th, 2008 will be the wedding in OH. Due to Monroe, MI being so close to Toledo, we decided to have reception at Ambassador Hall after reading their Advertisement on the internet. There were a couple of things that drew our attention to them. 1) If you have your function on a Friday you could get $28.00 per person price X 150 min.
2) Gratuity was included
3) They include a Honeymoon suite, wishing well, champane toast, cake table with all the plates, napkins, etc.
We were so very excited. Called Church to see if 9/5/08 was available for a Friday night. Then called Hall to see if they were open for that date also.
After talking to the owners, we were excited and felt like everything was falling into place, and we were not going to have problems like other people, that you hear about having during wedding planning. So We Thought!!!
We made arrangements with the owners for my (mother of the bride) parents to go to the Hall, pay the deposit, and sign contract on my behalf. (due to living in KS, of course)
Everything seemed to go great! Mom called from the Hall to say that everything was beautiful and everything he told me he repeated to my parents. So happily they signed the contract 1/7/08,that was waiting for them. But, when mom got home, she called me to asked did I know that the fee had changed to $30. per person, and that the contract was very vague. I asked her to send it to me ASAP. I received it 1/13/08, and pulled up the Advertisement on the internet. It still read the same.
I called Ambassador Hall immediately, and the owner said that this was an oversight and that 14 days prior to our event he would make necessary changes, and not to worry. So, I accepted him at his word, and didn't worry. Until, I received a phone call from mom April 1st, "I just got a phone call from Ambassador Hall wanting another $1000." and did I know anything about it? No!
Since, there was nothing said about another payment, we were looking at paying the balance 14 days prior to reception. I called my attorney immediately and sent her a copy of the contract from 1/7/08.
She contacted Ambassador Hall, and they explained that the $1000. that was given 1/7/08 was only a hold for the date and that according to the contract they were expecting another $1000. for a deposit. Wow!!!! What a slap in the face. Nothing was ever mentioned that $1000. was for a hold only. And Nothing was ever mentioned that in 180 days prior to the event another $1000. was going to be due.
We were all in a tailspin. My attorney had spoke with owner about perhaps working with the family due to money issues, and he told her to have us send any amount in good faith.
So, I wrote him a letter, but only sent $50. At this time it was all I could afford. Mom and dad said that they would pay the 2nd $1000. if I wanted, but I wasn't feeling very good about this situation. I'm thinking about this open contract that the owner claimed he would fill in correctly later. Things are not adding up, and I didn't want to be loosing more money, and not having a Hall all the sudden.
When Ambassador Hall received my $50. they said that it was unacceptable and if I tried to send less than $1000. again, they would return my funds. I was a little put out, due to their keeping my little $50 and still demanding $1000. But, during this conversation, other problems started. Now, they were taking away things that were clearly in their Advertisement. Such as, 15% gratuity, wishing well, cake table, and so on. So, I said "put what you are saying in writing". I was so angry I could hardly contain myself, and I called my attorney again.
Then, I got the letter from Ambassador Hall plus a filled in contract, written over the first contract to look as though mom signed it and agreed to it. OH! MY GOD! I gasped.
And there is so much more after this. But, through everything that they have said and done their only remark is "read your contract". They, "stand behind their contract". Then, to top everything off, during all this time we have been trying to get them to abide by their Advertisement, and they cancelled our reception.
So, we have turned them into the Better Business Buearu, Attorney General of MI, District Attorney of Monroe, MI, Consumer Fraud Division on MI, and all the same in OHIO.
Since, April 8th, 2008, our whole family has been under such stress and anxiety.
Since our money is tied up at Ambassador Hall, we are unable to afford another hall. So, we are having reception in fellowship hall of church, hoping that not more than 125 people show up (capacity)no drinking, no dancing.
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