Debating suing the DJ from our wedding....

[brookea27]

Seeking advice!!!

I got married a little over a month ago. The DJ that we used did so many things wrong-here's some examples:


1) He played the wrong song as we entered the reception

2) He was in such a hurry to get back on schedule (we started 30 minutes late per his request because many guests had not arrived due to an event nearby)-that he skipped the "father of the bride speech"

3) He did not pay attention to the B&G and Father daughter dance as far as when to cut off

4) He played the wrong song during the cake cutting

5) He played music during the cocktail hour that I specifically asked him not to

6) He attempted to do the bouquet toss, when I had said Anniversary dance-when he finally figured it out-he played the wrong song

7) He started with a bridal party dance, which we clearly didn't ask for

8.) He did the Congo Line-which we had written twice not to do it in our contract

So there's some of the stuff that the DJ did wrong.

He has a No Pay Gaurantee. I made the mistake of paying him in full the night of ther wedding and not complaining to him at that time. It was the happiest day of my life, I didn't want to end it with a conflict!

We asked him for 1/2 of our money back. He sent us $100. We then wrote him another letter asking for $400. He refused. We're debating on taking him to Small Claims Court.

Any suggestions????????????????

[WhiskeyGirl]

That sucks! Our DJ screwed up too but we aren't doing anything about it. (We caught him in the bar at the hotel...we really should call his employer but I am so mad and I just want to forget it. All in all he didn't do TOO bad of a job.) Is there a thing like a "Better Business Burea" where you are from?? They usually deal with businesses who tend to rip off their customers and would probably know the right course of action to take. It sucks that your dj was such a dumb twit!! Is he the owner of this DJing company?? There really must be someone you can complain to and will help get the results that you need and want!!

Best of luck

~CB~

[sstark1218]

I agree! Find out if he owns the place or if he has a boss that you could speak with. If those ideas don't work, I would def take it to small claims. As long as you have proof that you didn't ask him to do specific things and he did do those, you would have no problem winning that case! Good Luck! I hope everything works out for you!

[usahgrad]

I know that quite frequently, just the threat of court tends to get people to do what you want them too. Also, no matter what else you do, I would file a report with the BBB so that other brides don't have the same problems you had. I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted it to, but it sounds like you didn't let it get to you on your big day, which is great! Good luck!

[LaceyinPgh]

Ok you already admitted that the wedding was the happiest day in in your life. So, he didn't ruin it. You weren't upset enough to even say something to him while he was totally messing up. Unless you have all those stipulations written into a signed and sealed contract and not just a list of what you want done or what songs you don't want played, you odn't even have a case. A to do list won't hold up in court. Secondly, the time, fees, efforts, and possibly the attorney or paralegal won't be worth the $400 you are seeking. It will cost that much just to get everything done.

I would call and complain to him and his boss. I would tell anyone about his service when the ask you for a reference. I would file with the Better Business Bureau (although they don't have any actual power). And, I would sit back and enjoy your wedding memories. Did you guests have a good time? Are you married to a wonderful man? Did everyone seem to enjoy themselves? That is all that matters.

[usahgrad]

"Secondly, the time, fees, efforts, and possibly the attorney or paralegal won't be worth the $400 you are seeking. It will cost that much just to get everything done."

While I agree that it didn't ruin too much of your wedding if you still consider it the best day of your life, I also need to point out that in small claims court, you don't need a lawyer and fees are minimul (if the fees and everything made it not worth it, there wouldn't be a point to small claims court). So if you want to take him to court...and have a contract that specifically states things he violated and proof he violated them (wedding video, guest statements, etc)...by all means. Just make sure that it doesn't cloud over the fact that you are married to a wonderful man and had a beautiful wedding.

Good luck to you...whatever you decide.

[LaceyinPgh]

While I agree that it didn't ruin too much of your wedding if you still consider it the best day of your life, I also need to point out that in small claims court, you don't need a lawyer and fees are minimul (if the fees and everything made it not worth it, there wouldn't be a point to small claims court). So if you want to take him to court...and have a contract that specifically states things he violated and proof he violated them (wedding video, guest statements, etc)...by all means. Just make sure that it doesn't cloud over the fact that you are married to a wonderful man and had a beautiful wedding.

Good luck to you...whatever you decide.

While normally I 100% agree with you Kelli, speaking from someone who had legal expereince, I wouldn't step into a court room no matter how small the claim without complete legal advice and representaion.

[CarlosHoney]

Honestly, the damage to his reputation should be more than any court claim. Tell all of the brides in your area what happened. Bridal consultants, vendors, spread the word about your terrible DJ. File a claim with the BBB for sure, and if he has a boss, let him know.

Pretty much what everyone else said! :wink:

But, I would go after the $400. Small claims isn't too tough really.. You just have to have some doccumentation that he went against your wishes, and that it was in writing. He should have known better than to goof off while working!! :roll:

[allydawn0040]

That stinks! I would definetaly file a report with the BBB. On one of our local news stations they have a segment called "What makes you mad?" where people send in their issues (from dings from shopping carts to insurance companies that won't pay up). If you have something like that there you may want to consider contacting them with your story. However I agree with everyone else here that you said it was the happiest day of your life so he didnt' ruin the entire event or the memories. I am so sorry this happened to you! Blessings, allydawn0040

[wolf4091]

i would absolutely take him to small claims court and then not worry about it. he did not comply with your contract. on the other hand however it does seem like a petty thing to complain over. you clearly still had a nice wedding and all your guests had a nice time. and that is all that matters.

[9801crystal]

Congratulations on getting married. Ok here it goes. You hired a dj for four hundred dollars. You say you didn't like his service. And it sounds like he really didn't know what he was doing. He did play the wrong music and didn't play the father and daughter dance. That is really important to the bride. You found a dj at a reasonable price. I paid $395 for my dj he did a excellent job. I just wish you had my dj he was so fun. Have you complained to the company what have they said. You say at the end of your post that he did refund your 100 dollars but not the entire amount.

I want you to write down everything he did at this event. That way all of this will come back. Write down everything he did wrong. Like did he show up an hour late? Was he considerate to your guest? Did you request music at that time and place. And did he even at least play your or your guest music they requested to his face. Was his speakers out of tune did they sound warped? A dj should love his job obviously he didn't. Did the guest gripe about his services days after the wedding? Were the guest dancing and drinking and having a good time. Were you dancing? Or did you think the whole day of the wedding. I cannot believe it how dare him the whole day. Hopefully not. Nothing goes right at a wedding something will always mess up.

Heck my preacher showed up 45 minutes late to my wedding. But we didn't pay his whole entire payment because of that. But it didn't bring me down. Because I had so much alchol for the guest they were just content. But I had a very bossy photographer ugh. And as opinionated and as blunt as I am. I just held it in and smiled. Enough about me back to you though.

But just think of the things I said in my third paragraph. Also if you do go to court the judge will say well the dj already has given you a hundred dollars. He might award you with a hundred but that is it. I think the dj should have only kept two hundred for hisself. And given you the other half. He did entertain the guest and provide music. That is the only credit he gets from me. But I would report the company to better business burea. Or complain about them in a bad vendor list section in a bridal magazine. Tell us what you do later and give us the scoop
Good Luck
Crystal