MY TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH THE CORRI DESIGN GROUP

*Note: The following article will be written as a rant. it is not meant to be malicious nor can it be considered libel or slander as these are true events that happened with evidence of emails and business transactions taking place.

It started in Sept 2007. I was looking for silk floral arrangements as I have 2 wedding receptions/ceremonies that are 4 months apart and in different continents (not because I can't afford real flowers as I have been accused of) and found this vendor with an ebay store. She had a beautiful package and I placed an order.

"Someone" from the company contacted me and was ever so sweet and explained that as these are custom orders, it would take 2 weeks to create and a week to get to me. Wonderful. 2 more weeks pass and I get another email claiming it will take another 2 weeks before shipping and if I wanted, she would willingly refund me.

Eventually 35 days from the date I paid, I notified the company that Paypal protects my order up to 45 days after purchase. I asked if the arrangements would be at my hands within a week. All communication stopped. Paypal then advised me to make a claim, as I would then have an additional 25 days of protection to get the product to me. I filed a claim on the 42nd day. I sent the corri design group an email stating that indeed I filed a claim, but if they sent the items to me, the claim would be dropped and it was only as a measure of extended protection.

I received an angry email that stated (and I quote) "You have already made up your mind. You are no longer worth our time. I feel that to be professional. Professionally budgeting our time for paying clients. You are not a paid client. You have requested a refund and initiated a claim so now you are at the mercy of how long Pay Pal will take to refund your money. It was already taken from our account. It is none of your business nor do I owe you an explanation as to why it took me a few days to respond." FANTASTIC CUSTOMER SERVICE and way to go with the willingness to provide a refund!

So the claim sat in Paypal's resolution centre for the full 25 days and not a peep from The Corri Design Group. I was awarded a refund, but holy crap it wasted 3 months of my wedding planning time.

I would also like to note that I was not the only unhappy customer. The account on ebay received MANY negative feedbacks and subsequently shut down. You can read it here and make your own judgment.

Of course when you google the company there will always be positive and negative reviews. I am personally glad that there are some happy brides out there that loved her service, but I did not have a good experience. This post is definitely not in favor for The Corri Design Group's services or professional opinion.

Groomsmen Gifts

What do you get the men of your party besides the usual personalized flask or glass beer jug? So I found two different styles of grooming sets. The white one is my personal favourite, but the black one is nice too. Ultimately it is up to H to decide what he wants to get his boys, but I can always give my two cents too right?

And lastly, an engraves card case is nothing special nor practical, but everyone needs plan B right?

DIY Boarding Pass Invitations

As one graphic designer to another, I can really appreciate the time and effort that was put into something this beautifully creative. It makes me wish i had a destination wedding. The fonts, the colors and the simplicity just puts a smile on my face.

Cups and Sticks

Oh I think I like these toasting glasses more. They take up less room. More or less the same price. Hmmmm the endless possibilities.

However, since H and I dont drink alcohol, we may not even buy toasting glasses and just use the ones they provide us. Or maybe we'll keep it real and drink out of juice boxes. Classy.

Tea-rrific!

These Heart Shaped Drop Tea Leaves from Favor Studio are awesome. I would use this in my wedding but H made me promise that when it came to favors, they would have to be practical (who needs a placecard holder?) AND man-friendly. I dont suppose tea fits into the man friendly category. But they come in nice tins that I'm sure could double as holders for loose screws and nails. And of course, you cant enjoy the tea without having the Heart Shaped Sugars *le sigh*

The new magic 8 ball

These Love Fortune Shakers are so cool. Of course its the packaging that sold me. A bridesmaid's attendent gift perhaps?

A toast to the bride and groom

I dont know what it is about these glasses that makes my heart skip a beat, but if its in the budget, i'll probably get them! They are so darling.... that i even use the word darling to describe them.

Guestbook

The book that started it all.... spent 5 months of being engaged and doing absolutely nothing. Then I found it, and instantly I knew how the wedding would end. The colors are chosen. The style, design... everything! But I still need that something oh so special. Which is where the bottom picture comes into play. This guestbook had an interesting twist to it. So I'll be adding those mini polaroid sticky cameras to my list.

ok one thing done. one million more to go.