Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
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Anonymous
| We had a custom banquette built in our kitchen and I attempted to have a table made on my own, but realized it was a much bigger project than I am prepared to do alone. A friend of my sister is an interior designer. I like her style and reached out to her at the end of 2013 to help me with a custom table and the possibility for more design services. I made it clear though the priority is the table. We had a few of meetings at my house, she shared some general/broad/vague but good ideas and pictures, and then she emailed me a contract. I never signed it, but I did give her a check for a considerable sum of money. The amount owed, per the contract, is non-refundable and does not go towards any actual items. 6+ months later I still have no table, no design plan, and a just a few $$$ fabric swatches for rooms that I'm not particularly interested in redecorating. My husband, of course, keeps asking where the table is and I keep emailing, calling and texting her. First she was sick. Then she went to Europe for a month (I was able to follow her travels on Facebook...). Now she's back and sick again. Like I mentioned previously, I never signed a contract but I did give her the money. That said, I got nothing in return -- not even a statement of hours worked. This may be a lost cause and my money is probably gone, but I'm curious if there's a way to nicely ask for the money back? TIA |
Anonymous
| I don't think you need to be nice, particularly. Just tell her that it isn't working out and may you please have your $$ back? That's crazy. |
Anonymous
| 6+ months later, I think you've been scammed. |
Anonymous
I think you financed her trip to Europe. 
I would send her a certified letter requesting payment and stating the contract was never signed and no work's been performed. Then specifically ask the money be returned. You can always take her to small claims court. |
Anonymous
| I'm an interior designer and that's horrible! You absolutely should get your money back. And even if you had signed the contract she hasn't delivered what she promised you in return. Therefore the contract hasn't been upheld by her. Threaten court if she says she won't give the money back. |
Anonymous
| I did almost the same thing, but it was a friend of a friend. In the end I let her keep the $250 in the interest of our mutual friend, which is what everyone advised at the time. I regret it to this day. I have absolutely nothing to show for it. |
Anonymous
| Yes, it was convenient that her trip occurred relatively soon after I paid. Thanks for your feedback. Small claims court crossed my mind, but I'd really prefer not to go there. She did have someone come measure every.single.window in our house for window treatments so that's the only real work that was performed. Maybe she'll do the right thing and return the balance? I'm doubtful though. Now I'm off to send a certified letter. |
Anonymous
| Has the check been cashed? |
Anonymous
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Yikes! I'm a designer as well and feel bad sometimes when I don't return an email in 24 hours. This is just terrible!
How many hours was the deposit for? I could design a table in a few hours at most and that's not atypical. |
Anonymous
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Oh yes, months ago. She previously pushed for a meeting with me and my husband, but he didn't want it and I waived her off explaining we just want to see some progress on the table.
Ok, so reading her letter and contract again, and it says: "We view our agreement as a symbol of commitment between us. Our retainer is credited towards design time. Our design time includes creative concepts and design, floor plans, meeting times, shopping time for furniture, fabric and lighting selections, paint selections, and management of contractors." I'm sure she's easily spent the retainer (not deposit) I paid based on the above. Still, I haven't received a quote for anything. I should just walk away but it was a lot of money and now I'm angry at myself. |
Anonymous
| I paid her $5000 and her hourly rate is $175. |
Anonymous
lol |
Anonymous
Say what now? You need to get your money back ASAP! If you have money like that to throw around, I'm sure you have a lawyer who can draft up a letter and scare her into returning your money. |
Anonymous
| I would suggest that when you send her a letter, you say something like "I appreciate that you have spent some time on this project and would think that 10 hours is appropriate to cover what you've performed to date, but I would like to be reimbursed the balance of the deposit, which by my calculations woudl be $3250." Use whatever number you choose, but 10 hours seems about right if she's gotten someone to measure windows, she's done some fabric selections, some consultation work with you, etc. I can easily see somewhere in the 5-12 hour range. |
Anonymous
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I had a horrible experience with an interior design company, too, and was pissed to lose out on WAY less than that! (boxedesigns.com--would not recommend)
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