Delicate Art Photography

I reached out to Delicate Art Photography on Friday 5/10/19 requesting more information related to a Newborn Mini package for an upcoming baby shower.
On 5/11/19 *** responded to my inquiry stating that she would send over a link to purchase the package and she could than mail me the gift certificate, or I could pick it up in person.
On 5/13 I send a message to *** via email providing all of her requested information.
On 5/19 I followed up with another message to *** stating I had not seen a response and the baby shower was right around the corner.
On 5/27 I reached out to *** again stating that my payment was transacted, however I had not received the certificate in the mail.
On 5/28 she responded to my inquiry that she had mailed it and to the correct address, but then also attached a soft copy for me (which I have attached all applicable emails and certificates).
That is where our communication ended for some time. Until the recipient of that gift card reached out to me on 12/9 stating that she was unable to get ahold of anyone via email or telephone/voice mail at Delicate Art Photography. She had been trying to reach someone over the previous month.
So I jumped in and tried to get the situation figured out as I had assumed it was just some sort of miss understanding (wrong phone number, wrong email, etc.).
On 12/9 I sent *** a message through *** to her personal page stating the following: “Hi ***, I have tried to reach you via phone as well as email. I had purchased a newborn photography package from you this past summer as a baby shower gift. I understand that individual has been unsuccessful in getting in touch with you also. Either XXXX or I need to get a return message from you…either phone call or email, or I will be forced to take additional action. Please get in touch with either one of us today or tomorrow! Thanks.”
On 12/11 I received an email from *** stating that she had not received any other emails besides the message I sent her through ***. Stating that E-mail is always best for communication vs. phone calls as she has straight talk and her service is unreliable. She went on to state that the recipient of the GF reached out to her a couple weeks after giving birth and was already pushing the “newborn timeframes”. She shared that the recipient went on to say that she would possibly like to upgrade the package, however needed to discuss with her husband first. She than stated that she did not hear back from the recipient for months until I reached out in December.
On 12/12 the recipient of the GF reached out to *** via email using the communication thread I had already started. In this message she included what she recalled from the conversation she had with *** verbally, that “some people take newborn photos up to 6 months after”. She had asked if she could use the GF towards a different package. In this message it was highlighted that the expiration date on the GF was 12/2020. Also stating that she didn’t have the physical GF and would *** still honor it. It was also stated that they were still interested in getting photos taken, and stated they would pay the difference. It was than stated that they could not make time in the upcoming week due to the holidays, unless it could occur after 7pm. Also stating they were hoping to get something set up after the holidays if possible.
On 12/17
• Another email was sent from the recipient to *** asking if she could provide any information in response to the email sent on 12/12.
• I received the email from the GF recipient. In response to that I sent another email to *** asking for an update (it had been since 12/9 since we heard from her last). I stated that I understand we are in the midst of the Holiday season, however if she was not going to respond I asked that the GF be refunded and I asked for a response by 12/20.
• *** responded with an email stating that she would prefer we find a different photographer and that she would only offer a 50% refund.
• I responded that I was not satisfied with that offer and that I wanted a 100% refund and provided my phone number so that we could discuss the situation.
• *** responded that should would not be fully refunding me. After that she sent another email finally outlining her “restrictions, stipulations/timelines” for the first time (which were never shared prior on the company website, on the gift certification, in the email trails from May or verbally with myself or the gift certificate recipient.

Bottom line *** made it so uncomfortable for the recipient to do a photo shoot, so that was no longer an option. *** stated that she would only grant a refund of 50% and it would have to be done through the original purchase method. Unfortunately that CC was closed months after it was used to purchase and that no longer was an option. *** claims that due to my CC being closed she could not refund me. I don’t know of any other business that operates this way. If they would or do I would have to believe it would be communicated upfront…not after the fact. So $225 no pictures and no refund.