Hello everyone!
I am an event planner and the owner of a traveling music and arts festival, The Art Trap House. I have hosted at Open Space before in 2017 with the old owners and we had an amazing time and the process was stress free. I felt as though myself, my company and my event was valued.
In 2020 I decided to come back to the venue to host an event because my first experience was amazing. At this time they had new ownership. I agreed to move forward with the venue. I paid the venue around $700.00+ Out of $1,300.00 or so, for the venue space but Covid-19 shut down America. I tried to host my event again in 2021 but we had another Covid-19 shutdown and the world simply was not ready to event at large like my company does.
2022 I come back to use my already paid credit and wanted to finish paying off my remaining balance to then use the venue again. This time I spoke with someone who was not the owner who was a little unaware of my dealing with the venue in 2020. She told me that my full amount would not be applied, but only half of my balance would be applied to for the use of the venue. Which means I would have to pay them all over again for a venue that I never got to use, not because I didn't want to but because of Covid. After a little back and forth, I told her I would pay again. *In 2020 and 2021 an email should have been sent to me to stating their terms and conditions after Covid, knowing they had people who were trying to host their events. They only thing that I was notified about is that my money would not be refunded and this was from our first initial convo in 2020. (This was said by phone before the shutdown.)
When it came time for me to pay, I requested a contract agreement from them because I felt like they took advantage of me and I wanted my money to be safe. I wanted to know what they would offer me, what their company polices were, and their terms and conditions for this event, if Covid were to strike again, would they take my money without notice again? My events are not like baby showers or small gatherings, these are full on art events, intimate, but very well done, with many guests. There is a lot that needs to be protected. If I send them money, again, without an agreement....... They could make up anything about their company polices that I would NEVER be aware of and continue to take from hard working people. I am letting you know this has happened to me. -If they find it in their hearts to block me via email, ignore me and straight up take my money, I will be sure to post all the emails for you all to see here. I promise.
For my 2022 event, they did not write me back for 11 days because they were waiting for a payment. But I was waiting for them to send an agreement!!!! Business is business. The new owner does not pick up his phone. I literally had to get a new venue without even letting them know first. I know that this venue did not do everything in their power to help me.
Open Space is not willing to refund my money, provide me with a contract agreement, of course they will not acknowledge the fact that I asked for an agreement either, instead trying to make it seem like I'm the complicated one and that they did all they could to work with me or even email me back in a timely fashion, knowing that time is limited for even planners. (My event is august 2022). The reason being is I'm not one to be fooled and people don't want to have to deal with people that they can't get over on. I'm letting you know to NEVER do business with a venue who does not provide you sign an agreement for both parties to sign. Protect your money.
I rate them a one. I suggest taking your money to NEV Creative Studio in Landsdowne, PA. Better service, quick response, honest people who care about the expansion of the community for all people but especially POC and honest people who care about your business.
*by the way the deleted my review. I may have to post it again on Google review. read more