Into every wedding a little complications must arise... did I just mix my metaphors? Oh well. Either way Les Naiman from Naiman's Catering has backed out of our agreement to cater our wedding.
Our side of the story is that Naiman's contract that he provided us, well, it doesn't protect us or him. In fact, we had several lawyer-friends informally look it over and they all agreed... it had a lot of holes in it. Holes that could leave either party open to be screwed when the final bill came due. So we suggested a new contract to specify the exact duties that both sides would be expected to perform.
In other words, we simply spelled out what it was we had talked about and orally agreed to.
Bottom line: Naiman didn't want to be bothered with addressing our concerns for a more spelled out agreement.
Here's his first email to us...
Are we upset? Of course. It is a bad thing? Probably not. From our perspective, if he can't give us the protection of a contract that we feel comfortable with... then he's right. It's not a good fit. If he can't provide us with written assurances that us he won't drastically change prices on us, alter other elements of the wedding or otherwise slip in an unforeseen charge come billing, why would we want to go with him?
Our side of the story is that Naiman's contract that he provided us, well, it doesn't protect us or him. In fact, we had several lawyer-friends informally look it over and they all agreed... it had a lot of holes in it. Holes that could leave either party open to be screwed when the final bill came due. So we suggested a new contract to specify the exact duties that both sides would be expected to perform.
In other words, we simply spelled out what it was we had talked about and orally agreed to.
Bottom line: Naiman didn't want to be bothered with addressing our concerns for a more spelled out agreement.
Here's his first email to us...
I received the document you emailed to me on Friday and have decided not to accept it. I sent you my simple contract , stating the necessary terms for a client to confirm a date for an event. In over 30 years, I have never had to negotiate terms to cater an event. . I provide excellent food and service for a specific time and the client pays me according to the terms of my contract.In other words, he didn't even negotiate. Instead, he simply declined to be our caterer in lieu of several other "big weddings" he booked on that day. (Should I take that to mean that apparently if you're a "small fish" you aren't that important to him?) I'm guessing, it's easier to drop a client for someone with less demands than deal with them.
I already have 2 large weddings on the date of your reception ,and I don't feel that we have a good fit to continue .
Are we upset? Of course. It is a bad thing? Probably not. From our perspective, if he can't give us the protection of a contract that we feel comfortable with... then he's right. It's not a good fit. If he can't provide us with written assurances that us he won't drastically change prices on us, alter other elements of the wedding or otherwise slip in an unforeseen charge come billing, why would we want to go with him?
