I recently sent an email to WeddingWire regarding my account with them.  I had what they now call a “professional” account.  Aren’t we all professionals if we’re listed vendors?  That’s another story.  I asked them to please remove my listing since my business had officially closed.  It took them a week to get back to me and only after I emailed them again.  The response I received from my account manager, who, by the way, told me that the person I had sent the original email to, did in fact forward it to her, follows below, yet, I got no response until I had to follow up.  Great customer service.

This isn’t the first time WeddingWire has come under fire and I’m sure it won’t be the last.  Last year Ewednewz.com and event planner Samantha Goldberg, went after WeddingWire for their ratings system. (See related links at the end of this story).  It is my understanding that this system is still causing major concerns for vendors who are wrongfully accused by brides who haven’t even used the vendors services.

Getting back to my closing my business, this is what they require in order to, not remove my business but to, add a notice that I am no longer in business, stating reviews, etc will remain.  WHY?  If I am no longer in business what possible reason could they have for keeping my information on their site.  Of course they had no problem taking money from me each month.  It’s like they keep you held hostage.  I should note that the several other sites I did business with had no problem taking my page down and wished me well on my journey.  So what makes WeddingWire so special?   Oh, right, numbers.  They can’t have businesses who have closed removing themselves.  What would the stock holders think if the numbers dropped?  Give me a break.  Talk about fraud.

Anyway, here’s what they want from me;

1.       Scan/mail me documentation.  We accept either:

a.       a signed letter on company letterhead stating that your business will be ceasing all business operations on ____ date; or

b.      a signed and notarized letter stating that your business will be ceasing all business operations on ____ date.

2.       Once we receive this paperwork, we will then consider your request.

3.       If the request is approved, your listing will:

a.       no longer be upgraded

b.      show that “The owner has indicated they are no longer in business” (see here for an example)

c.       retain any reviews associated with the account

4.       Should you choose to reopen your business at a later date and would like to advertise on WeddingWire, we will not upgrade your account unless a new, 12-month contract is signed.

Consider????  Consider my request?  IF it’s approved???  Nowhere is this stated in their Terms Of Use.  I am the business owner.  They have no right to maintain my business information without my consent.   I will comply and send them the letter stating my business is closed and will follow up on this story because there is no way in hell I am going to let them get away with this.

AMENDMENT:  Thanking Lauren Schwarcz | Customer Satisfaction Representative – Social Media | #WeddingWire for responding to my story. Nice to see they are monitoring their image. In fairness to them, I erred in my post about their Terms of Use. Apparently they have the right to retain reviews and my business info such as business name, address & phone #. Still does not, by any means, make this right. Once a business is closed, it’s closed. Period. I’m not done with this.

Related Stories:

WeddingWire Caves In To Mounting Pressure From Outspoken Planner and Critics
Celebrity Planner Not The Only Critic of WeddingWire

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