Several consumers turned to the NBC 5 Responds team after paying thousands of dollars to a special event venue to host their weddings and parties – only to find out the company was leaving after booking.
Some of the consumers said the owner had promised refunds. Weeks later, the same consumers told NBC 5 Responds that they hadn’t received their money.
Read on to learn more about five families looking for answers and what steps each consumer can take when this happens to you.
Brides, grooms: wedding plans pending
When Chanequa Ned toured The Manderley in DeSoto, she said she fell in love with the location and the surroundings.
“It was beautiful, the venue was beautiful,” said Ned.
Ned said she booked The Manderley in January for their September 26 wedding date for $ 3,325. But that spring, Ned said her wedding coordinator was struggling to get in touch with The Manderley and his owner, Cynde Williamson.
“Are you sure this is the right number? Because I don’t get any callbacks from her, ”Ned recalled the question from her wedding coordinator.
Ned said she and a friend emailed the venue, and on June 7, The Manderley replied that they were building to repair winter storm damage and that Ned’s wedding was still on track for September.
Ned said she personally drove to the venue and found the door open and the building empty.
“When I came I saw that there was nothing in the building,” said Ned.
The owner told NBC 5 that The Manderley moved out in late February 2021 when the lease expired. It said it couldn’t give any further details or confirm whether there was storm damage.
Another bride, Shemieka Bell, told NBC 5 Responds, “Things got a little bumpy when I started reaching them and I got no response. Our wedding day was getting closer and closer. “
Bell said she learned that The Manderley had moved out of the room she had booked a few months before their August 21 wedding.
“Everything is done for our wedding,” said Bell. “The catering, the decorator, the photographer, everything is done. Everyone is booked for the day to come out for us. “
A third bride, Shequilar Williams, told NBC 5 Responds, “I got a little anxious when my decorator didn’t even get a call back.”
Williams said she asked Cynde Williamson for a refund.
“She knew I was actually looking for a different venue and expecting a full refund. She promised me and assured me that she would do it for me, ”Williams said.
Williams said she ended up signing a cancellation agreement that promised a refund within seven days. Williams said she filed the agreement in mid-June and said the refund has still not been received.
The Jack family said The Manderley offered to move their wedding to another location – about 20 miles away.
“We really didn’t care that much,” said Briana Jack. “We went through her cancellation process, but we haven’t heard from her yet.”
Jack’s wedding date on August 7th has expired. Briana Jack said her mother paid The Manderley $ 3,180 and the family has not yet received a refund.
“You can’t even find another location or try to prepare for another wedding,” said groom Toddy Jack. “Where’s the joy in that after losing thousands of dollars that you put into a wedding that you paid for in full and now can’t even do it?”
The entrepreneur’s lawyer answers
NBC 5 responds by the name The Manderley. One record said it doesn’t run tours or book new events for 2021 or 2022.
We got in touch via email and his Facebook page. A lawyer named NBC 5 replied back, saying owner Cynde Williamson is still in business and looking for a long-term location.
Attorney Trevor Beaty said Williamson is working with clients to move their events to other locations.
We have requested more details from consumers who have contacted NBC 5 Responds about the status of the refunds requested. We also asked for more information on why The Manderley moved and how the company communicated the change to customers.
In a follow-up email, Beaty wrote in part: “The Manderley respectfully declines to answer any of these questions because those questions are based on false assumptions and assumptions, many of which are contractual and legal in nature.”
The email also said, “COVID has forced changes on all of us and The Manderley was no different. The Manderley has done everything possible to meet and fulfill all of its obligations as far as is reasonably and legally possible. “
We have included the full email in this story. Scroll down to read the full answer.
Steps Consumers Can Take
NBC 5 Responds asked another attorney, Dominic Ribaudo, of NorthWest Texas Legal Aid, what consumers can do when faced with a similar situation.
Ribaudo said if a contract doesn’t require a customer to accept a new venue, they shouldn’t have to.
If a consumer thinks a company is breaking a contract, Ribaudo says, start by asking your questions in writing.
“You could send the other party a registered letter asking for any kind of assurance that they can perform the contract,” said Ribaudo.
Ribaudo said to keep copies of all communications with the company – including emails and text messages. The next stop for the consumer may be a small claims court.
“The easiest way is to file this small claims suit so you can try to get a judgment against the other side because that judgment will give you many additional opportunities to get the money that company will pay you back everything you lost” said Ribaudo.
If you paid for the deal with a credit or debit card, you can try reporting the charge to your financial institution. Ribaudo recommends that consumers call their bank or credit card company and explain the situation.
“You can usually file these disputes online. However, some consumers may have difficulty finding their way around. In some cases, you may have difficulty choosing all the right options on your own, ”said Ribaudo.
Judith Madrigal said her family did so while trying to get a refund for her daughter’s planned quinceañera at The Manderley.
“I did my part of my argument, my sister hers. We both deposited money over this argument. It’s not over yet, ”said Madrigal.
Madrigal said that while the bank is investigating the chargeback, the family moved elsewhere with a celebration.
Consumers can also try filing a complaint with the Texas Office of the Attorney General. The WG’s office said filing complaints helps the office identify the types of problems it is best able to resolve.
The BBB said consumers can try to file a complaint and ask the BBB to contact the company on their behalf.
“If I don’t get my money back, I’ll basically have to start over,” Ned said of her wedding plans in September.
“This is supposed to be one of the best times of your life and I feel like this moment was stolen from me and my fiancé,” added Ned.
You can read the full response from The Manderley’s attorney Trevor Beaty shared with NBC 5 Responds below.
The Manderley respectfully declines to answer any of these questions as these questions are based on false assumptions and assumptions, many of which are contractual and legal in nature. The Manderley has contracts with different people, as you mentioned, but each situation is factually and legally different. None of these questions can be adequately or adequately addressed generally or with universal questions that apply to all instances. There is no denying that COVID is on everyone’s lips, especially when it comes to small business owners, as are Ms. Williamson and other actors in this whole situation. COVID has forced changes on all of us and The Manderley was no different. The Manderley has done everything possible to meet and fulfill all of its commitments as reasonably and legally possible. The Manderley treats each customer individually and with the due respect and respect everyone deserves. However, I urge you to carefully examine each case and contract before making false and inflammatory statements publicly, as doing so would be a disservice to the truth.
Neither Ms. Williamson nor I are currently available to meet on camera, but this idea will stay with us if the opportunity arises. In the meantime, we will continue to work through and investigate each of these problems to find the best possible solution for all of them. Contrary to what they claim, The Manderley is not averse to communication. Anyone you named are welcome to contact my office to discuss this. Unfortunately, this is not the best forum for such a discussion.
NBC 5 Responds is committed to researching your concerns and getting your money back. Our goal is to give you answers and, if possible, solutions and a solution. Call us at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) or fill out our customer complaint form.
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