Anonymous
Post 07/08/2014 07:37     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UPDATE: I sent the letter and almost immediately received a phone call/VM from her apologizing for "dropping the ball". She refunded per my request, although about $1k less than what I requested. I also received a package with a detailed outline, including suggested linen and rug samples, a spreadsheet of her hours worked, too (hence the lower amount refunded). She did make mention that she normally doesn't refund money, per the contract, but something along the lines that friendship trumps that.

Thanks for your feedback. And I've almost solved the table problem on my own now, too.


Glad you got at least some of it back and something for your money.


Ditto. And am glad you didn't have to resort to small claims court. Good luck with the table!
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2014 07:34     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:UPDATE: I sent the letter and almost immediately received a phone call/VM from her apologizing for "dropping the ball". She refunded per my request, although about $1k less than what I requested. I also received a package with a detailed outline, including suggested linen and rug samples, a spreadsheet of her hours worked, too (hence the lower amount refunded). She did make mention that she normally doesn't refund money, per the contract, but something along the lines that friendship trumps that.

Thanks for your feedback. And I've almost solved the table problem on my own now, too.


Glad you got at least some of it back and something for your money.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2014 06:59     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:UPDATE: I sent the letter and almost immediately received a phone call/VM from her apologizing for "dropping the ball". She refunded per my request, although about $1k less than what I requested. I also received a package with a detailed outline, including suggested linen and rug samples, a spreadsheet of her hours worked, too (hence the lower amount refunded). She did make mention that she normally doesn't refund money, per the contract, but something along the lines that friendship trumps that.

Thanks for your feedback. And I've almost solved the table problem on my own now, too.


Great news! And good luck with the table.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2014 06:44     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
UPDATE: I sent the letter and almost immediately received a phone call/VM from her apologizing for "dropping the ball". She refunded per my request, although about $1k less than what I requested. I also received a package with a detailed outline, including suggested linen and rug samples, a spreadsheet of her hours worked, too (hence the lower amount refunded). She did make mention that she normally doesn't refund money, per the contract, but something along the lines that friendship trumps that.

Thanks for your feedback. And I've almost solved the table problem on my own now, too.
VArealtor
Post 06/20/2014 19:10     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Goodness, OP. I'm sorry that this happened to you.

Get an attorney to send a certified demand letter (you should be able to get this done fairly cheaply) with a deadline for reimbursement. If you receive no response then move forward with a small claims suit.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 16:12     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
OP here. Yea, I'm still surprised she's done nothing. My sister knows and is disappointed, but like I said, they're not exactly close. Just friends and in different locations - literally and figuratively - in their lives. I'm sure this will make for an awkward situation next time they do see each other. I would post her information (she is accredited and highly celebrated) but she's not in the DC area. I guess if I don't get my money back I'll post anywhere and everywhere about her though!
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 14:20     Subject: Re:Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:
. You hired someone for a service, you are unhappy with the service.


IANAL, but I'm not sure that she hired her for the service if no one signed the contract.


It's obvious that you're not a lawyer.

OP, this is called "unjust enrichment." She took your money for a service that she did not perform. Send her a demand letter and if she does not return your money, take her to small claims court. Based on what you have said here, you will absolutely get your money back in court.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 11:14     Subject: Re:Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:
. You hired someone for a service, you are unhappy with the service.


IANAL, but I'm not sure that she hired her for the service if no one signed the contract.


You don't necessarily need a signed contract to contract for services. It just helps when trying to sort out messes like these.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 11:09     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
No, she hasn't received the services she paid for - specifically, the design and delivery of a custom dining table.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 11:00     Subject: Re:Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:
. You hired someone for a service, you are unhappy with the service.


IANAL, but I'm not sure that she hired her for the service if no one signed the contract.


She voluntarily handed someone money for the exchange of services, which she's actually received but is unhappy with the quality of. There's no theft here at all. Contract or otherwise. When you hand someone $20 at a carwash to clean your car, and they do a crappy job, its just a crappy job, not theft.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 10:03     Subject: Re:Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
. You hired someone for a service, you are unhappy with the service.


IANAL, but I'm not sure that she hired her for the service if no one signed the contract.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 09:39     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:First call the police. They might view this as theft. Then call a lawyer. You may be entitled to have your attorney's fees paid by the deadbeat designer under your state's consumer protection statute, plus triple damages, plus punitive damages. Definitely worthwhile to pursue.


Dont call the police. Thats the stupidest thing ever and an incredible waste of resources. They are not going to view it as theft. You hired someone for a service, you are unhappy with the service. Do you call the police when UPS fails to deliver a package too?

Who are you crazy people?


Don't call the police. Don't call a lawyer either. You'll end up paying more than you lost in fees. Send the certified letter and then, if you don't get a response, sue her in small claims. I think it's a $25 filing fee in DC (or it was when I filed a similar case). Nothing to lose at this point.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 09:37     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Anonymous wrote:First call the police. They might view this as theft. Then call a lawyer. You may be entitled to have your attorney's fees paid by the deadbeat designer under your state's consumer protection statute, plus triple damages, plus punitive damages. Definitely worthwhile to pursue.


Dont call the police. Thats the stupidest thing ever and an incredible waste of resources. They are not going to view it as theft. You hired someone for a service, you are unhappy with the service. Do you call the police when UPS fails to deliver a package too?

Who are you crazy people?
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 00:18     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
First call the police. They might view this as theft. Then call a lawyer. You may be entitled to have your attorney's fees paid by the deadbeat designer under your state's consumer protection statute, plus triple damages, plus punitive damages. Definitely worthwhile to pursue.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2014 00:04     Subject: Can I ask for my interior design deposit back?
Ugh. Don't hire a friend of a friend unless that person is highly accredited and has a legitimate business setup around their talent. Sue the lady and write a post on ripoff report about your experience with her so other people will see it