Charissa Lundy has a binder filled with wedding ideas. She collected them over the last two years and is using them to plan the celebration she could not afford when she first got married.
Lundy and her husband are set to renew their vows next August. Like most couples, they want everything to be perfect.
"It's a really formal reception, really formal. Everything is linen -- chair covers, bows, napkins," she said.
Last February, Lundy paid Hotel Europa in Raleigh more than $1,100 to rent a banquet room and bartender.
She was glad she got that part of her wedding completed up until three months ago when the hotel closed.
"I almost fell out of my chair because there I was -- one thing completely paid for to not being there at all," Lundy said.
Lundy called the number left on the door. It went to Northeast Investments. She said Dwight Elam told her the hotel was bought out and could not handle her reception. Lundy wanted a refund.
"He said, 'OK, that's fine. That shouldn't be a problem. Do you have your receipts and so forth?' I said, 'Of course, I will fax them to you right now,'" Lundy said.
However, Lundy said ever since then, it has been nothing but a runaround. Five On Your Side called Northeast Investments and talked with Elam, who said he is the president.
He told Five On Your Side he planned to take out a "personal loan" to pay customers back. Once he does that, he said Lundy should have her refund within a week.
"I can pay for something else, so I will really, really be happy," Lundy said.
Elam said the loan was finalized Monday and he will write checks to Lundy and the other customers on Friday. Five On Your Side will be sure to keep you posted.
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