On February 19, 2002 I reserved the Riverwalk Plaza Hotel ballroom for my wedding reception for June 28, 2003. The full amount would cost $650.00, and I wrote a check for $575.00. On July 23, 2002 I read an article in the Jackson Citizen Patriot newspaper that they owe back taxes of about $23,000. They might also be eligible for auction in the spring of 2003.
With that in mind, I decided that I did not want to take a chance of them not being in business for the time of my reception on June 28, 2003. I went to the hotel on July 23, 2002 and canceled my reservation. I spoke to David (the ballroom coordinator). He copied the receipt that I had and added my name and address to it. He told me that he would have to fax this copy to their corporate office in Detroit. I would then have to receive a corporate refund check from them and should expect it within a week.
On August 2, 2002 I went in to the hotel and spoke to David to let him know that I have not received the check yet. I was going out of town August 3-10, so he apologized and said he will look into it and that I should receive it once I get back. After getting back into town, I still found no check. I went in to the hotel on August 13, 2002 to let David know that I have not received the check, and I need it ASAP because I have reserved another location and need to pay for it.
He told me that he was sorry because he mother had been sick and he wasn't able to find out much about it. He said he would talk to the General Manager about it. I ended up having to pay for the new reservation on my fiancs credit card. I made a phone call to David on August 22, 2002, letting him now that it has been a month and I still havent received it. David told me that the lady at the corporate office that was in charge of the refunds hasn't been in the office lately because of her sick mother and should be sending it out in the next two days.
I called again on August 26, 2003 knowing that Im going to be getting the bill soon for the credit card and still want to know 'where is my money'? He said that the check actually had to come from California and had to stop in Detroit for another signature and then would be sent directly to me. He said he has a copy of the check before it left California. I recently just called on September 5, 2002 after still not receiving it and told David that I am sick of getting this 'run-around' and need the money now because I have a credit card bill to pay.
He replied that he was speechless. He said he would call the next day and let me know whats going on. I received no call the next day. It is now September 9th and I am debating on how to deal with this. I consider the whole amount of $575.00 returned to me to be fair, and they have agreed to that. It may also be fair to pay any finance charges or late fees that I may incur while I don't have the money to pay on the credit card.
