Wedding photographer has not delivered what was promised - WWYD?

[photodilemma]

My DD got married last December. She has since emigrated to Australia. Her wedding photographer has not delivered everything he was supposed to, and ignores all e-mails that she sends.

She has received 40 less photo's than promised. There are none of the speeches. She was supposed to receive a wooden keepsake box containing a wooden USB - this has never been delivered.

I am visiting her in Australia soon, and was hoping if I contacted the photographer, and asked him to send the box and USB to me, that he might actually do that, given that he could just pay for UK postage, rather than postage to Australia. The thing is, he never answers calls, and doesn't reply to messages. He still posts on his FB page, so he is alive!

WWYD as a next step? I'm thinking small claims court for a refund. She would rather just have what she was promised, but in the absence of that, maybe small claims court is the way to go. Is there anything else you'd do before taking that step?

TIA

Have you posted publicly on his FB page

I'd be commenting on his Facebook posts!

Post on his Facebook page but make sure it's factual.. small claims if not

This. I once had issue getting photos from a photographer I'd hired for a party so I resorted to his own Facebook page after trying everything else. Suddenly he appeared and was full of 'family emergency' excuses. I'd been trying to get hold of him for a month. I appreciate small business owners have emergencies but if they want to remain in business they need a contingency plan, even if it's just an out of office bounce back explaining they'll be in touch when they can.

I haven't posted on his FB page yet, as I've only been calling for a week, and what if he's on holiday? Although I guess you could argue that my DD has been trying him for a lot longer than that.

If I posted on his FB page, can't he just delete that anyway?

A professional if on holiday would have an out of office message on their phone.

I would post on Facebook, hi, can I confirm your mobile is still ××××, I'm having difficulty reaching you this week and would be grateful if you can contact me.

You can add more detail if he still continues to ignore you.

Letter before action.

We were disappointed that you failed to fulfil your side of the contract and respectfully request the outstanding items by .... Failure to supply these will mean we will have no option but to seek compensation though small claims court.

You don’t have to have a rude/complainy tone when you post though. Just something like ‘Hi John, you photographed my daughter’s wedding last week. Just wondering when we are going to receive the final photos and the keepsake box. Please pm me, many thanks’

There’s a Fb group that is handy for wedding suppliers who fail to deliver - it’s called “wedding scams, brides & companies to be aware of”. You can see if this photographer has any history.

Would you believe it, he has just replied to my Whatsapp. Said he never answers the phone as he gets a lot of spam calls!! Doesn't explain ignoring VM's and messages. Today is the first day I've mentioned that he could send me the stuff that needs posting, so maybe he's jumped on that to save him posting it to Aus? Feel a bit more hopeful. If he doesn't deliver though, I will be taking next steps!

OOH thank you!!

I have family in Australia and the post is erratic at best. Much safer to have things sent to you. Hopefully you don't need to go down the Small Claims route and he just delivers what was promised.

What a surprise! He's responded to bad publicity...never answer the phone...then how does he speak to customers...

This is what I wondered! As a self employed person myself, even if you miss a call you would listen to the VM or return messages. Let's see if he delivers. He would be mad not to, as this saves posting to Aus.

This ☝🏻