In February I hired Mr. Mannix to serve as the videographer for my wedding to be held on May 31. Prior to signing the contract Mr. Mannix, who we met at a wedding show at The Albany Marriott in Albany, NY, showed us Hollywood-quality examples of his video work, as well as positive client testimonials from his partner's website (storyboardweddings.com). Mr. Mannix made it clear that he was a qualified and friendly professional who would work with me and my fianc leading up to, during, and after our wedding to produce a top quality wedding video in a timely fashion.in the time leading up to and during our wedding Mr. Mannix was easily accessible, friendly, and returned all phone calls and e-mails promptly. He also verbally assured me that his company had very few other projects surrounding my wedding, and told me our video would be completed very shortly after our wedding day.
On August 11, 72 days after our wedding, I contacted Mr. Mannix via e-mail because he had not returned my phone calls asking for the status of our video. That day Mr. Mannix responded to me, informing me that our video was in its final stages, and that I should have my final product in another couple weeks. This would be the last time that Mr. Mannix would respond to any of my e-mails or phone calls until December 17. On September 17 I contacted Mr. Mannix via e-mail, after he failed to respond to more phone calls and another e-mail inquiry. I expressed my concern for his lack of communication, and still he did not respond.
Later that day I turned things over to my father and attorney (same person), who contacted Mr. Mannix via e-mail as well. From that day on Mr. Mannix would sparsely communicate with my father, giving only vague updates on the status of my wedding video such as it wont be much longer on 9/17/08 and it will be with you soon on 10/1/08. On October 20 Mr. Mannix responded to a concerned e-mail from my father promising that the video will be completed at the latest by October 27. However Mr. Mannix failed to deliver the video on that date, or even bother to contact my father or myself. On November 4 my father informed Mr. Mannix that we would be forced to file a law suit for breach of contract, fraud, and conversion (please note that no suit has been filed at this time).
On November 11 Mr. Mannix informed my father that he will be sending the wedding video to his office, inviting him to look it over. The video was received on November 14 (167 days after the wedding, 95 days after Mr. Mannix told me the video would be completed in a couple weeks, 58 days after Mr. Mannix told my father it won't be much longer, 44 days after Mr. Mannix told him it will be you soon, and 18 days after October 27, the date by which Mr. Mannix told my father the video would arrive).
Upon examination of the video we found the product to be far inferior to the Hollywood-quality examples we were shown prior to hiring Mr. Mannix.in the video my wife's name of Jamie was incorrectly spelled Jammie, the audio from the entire wedding ceremony was distorted and inaudible, and significant portions of the reception were omitted and replaced with the text To Be Continued. It was very clear to me as a former television production professional that Mr. Mannix had rushed to finish my video, even though it had taken him over five months to complete it.
On December 4 I e-mailed Mr. Mannix to politely request these changes, as well as others I felt necessary to improve the quality of the video.in order to trick him into taking my call I called Mr. Mannix from a different phone and was finally able to reach him on that same date. During our conversation, which was polite and professional on both ends, I let him know that I sent him an e-mail with the requested changes, and asked him to call me to discuss them once he looked at it. Mr. Mannix agreed, but once again failed to contact me.
On December 17 I called Mr. Mannix again, leaving him voicemails at both of his known phone numbers. I then e-mailed him asking him to call or reply before 5 PM that day or else I would be forced to hand the case back over to my father and attorney. Later that day Mr. Mannix replied, telling me Please stop with the threats. Your project is not the only one being worked on. I will fill you in when the changes are made. I replied to him that night out of frustration, citing that he only responds to threats of legal action, and noting that his lack of communication and professionalism are unacceptable. I informed him that I expected either a full refund or the changes to be made to my satisfaction by December 29 or else I would file complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the New York State Consumer Protection Board, as well as pursue further legal action against him through an attorney. As promised to Mr. Mannix I will be filing claims on that date because he has failed to refund the purchase price and taxes paid, nor has he produced our finished video, nor has he even bothered to contact me or my father.
If anyon is interested in joining me in a class action suit let me know. He's not going to get away with this anymore.
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