Wedding dress deposit

Q: Last year I paid a deposit on a wedding dress. The written agreement stated that the price quoted included the dress, veil, crown, gloves, two underskirts and a bolero. In the agreement it was also also written that in case of new stock I would be given the opportunity to choose another dress. Unfortunately, the wedding was called off. The shop owner is refusing to give me my deposit back. Can I at least ask for a credit note or the possibility to take something else with the amount deposited?

A: Whether you are entitled to a credit note or not depends on what is written in the agreement that you signed. If in the contract there is nothing that entitles you to a credit note or the possibility to replace the wedding dress ordered with another item, then I'm afraid there isn't much that you can legally do.

Since the agreement specifically covers the purchase of a wedding dress, the shop owner can insist on you either using the deposit to purchase a wedding dress or lose the deposit.

Having said that, I would still try and convince the shop owner to give you the possibility to use the money deposited to buy another item. But this is not a legal right. It is something you and the trader need to agree on.