In the News -- Closing of Alexander Mansion and Cappella Court Gardens

What can customers do when a business closes without notice? A lot depends on why the business closed and whether the owners can be contacted.

Two wedding venues, Alexander Mansion and Cappella Court Gardens recently closed unexpectedly, leaving prospective brides and grooms wondering and without refunds of deposits and down payments.

Teresa Woodard of WFAA-TV, Ch. 8, Dallas - Fort Worth, reports that one couple filed a complaint with police. The Texas Attorney General's office said the couples should immediately file complaints with their office, through this website. Teresa Woodard said the Dallas office is "generally aware" of the allegations, according to the AG's press office in Austin.

"You could even file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau," suggested Jeannette Kopko, spokesperson for BBB serving Dallas and Northeast Texas. "We might not be able to help you if they're really gone, but we can hold onto it and maybe there's something we can learn later."

Kopko said couples should continue to try to reach the owner through any means possible. She suggested sending a letter to the venue, because she said it's possible the mail will be forwarded. She also suggested keeping track of filings in bankruptcy courts. She said closing a business does not relieve the owner of his or her obligation to customers.

For future brides, Kopko suggests trying to use a credit card for as many reservations as possible, because those charges can be disputed with a card company if the unthinkable happens.

See the story above, or go to http://www.wfaa.com/news/consumer/Investigation-now-underway-after-wedding-venues-close-with-no-warning-183097831.html

Check out a business or file a customer complaint at www.dallas.bbb.org. Get the free BBB iPhone app at www.bbb.org/iphone. On your mobile device, see http://m.bbb.org.

Follow BBB on

Facebook -- www.facebook.com/dallasbbb
Twitter -- www.twitter.com/dallasbbb
YouTube -- www.youtube.com/thedallasbbb

Related Articles

04/30/2013 Travel Club Schemes Cause Nationwide Promotion Commotion BBB finds award notifications for airline tickets or cruises are promotions for high pressure sales pitches for expensive travel clubs that don't deliver promised savings, with costs for promotions.
02/20/2013 Before You Set Sail: BBB Tips for Planning a Cruise Cruising is big business, and a growing vacation trend. BBB offers tips before you set sail to help plan a cruise with smooth sailing.
01/23/2013 In the News -- You Did Not Get Two Free Airline Tickets You get a voucher in the mail for two airline tickets -- but do you really get those tickets? Only after going through a high-pressure pitch for an expensive travel club, and only with a lot of requirements for the tickets, David Beasley of BBB serving Dallas and Northeast tells Doug Magditch of CW33-TV Dallas - Fort Worth.