Test Ride Disaster

0:01 These are the plaintiffs, Adrian and Summer.

0:04 They say they hired the defendant to do their wedding.

0:06 Stuff like [music] DJ, MC, video, and photography.

0:10 The day of their wedding, however, only the DJ showed up.

0:13 In fact, the only pictures they have of their big

0:15 day are photos the relatives took with their little cameras.

0:19 Basically, they got nothing from the defendant and paid a bunch of money for it.

0:23 They're suing for $4,400, the amount they are owed.

0:34 This is the defendant, Sandra.

0:36 She says she's very confused because the day of the wedding

0:40 the plaintiffs told her staff how delighted they were with everything.

0:43 As far as the photographer goes, he was there with bells on and they have

0:47 over 600 photos of the plaintiffs' wedding to prove it.

0:51 This lawsuit makes no sense and she hopes

0:53 the judge will be able to sort things out.

0:56 She's accused of not getting the shots.

1:03 ALL PARTIES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HANDS.

1:04 AND welcome back to The People's Court.

1:05 Next case on the docket, the plaintiffs got married and got no photos

1:09 from the defendant wedding planner among other things.

1:12 The defendant says these newlyweds are delusional.

1:15 It's the case of here comes the lawsuit.

1:17 Your Honor.

1:17 Thank you, Douglas.

1:18 Okay.

1:20 This just in, nobody wants their last names used

1:23 and you don't want the company name name used.

1:25 So, Adrian and Summer, you are suing Jonathan Who's Jonathan?

1:30 That's my fiance.

1:32 Okay.

1:32 Jonathan and Sandra and their company.

1:38 [laughter] All right.

1:38 For $4,400 You want paper bags for your heads, too?

1:41 For $4,400 that you paid them for wedding

1:44 services that according to you were not delivered.

1:47 Talk to me.

1:48 Congratulations, by the way.

1:49 Thank you.

1:49 Okay.

1:50 First of all, I'm a big fan, so Oh, you're a big fan, too, though, right?

1:53 Okay, everybody's even.

1:56 [laughter] All right, go ahead.

1:57 We contracted with them for a basic DJ package,

2:01 basic lights, 4 hours of continuous music,

2:04 and then we added on additional 30 minutes of music for our cocktail hour.

2:08 Okay.

2:09 Um pictures of professional photography of the ceremony,

2:13 and a LED lighting for the the um the reception additionally onto what is

2:18 What's LED lighting for the reception mean?

2:20 It's like an additional lighting instead of just having one strobe,

2:23 you'd have like this um yeah, yeah, like they call it lights.

2:27 They You mean for the dance floor?

2:29 By the DJ for the dance floor.

2:31 And zap shots, which is the idea that they were going to go

2:34 around and take pictures of the of the party guests as a party favor.

2:37 Okay.

2:38 And well, that's the same thing.

2:39 Wait, wait, what?

2:40 What she say?

2:41 And there's a photo booth that we paid

2:42 an extra $500 for that's documented in the contract.

2:46 We were supposed to get photos.

2:47 The guy was supposed to go around and they John told me hand out a slip

2:51 so that during our wedding through 8:00

2:53 or 9:00 everyone [clears throat] could get a portrait

2:55 Stop dismissing her.

2:56 I want to hear what she's saying.

2:57 He's going LIKE THIS.

2:58 OKAY.

2:59 EVERYONE could get a portrait of themselves

3:01 throughout the our wedding hall that they

3:02 would come home and they were going to offer like a you know,

3:05 a paper photo frame and they would have those photos at the end

3:08 of the evening for all of our guests who attended our wedding.

3:10 Okay.

3:11 All right, can I see your contract that you're reading from?

3:13 I'd like to see it.

3:13 Do you have another copy for [clears throat] yourself or not?

3:15 Well, this is no, this is my only copy.

3:18 Okay.

3:19 The only place the word photographer used is pictures, photography, zap shots.

3:23 The pictures, photography, zap shots.

3:24 How are those three things different?

3:26 What do those mean?

3:27 What are zap shots?

3:28 Is it a photo booth?

3:29 are it's really all the same thing.

3:31 The zap shots are just extra pictures

3:34 taken throughout like with a regular digital

3:37 camera and they can print out the pictures if they want the zap shots,

3:40 but usually the zap shots are put up

3:42 on a screen like a plasma or a projector screen.

3:45 Usually when I have a party.

3:46 Yes.

3:46 Okay, but but is it a photo booth like she was

3:48 describing that that There's this a photo booth that's completely separate.

3:51 That is when also the zap shots are involved.

3:55 They're not They're just regular pictures.

3:56 We don't consider she was Where's Jonathan?

3:57 If she had Did Were you there during the discussion?

4:00 No, I wasn't there to see be bad for you.

4:02 I'm going to tell you that right now.

4:03 She says that her discussion with Jonathan was a photo booth.

4:06 Mhm.

4:06 Did that happen or didn't it?

4:08 I don't know if she had the discussion with him.

4:09 you can't talk to me about what happened with Jonathan.

4:11 Why isn't Jonathan here?

4:13 He's in the hospital currently.

4:14 I'm very sorry to hear that.

4:15 That's okay.

4:16 Was it emergency or like I'm very sorry to hear that.

4:19 That's an answer to my question.

4:20 Okay.

4:22 Okay.

4:22 So, according to you there's supposed to be a photo booth and there's not.

4:25 According to you Well, actually according to you, you go much further than that.

4:28 In your complaint you say there was no photographer.

4:30 There wasn't.

4:31 There was supposed to be

4:31 a photographer professional photographer at the reception.

4:34 There wasn't.

4:35 And the ceremony.

4:36 And the cere well, the ceremony and there wasn't a And then

4:40 when I asked um the DJ that did show up,

4:44 uh he said that the lady was stuck in traffic

4:47 or whatnot or I don't know, just wasn't there.

4:50 And the DJ took uh a digital camera and was taking pictures, but

4:54 The DJ took pictures?

4:55 Yes, that is true.

4:57 What's the deal here with the photographer?

4:58 What's going on?

4:59 Well, the photographer was stuck in traffic, um but Matthew,

5:03 who was there that their DJ who is my business partner, he was their DJ and MC

5:08 Are you Matthew?

5:09 No, no, no.

5:09 That's Who are you?

5:11 I'm Matthew Ray.

5:11 I'm the uh manager for the company.

5:14 Were you at this wedding?

5:15 No, I was not.

5:16 from your side here who was at the wedding?

5:18 No.

5:18 Why didn't you bring any of them as wit

5:20 He He was supposed to come, but he flaked out.

5:23 Oh, well, maybe that's exactly what they're accusing him of there, too.

5:26 [laughter] No, he was there.

5:27 The photographer was late, but came.

5:29 What is your What is your story?

5:31 No, what happened was the photographer was late in traffic

5:33 and was so late they were completely out in the city.

5:37 So, they weren't even going to be able to make it there in time.

5:40 So, did the photographer make it?

5:41 Yes or no?

5:41 have No.

5:42 So, the DJ was taking pictures?

5:44 He was doing the photography, but he also had the MC who is an MC and DJ.

5:47 All of our DJs do both and he is from our company.

5:50 Yeah, but who's this guy?

5:51 He's not a professional Are you charging professional prices here?

5:53 You charged $4,400.

5:55 He does our videography and photography and he's

5:57 going to school right now for doing photography.

6:00 They didn't hire a student.

6:01 They hired a photographer and your photographer didn't make it,

6:03 so somebody else pinch hit.

6:05 So, when they complain about it,

6:06 aren't they right to complain about [clears throat] it?

6:08 That maybe it's not worth what they paid.

6:10 Did they ever contact you and talk to you and tell you,

6:12 "Listen, we want some of this money back?" No.

6:14 Okay.

6:14 We got We got sent We got sent a summons to court 2 days after the wedding.

6:20 Now, in your answer to the complaint,

6:22 you say that you folks do 5,000 parties a year.

6:26 Mhm.

6:26 Yes, ma'am.

6:27 That's a lot of parties.

6:28 How do you possibly have quality control if you do 5,000 parties a year?

6:31 We have a huge staff, huge.

6:34 How big is your company?

6:35 Um we've been around for about 10 years.

6:38 How old are you?

6:38 I'm 21.

6:39 How can you be around for 10 years?

6:40 Wait, Jonathan's had the business.

6:42 I just came into the business How can you be around for 10 years?

6:44 His dad First, his dad owned the business, but he's been DJing since he was 14.

6:48 Okay.

6:48 So, about roughly 9 years.

6:50 Okay.

6:50 So, can you testify since neither one of you were at this party?

6:53 Can either of you cuz the DJ is still under your employ, right?

6:57 Still somebody you give business to.

6:58 And is that somebody who's actually on your payroll?

7:00 Yes, you are.

7:01 Why isn't he here?

7:02 He was at the wedding.

7:02 Why isn't he here?

7:03 He's my business partner.

7:04 He was the DJ.

7:05 Cuz he flaked out.

7:06 Oh, that's the flake out?

7:07 Your business partner?

7:08 I fired him.

7:09 You fired your business partner?

7:10 How do you fire a partner?

7:11 He just stopped showing up to the office, so I had to fire him.

7:14 How do you fire a business partner?

7:15 Then he's not a business partner anymore.

7:17 We're filing in in the courts in the circuit courts, Your Honor, excuse me.

7:20 To sever the partnership?

7:21 Yes, yes, ma'am.

7:23 Wow.

7:23 So, should the fact that the defendant [music] hired flaky

7:26 employees in the past be used against her this time?

7:29 Uh I would say so because if she's hiring people

7:32 and every time she's pulling this off and something always goes wrong,

7:34 you know, it could be a scam or you never know what she's doing.

7:37 So,

7:37 But you're kind of using the past to nail her in the future.

7:40 Well, not yet, but but uh as far as that's concerned,

7:43 she just needs to own up to it.

7:45 She's hiring these people.

7:46 She's taking You would allow You would You

7:48 would use the past problem she had in court.

7:50 Definitely, definitely cuz she's taking these people's money, you know.

7:53 She has to provide a service.

7:55 Got your point.

7:55 Going inside the courtroom.

7:56 Well, what did two guys do there?

7:58 There was an MC and there was Yes.

8:00 Pat and Matt.

8:00 All right.

8:01 So, how about the other guy, Pat?

8:02 Why isn't he here?

8:04 Pat's been terminated as well.

8:06 OKAY.

8:07 YOU GUYS GOT TO KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM

8:08 WITH YOUR facility if you're terminating person after person after person.

8:11 for his he we had to terminate him

8:13 for drug reasons and I don't tolerate that whatsoever.

8:16 And I never I never tolerate anything like that or lateness

8:19 or Did you ever How did you learn your photographer didn't make it?

8:22 Did you get a call from the photographer?

8:24 He Matt called me and he said that Matt is the DJ.

8:27 He's your former business your partner who you're trying to sever from.

8:29 Yes.

8:30 And he said that the photographer's not showing up,

8:32 you need to come and I was nowhere near the event or I would have been there.

8:37 And that's what I do.

8:38 I if there's any problems, I go there,

8:39 but usually what happens is all of our equipment

8:42 goes in our trucks and goes out to the events.

8:44 So, if they did order a photo booth, it would have been in there in the truck.

8:48 make it.

8:48 Your Honor, if I may.

8:49 Yeah, you may do this.

8:50 You may tell me, did the lights make it to that place?

8:52 We had the lights there.

8:53 Yes, they ordered basic lights.

8:54 guys weren't there.

8:55 I have pictures.

8:56 Okay.

8:57 Show me the pictures.

8:58 By the way, guys, they How many pictures do you have?

9:01 625.

9:01 You have 625 pictures?

9:03 Yes.

9:03 I like them.

9:04 I know you'd like them.

9:06 I know you want them.

9:07 What was the deal with the pictures?

9:08 Stop.

9:09 Listen.

9:09 What was the deal with the pictures?

9:11 That they would get the unedited CD?

9:13 Yes, they get a photo CD.

9:15 Yes, that's right.

9:16 All right.

9:16 Let's I'm not going to look at 600 pictures.

9:19 Has somebody queued up for something that somebody wanted me to see?

9:22 Okay.

9:24 They're all Matt's pictures.

9:29 What do you mean Matt's pictures?

9:31 The DJ took the pictures.

9:31 Yes, we know.

9:32 She didn't say that anybody else made it.

9:33 She said the It's not the photographer.

9:35 I understand that.

9:36 I'm just saying you want So, these are these are worthless.

9:38 Go ahead, take them back.

9:41 Well, no, no.

9:41 I mean, we paid for them.

9:43 They're really good pictures.

9:45 I understand that's what you paid for.

9:46 I'm looking at them.

9:47 They're good.

9:47 They're really good.

9:48 And we do all the editing.

9:49 really good because you're both beautiful

9:51 and you're happy and the background is spectacular.

9:54 That one's not so good.

9:56 And the venue is gorgeous.

9:58 And you look stunning.

10:00 All right.

10:01 You guys want this, right?

10:02 Yes.

10:03 That's 600, there's going to be some good ones.

10:04 Okay.

10:06 Now, show me the picture of LED lights

10:08 and show me the picture of computerized intelligent lighting.

10:12 You charge them The The package includes basic lights,

10:16 then you charge them an extra 400 for computerized

10:18 intelligent lighting and an extra 400 for LED light.

10:21 Okay, which of these is the intelligent lighting?

10:23 The intel and do you see the green light in the corner?

10:25 And then also You just had your penalty.

10:28 just that that one picture has it in it.

10:30 That's the the intelligent lighting.

10:31 Okay.

10:32 And uh how about the other lighting that she

10:34 That's also the intelligent lighting.

10:35 In the pictures they it's not in there.

10:38 In the pictures a picture that proves that the lighting that she had asked

10:40 for that's on a the LED lights that she paid for?

10:43 Okay.

10:43 That's what I'm asking.

10:45 All right.

10:45 Now, is there besides the LED lights,

10:49 the fact that a DJ was taking your photographs,

10:52 and the photo booth, is there anything else that was missing?

10:56 Music at the cocktail hour.

10:57 Music at the cocktail There was no music at the cocktail hour.

11:00 Okay.

11:01 And you got charged what, 150 for that?

11:03 I believe so, yeah.

11:04 so.

11:04 Yes.

11:04 And can you testify that there was music at the cocktail hour?

11:07 You don't know.

11:07 There was music at the cocktail hour.

11:08 I packed that van.

11:10 So, you may pack that van, but you don't know what time that van gets

11:12 there cuz you weren't at the party and you

11:13 weren't at the party and you don't give me

11:14 an affidavit from the guy that you because everybody's fired.

11:18 Yes, they have to call me when they arrive at the party.

11:21 Look at me you're under oath.

11:23 Was there music at the cocktail HOUR?

11:24 YES.

11:24 HOW CAN YOU ANSWER THAT?

11:26 I I WAS A TEST.

11:27 [screaming] I EXPECTED YOU TO SAY, "WELL, WELL, JUDGE, I WASN'T THERE.

11:30 I I I I DIDN'T WELL, I mean I No, you're right.

11:32 You're right.

11:32 I was not there.

11:34 Exactly.

11:34 Was there music at the cocktail hour?

11:36 I cannot say that I saw THE MUSIC.

11:38 RIGHT THERE, PAL.

11:39 STOP RIGHT THERE.

11:42 You're overzealous.

11:44 Which is good for you, but not good when you're in court.

11:48 [snorts]

11:48 The total amount for photography, pictures, and a photo booth was 700, correct?

11:54 That looks about right, yes.

11:55 Okay.

11:55 I'm going to order them to repay 500 of the 700.

11:59 The 400 for the problems with the photography,

12:01 that being no photo booth and having a DJ take your pictures.

12:04 I think that's pretty generous of of the court to find to that extent,

12:08 but I just I'm I'm very I'm appalled at the professional prices

12:11 you paid and the unprofessional results that there was in your wedding.

12:14 I'm going to order them to pay back the $400 in LED lights cuz there's

12:16 no evidence that LED lights were there

12:18 and there's nobody here to testify that they were.

12:19 I'm going to order them to pay back $150 for the music at the cocktail

12:23 hour because you guys are the only ones in the room who were at that wedding.

12:26 You say it wasn't there and there's no one on that side

12:28 who can testify that there was music at the cocktail hour.

12:30 That should do it then, right?

12:32 That is a total of $1,050 that I'm

12:34 going to order the defendant to repay the plaintiffs.

12:36 Good luck, everybody.

12:42 Well, the defendants will be repaying some

12:44 of that money that the plaintiffs paid to them.

12:46 Step right up here, don't be afraid,

12:47 and tell me what's what you're feeling about that ruling.

12:50 Well, if they didn't get the services that they paid for, then they deserve

12:54 their money Company uh trying to do a little too 5,000 parties a year?

12:58 Yeah.

12:58 That's 14 parties a day every day of the year, 52 weeks a year.

13:02 How did the other 13 parties go that day?

13:04 They went very good.

13:04 How are the 14 that you're doing today going?

13:07 Very well.

13:07 Mhm.

13:08 And um are you still employed by the company

13:10 or did she fire you during the case?

13:12 Or are you still [laughter] Are you fired yet?

13:13 I don't know.

13:13 Did she Did you fire me?

13:14 You're not fired.

13:15 No, fired.

13:16 I mean you're firing and hiring of you Is this company

13:18 biting off more than it can trying to do too much?

13:20 No, not really.

13:21 It's When we have a problem, we have to eliminate it.

13:24 problems happen and unfortunately we can't Head right down there.

13:27 You have no time.

13:28 You have to go to a party.

13:29 Get Hurry up.

13:30 Hurry up.

13:31 Get going.

13:33 All right, so step on in here uh Well,

13:35 you can say he he won't shut you up out in the hallway.

13:37 I'm in charge now.

13:38 What do What do you think of the outcome?

13:39 want to say outcome was fine.

13:41 It was a mistake using this company from day one.

13:43 All right, so it's over now.

13:45 How How did you enjoy your big day, your wedding day?

13:47 Good.

13:47 I got justice.

13:47 That's all that matters.

13:48 I think I got my money Your wedding day, you got justice?

13:50 Well, not today.

13:50 I got justice.

13:51 Harvey.

13:51 [clears throat] Okay, when you have a wedding contract, especially,

13:54 you should be as specific as you possibly can be.

13:57 You should put call times in every

13:58 single contract and you should get phone numbers

14:01 and contact numbers in the contract to say who you call if something goes wrong.

14:05 And that will do it for this case.

14:06 Litigants for the next case on the way into the courtroom right now.