Vendor Complaint

[Kaisie]

I would just like to send a note to any brides thinking of booking a wedding with Dee Photographer of Minneapolis. This past summer I paid her to be my photographer. When my husband and I sat down with her to discuss what services she would provide for the money we were giving her she said that we could have an unlimited amount of all digital pictures and that her husband would provide video clips so that there would be no need to hire a videographer. Two days before the wedding her husband called to say she had taken ill and wouldn't be able to photograph the wedding but would be sending someone in her place. Of course I felt badly for her and her family and hoped for a speedy recovery. They sent a woman who used regular film that took twice as long to shoot so we got half the amount of pictures we were expecting. Also because her husband wasn't able to attend there was no video. Approximately 3 weeks after the wedding I had not heard from either Dee or her husband, Al so I called to check up. There was no answer and after another week and no response I called again and sent an email this time asking for my pictures and a small refund for not getting what we were promised. Dee answered the email saying not to worry the pictures would be done soon. Another week or two went by and nothing so I sent another response, this one more firm than the last. This time I received a quick response saying there was no reason that I would get a refund and that my pictures would be ready soon. After another month and no word back on my pictures I began sending emails and at one point called and got hung up on. When I did get in touch with her after approximately two months after the wedding Dee answered saying she had just gotten home from the hospital that day and was sure the pictures would be done soon. After another week or so I sent an email saying I had had enough, to just send me the pictures and without a refund even though I felt that I had not gotten what I paid for and was promised. Two days later I had the pictures (minus any pictures of the groom's family even though we all remember taking them) with a copy of the email saying I didn't want a refund.
On her website Dee links this company as a way to find vendors for your wedding. I think it is important to know my story because I feel that I was treated very poorly and robbed of money I should have gotten back. I still don't know if Dee and Al were truthful about any of it but even if they were I would think they would be happy to give me a small refund to keep a customer happy after they had failed to provide them of a service they promised. I would also think they would have been more quick to respond or to at least return my messages if they didn't have anything to hide.
The Better Business Bureau of Minneapolis does not list Dee Photographer as a member, so that is why I am posting this message. Maybe it was all just handled poorly but the point of it is to be very careful. Make sure you understand the contract, if it says no refunds will be given even if they don't show up or something goes wrong, you might want to go somewhere else.