TEL : 416-653-4986    EMAIL : BARWED@ROGERS.COM
MAIN MENU
Home
Weddings & Honeymoons
GROOM magazine
GIFTS magazine
WINES For Weddings
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
CARIBBEAN Weddings
ROMANTIC GETAWAYS
NEWLYWEDS magazine
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
FATHER OF THE BRIDE
WEDDING SHOWS
WEDDING DIRECTORY
SITEMAP


Celebrity Weddings

Backyard wedding for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and bride
Celebrity Engagements

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
Real Weddings
Maid of Honour
Tips for Choosing
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaid Fashions
Wedding Guests
Attractions & Events
Movie & TV Weddings
- Advertisements -











| WEDDING Scams
Planning
June 7, 2011


Avoid Wedding Scams when choosing your products and services

With most weddings averaging more than $28,000, there’s not a penny left to gamble on unreliable vendors

by Shelley Waugh
Every bride deserves to have their big day go off without a hitch. When preparing for the day of your dreams proceed with caution. Doing your research and asking for referrals can make all the difference in helping your wedding day go as smoothly as possible.

Check with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) for any complaints against wedding related services that you are interested in such as wedding planners, bridal shops, car or limousine rentals, DJs, wedding photographers, florists, jewellers. Many common complaints are centred on the company’s unwillingness to honour cancellation and refund policies after a deposit had been paid.

From choosing a florist to picking out the perfect wedding gown, more and more soon-to-be brides are opting for online retailers. While most venues have the brides’ best interest at heart, it’s important to recognize the red flags before shelling out the cash.

Recommendations & Tips:

Research all online vendors.
When choosing to go with an online retailer for your wedding services or products start with a trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can often lead you to unscrupulous websites or phishing scams.  Also, look for the BBB (Better Business Bureau) seal and other widely-recognized trustmarks on retail websites. Click on the seals to confirm they’re valid. Confirm that your online purchase is secure. Look for the “s” after “http” in the URL or the lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Be sure to check the company out with the local BBB before doing business with them.  

Review all terms and conditions.
Whether you’re dealing with a company online or in-person, review all terms and conditions carefully. What is the company’s refund and exchange policy? What is their cancellation policy?  What happens if the company can’t hold up their end of the bargain? Who will perform the service on your special day? Be sure you understand your rights as a consumer before doing business with the company.  

Keep documentation of your order.
For online orders, save a copy of the confirmation page or e-mails confirming the order until you receive the item or service and are satisfied. If you’re dealing with a company face-to-face, be sure to get all details in writing, including specific dates, products, prices, cancellation and deposit policies and signatures from both parties.

Pay with a credit card.
Credit cards offer consumers the added protection of disputing any charge over $50 within 60 days of the purchase. Most established businesses accept major credit cards, so use them whenever possible, including payment for deposits. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized charges on the card, and many card issuers have “zero liability” policies if someone steals your card number and uses it. Never wire money.

Consider purchasing wedding insurance.
Wedding insurance can cover a range of prospective problems including vendor no-shows, cancellations, inclement weather, military deployment, medical emergencies, travel delays and more. Many policies start at $200 and can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Recommendations & tips from BBB. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities. Visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.


www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | Wedding Scams | June 7, 2011
Copyright 2012 Weddings & Honeymoons. All Rights Reserved

CMS Powered by c-Seven's Mantis