Historic Wagner House

TWO THUMBS DOWN FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Ownership changed in January 2015 and the new owners’ communication skills are seriously lacking. I am getting married in September 2015 and had a catering contract with the previous owner to cater my wedding, as well as provide bartenders, china, and cutlery. I am a hairstylist and do a lot of business in the wedding industry, so we had a great business relationship sending each other referrals. We agreed on the contract verbally, and I was sure I had found my caterer and had nothing to worry about. However, the contract was never sent to me for me to sign. I received a call from the new owners’ Event Coordinator exactly one month ago. She explained that The Wagner was under new ownership and had a new chef, but that she was fairly confident they could still honor my contract even though it was never actually sent to me (After all, in the State of NC a verbal agreement is still a contract). Two and a half weeks went by and I heard nothing. I called the Coordinator I had spoken with and left a message. It took her several days to call me back. She left a message stating that the owners had been out of the country and they would get back to me as soon as they returned. That was 8 days ago. Anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows (or should know) that things are time sensitive. Vendors get booked, on average, one year in advance. Apparently The Wagner House’ new owners don’t understand this, or just don’t care! So, obviously, I am not comfortable anymore with the idea of them catering my wedding. So, I am officially looking for a new caterer. I will not be referring any more business to The Wagner House, and will be sure to let everyone I know in the NC wedding industry about my NEGATIVE experience with them.