DJ D Mac

With regards to the complaint filed against my business, I would first like to note that I am truly sympathetic to my client and the unfortunate circumstances he and his fiancé endured last monthHowever, I feel the client has mischaracterized said circumstances and in service of his complaint omitted critical detail which I will describe here to the best of my abilityI am the founder and principal of a DJ services businessWe service a variety of events, including private parties, corporate events, fundraisers, weddings, and moreWith specific regards to the latter, I help over couples a year have their dream wedding with DJ, audio, and lighting services provided by my team of DJsWe have a stellar reputation in the greater metropolitan DC area, with a out of stars rating and over reviews on reknown wedding website WeddingWire.com.With every event for which we provide services, I have a standard contract that is presented to every client for approval and signatureIn addition to the agreed upon date, time, and expectations of the event, the contract also includes a cancellation policy and a structured refund/payment due scheduleThe refunded amount decreases as the number of days out from the event decreasesIf an event is canceled for any reason by the clients, or any representative thereof-- whether because of weather, personal decisions, or any other reason -- the client (depending on their original selected payment terms) will either receive a percentage of a refund commensurate with the cancelation date relative to the event date, or will owe that percentageThe nature of weddings in the area is such that vendors are routinely booked 9-months in advance of the eventAs the event draws closer, the likelihood of rebooking a canceled date decreases exponentiallyThus the cancelation schedule to protect my financial interests and ensure the clients' commitment to the event for which my services have been contractedAs the sole proprietor of DJ D-Mac & Associates, Inc(and the father of a young family of four), event bookings are our primary source of income.These are terms clearly outlined in a legally binding document; the contract was signed and dated without question or dispute of these terms on September 19, 2015, and the contracted amount of $was paid-in-full on October 1*, (taking advantage of a payment-in-full discount we offer to all our wedding clients).Approximately a week before the client's January 23" event, there were reports of a winter storm coming to the Washington, DC area with potentially heavy snowfall, DJ D-Mac & Associates had two scheduled events on January 23", both weddings, so | started making inquiries about contingency plans for both events early in the weekOn January 20", I contacted the clients' event venue and was informed by the event manager on staff that they'd made the difficult decision to cancel the eventLater that afternoon I was contacted by the client by phone and we discussed the circumstances in detailThe client inquired about any sort of refund at that time and I reminded him that the contract did include a cancellation clause, which he appeared to take no issue with, as he'd purchased event insurance and would be fully covered for any event-related expenses.The client had admitted to me that he and his fiancé took their chances with a mid-winter wedding, and were prepared for the worstWhile it was unfortunate, he was grateful that their respective families were arriving in town ahead of the storm and that they were still getting married at a small scale celebration with family on Friday night.I'd asked about the possibility of a rescheduled event at the original venue and offered to make every effort to accommodate the rescheduled dateThe client certainly appreciated the offer but said he and his siancé needed some time to focus on the family and not think about any rescheduling just yetI stated that I understood implicitly, wished them both well and asked that they slay in touch,The storm came to pass two days later as predictedWhile the accumulated snowfall overnight Friday (January 22*) and early Saturday (January 23") was heavy (hardly of "epic proportions"), the snow had mostly subsided by the time his event was to occurI live miles from the venue and was fully prepared and able to travel to the venue and provide DJ services for the client's event, had it not been canceled three days priorRegardless of the weather and this subsequent, my company was indeed “open for business." My other event booked for January 23"--with another DJ from my team at another downtown DC venue-carried on and was by all accounts a successI received a very kind and grateful thank you email from the mother of the bride and she also sent a handwritten note for the DJ himself.On February 12", my client e-mailed me to inform me they'd decided to forago a rescheduled event altogether and were now requesting a full refundI responded on February [redacted] via email, reiterating the same sentiments expressed in our January 20° phone call, but reminded him that, in accordance with our original agreement, a cancellation just three days before an event meant that no refund would be givenI also expressed to the client that it was my understanding his event insurance would cover his expensesThe client responded with an angry tone, saying he would submit the insurance claim and that I should consider the possibility his insurance company may "take legal action against [me]." He also indicated he may take similar legal action while simultaneously threatening libel against me.I understand the client's frustration with his current situation but he was well aware of the risks of a mid-winter wedding and took the necessary steps to satisfactorily protect his financial interestsWith my contract, I have done the same.Sincerely,Daryle M [redacted] DJ D-Mac & Associates

With regards to the client's rejection of my response to his complaint filed against my business, the accusations of fraud are baselessAnd the supporting arguments about the weather are inaccurateAllow me to address each of his statements in turn.“DJ D-Mac is indicating that he is entitled to his fee because we cancelled the wedding within a week of the planned weddingThe wedding was cancelled because the 4th largest snowstorm in the history of Washington DC's weather record was projected to occur." The client's January 23rd event was cancelled by *** ***, event manager at *** ***, and not the client himselfOut of concern that her staff would not be able to keep up with the projected snowfall and provide safe entry at the venue's front entrance, *** *** cancelled the eventThat said, *** *** did have her full staff at *** *** that day and was, for all intents and purposes, open for business.Subsequently, *** *** offered several open dates for a rescheduled event later in the calendar year at *** *** which the client declined, opting to cancel his event outright.My contract with the client clearly states that cancellation for any reason will result in a cancellation feeIn this case, cancellation less than a week before the event means that DJ D-Mac & Associates retains 100% of the fee paid for contracted servicesThe client agreed to these terms and signed the contract on September 19th 2015.“It is unrealistic for DJ D-Mac to insist that he possibly could have delivered the services he was contracted to perform." This is purely conjecture and refutable by two factsI live miles away from *** *** (see attached *** map)The route to the venue is directly south on *** ** NW,a major arterial road in the District of Columbia which was plowed and accessible*** *** and her staff were able to travel to *** ***Given my close proximity to the venue, I was certainly able toas Well, Additionally, my business provided contracted services with another DJ at another venue in Washington, DC, The Sulgrave Club, on the same dateThe miles between the DJ's place of origin and the wedding venue (see attached *** map) were accessible and traversible."I didn't make it snow and it is unrealistic for DJ D-Mac to think I was responsible for clearing the snow between his place of origin and the wedding venue." There is nothing in our contract that states the client is responsible for my travel to and from the venueIn fact, my contract states that I would provide my own transportation to and from the venueGiven the evidence I have provided, it was well within my power to do so.“It is deliberately deceptive for DJ D-Mac to suggest that he could still have delivered on his contract even if the event had somehow miraculously occurred in the midst of a federal disaster situation.” There is nothing deceptive in the suggestion whatsoevermost certainly could have delivered services as contracted, as the preceding evidence clearly suggestsThe District of Columbia was not in the midst of a federal disaster situationAccording to the FEMA web site, the last disaster declaration in the District was December 5th, (source: https://www.fema.gov/fr/disasters/grid/state-tribal-government/27)."He has accepted payment for services he had no reallstic possibility of delivering and then refused to return those fees." I accepted payment according to the terms of our contract on October 1st, Said fees were surrendered according to the terms of our contract when the client's event was cancelledThe client is requesting I violate the terms of our contract and return the feesI am declining his request and am well within my rights to do so.“The fact that I insured myself, for protection from predatory businesses like DJ D-Mac, should have no bearing on DJ D-Mac's ethical positions.” In a January 20th telephone conversation the client stated he insured himself against weather events like the one that occurredWhile I am not privy to the terms of the client's coverage, private event insurance generally covers the insured against no-show or bankrupt vendors, not "predatory" businessesThere was no evidence of my operating a predatory business at the time the client contracted my services and there continues to be no evidence of predatory business practicesAs I do with all of my clients, I have maintained open and honest communication throughout the duration of our business dealings, from the client's initial contact, through contract negotiations, in-person consultation, contract signing and final invoicing.The client is conflating the ethics of my business with his stated entitlement to a refund to which he has no contractual right to receiveIt is not an unethical position to require payment for services contracted on a given date and time if those services are voluntarily cancelled by a client.To wit, a "Wedding Tips to Consider When Planning Your Big Day" blog post published July 8th, by the Revdex.com advises “Read the fine printIt is critically Important to understand a business's exchange, refund, and cancellation policies," (source: http://www.Revdex.com.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/news-events/news-releases/201...⇄ D-Mac is a predatory business,” “Daryle M*** [sic] is still operating a fradulent business and the Better-Business-Bureau [sic] should at the very least document and make for public record hls unethical positions." These are defamatory statements that seek to deliberately damage my business(source: http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/what-defamatory-statement) They are utterly baseless and irrelevant to the terms of the contracted agreement into which the client voluntarily entered on September 19th I did not prey upon or deceive the client in any way, shape, or form.Sincerely, Daryle M***DJ D-Mac & Associates

With regards to the complaint filed against my business, I would first like to note that I am truly sympathetic to my client and the unfortunate circumstances he and his fiancé endured last month. However, I feel the client has mischaracterized said circumstances and in service of his complaint...

omitted critical detail which I will describe here to the best of my abilityI am the founder and principal of a DJ services business. We service a variety of events, including private parties, corporate events, fundraisers, weddings, and more. With specific regards to the latter, I help over 150 couples a year have their dream wedding with DJ, audio, and lighting services provided by my team of DJs. We have a stellar reputation in the greater metropolitan DC area, with a 4.9 out of 5 stars rating and over 300 reviews on reknown wedding website WeddingWire.com.With every event for which we provide services, I have a standard contract that is presented to every client for approval and signature. In addition to the agreed upon date, time, and expectations of the event, the contract also includes a cancellation policy and a structured refund/payment due schedule. The refunded amount decreases as the number of days out from the event decreases. If an event is canceled for any reason by the clients, or any representative thereof. -- whether because of weather, personal decisions, or any other reason -- the client (depending on their original selected payment terms) will either receive a percentage of a refund commensurate with the cancelation date relative to the event date, or will owe that percentage. The nature of weddings in the area is such that vendors are routinely booked 9-12 months in advance of the event. As the event draws closer, the likelihood of rebooking a canceled date decreases exponentially. Thus the cancelation schedule to protect my financial interests and ensure the clients' commitment to the event for which my services have been contracted. As the sole proprietor of DJ D-Mac & Associates, Inc. (and the father of a young family of four), event bookings are our primary source of income.These are terms clearly outlined in a legally binding document; the contract was signed and dated without question or dispute of these terms on September 19, 2015, and the contracted amount of $2385.00 was paid-in-full on October 1*, 2015 (taking advantage of a payment-in-full discount we offer to all our wedding clients).Approximately a week before the client's January 23" event, there were reports of a winter storm coming to the Washington, DC area with potentially heavy snowfall, DJ D-Mac & Associates had two scheduled events on January 23", both weddings, so | started making inquiries about contingency plans for both events early in the week. On January 20", I contacted the clients' event venue and was informed by the event manager on staff that they'd made the difficult decision to cancel the event. Later that afternoon I was contacted by the client by phone and we discussed the circumstances in detail. The client inquired about any sort of refund at that time and I reminded him that the contract did include a cancellation clause, which he appeared to take no issue with, as he'd purchased event insurance and would be fully covered for any event-related expenses.The client had admitted to me that he and his fiancé took their chances with a mid-winter wedding, and were prepared for the worst. While it was unfortunate, he was grateful that their respective families were arriving in town ahead of the storm and that they were still getting married at a small scale celebration with family on Friday night.I'd asked about the possibility of a rescheduled event at the original venue and offered to make every effort to accommodate the rescheduled date. The client certainly appreciated the offer but said he and his siancé needed some time to focus on the family and not think about any rescheduling just yet. I stated that I understood implicitly, wished them both well and asked that they slay in touch,The storm came to pass two days later as predicted. While the accumulated snowfall overnight Friday (January 22*) and early Saturday (January 23") was heavy (hardly of "epic proportions"), the snow had mostly subsided by the time his event was to occur. I live 1.6 miles from the venue and was fully prepared and able to travel to the venue and provide DJ services for the client's event, had it not been canceled three days prior. Regardless of the weather and this subsequent, my company was indeed “open for business." My other event booked for January 23"--with another DJ from my team at another downtown DC venue-carried on and was by all accounts a success. I received a very kind and grateful thank you email from the mother of the bride and she also sent a handwritten note for the DJ himself.On February 12", 2016 my client e-mailed me to inform me they'd decided to forago a rescheduled event altogether and were now requesting a full refund. I responded on February 15* via email, reiterating the same sentiments expressed in our January 20° phone call, but reminded him that, in accordance with our original agreement, a cancellation just three days before an event meant that no refund would be given. I also expressed to the client that it was my understanding his event insurance would cover his expenses. The client responded with an angry tone, saying he would submit the insurance claim and that I should consider the possibility his insurance company may "take legal action against [me]." He also indicated he may take similar legal action while simultaneously threatening libel against me.I understand the client's frustration with his current situation but he was well aware of the risks of a mid-winter wedding and took the necessary steps to satisfactorily protect his financial interests. With my contract, I have done the same.Sincerely,Daryle M[redacted] DJ D-Mac & Associates

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:DJ D-Mac has refused to accept the reality of this situation.  Attached is a [redacted] article attesting to the severity of the storm and the accumulated snowfall totals.  Attached is also a letter from the venue indicating they could not safely keep their venue open due to the severity of the storm.  The venue was hardly responsible for cancelling the wedding.  I don't recall the venue having to call all of my guests 3 days prior to the biggest day of my life telling everyone I know that my wedding would never happen.  Daryle has referenced that the venue offered other dates as an alternative to our original date.  This is true.  They also offered a refund, because unlike DJ D-Mac, they accepted that the magnitude of the storm, on 1.23.2016, was too severe for them to deliver the services they were contracted to provide.    Daryle continues to reference his organizations ability to attend another wedding on the same day.  This is unsubstantiated information which has no bearing on his contract with me.  Similarly I can state I received refunds (or was permitted to withdraw from my contract) with the venue, the bus shuttle company, the photographer and the caterer, because all of these other organizations recognized their inability to successfully deliver their services.  However, I would not expect the actions of theses vendors to dictate how DJ D-Mac conducts his business.  DJ D-Mac lives in a world where even when all local airports close, the Washington Metro Transit closes, the city of Washington declares a Public Emergency and the roads are cluttered with several feet of snow, he is still open and available for business.       Daryle has suggested that I am making defamatory statements about his business.  This is not so.  I have provided accurate statements about how he conducts business.  Daryle feels entitled to $2,385 of my money because the event was cancelled and his proposal specifically stated that it was a non-refundable fee.  That's an accurate representation of his conduct.  If the Better-Business-Bureau is an organization geared towards protecting consumers from disreputable companies, then this is the forum to protest his actions.  He accepted money for services he never delivered.  That's not defamatory.  He did that.  He held me financially responsible for conditions beyond my control.  He did that and that is predatory.  I maintain that DJ D-Mac is predatory because Daryle does not recognize his contract is based on delivering specific services.  It may be too late for me, but prospective clients of DJ D-Mac should be aware of this vendor's questionable policies.              Regards,
[redacted]