Shocking
I engaged A & V Event Hire to supply soft play equipment for an event. During our discussions, we agreed on a barter-style arrangement — I would design a professional “Rules of Play” sign for their business in exchange for hire items. The agreement started with one simple printed A3 sign for the exchange of their large animals worth $250 RRP. Then the request from A & V Event Hire change. I clearly stated that each sign would be $100 and the company further asked for changes. I ended up requesting only $400 off the equipment (still okay to pay delivery fees etc) for 7 signs. The owner said she could get the design elsewhere for $100 and did not want to pay “above market rate.”
I produced watermarked design drafts, incorporated their requested edits, added their logo and branding, and even created a “linktree” QR code linking directly to their business social media. The artwork was delivered watermarked and the business confirmed they had received it. The business also has full access to linktree.
After the work was completed, A & V Event Hire changed the terms of the agreement, disputed the agreed value, and refused to honour the original arrangement. When I requested a refund of my deposit ($150), they refused, claiming it was “non-refundable,” even though the cancellation came from their refusal to complete their end of the agreement. No hire service was ever delivered, and we are still weeks out for my baby’s birthday.
Their conduct felt unprofessional and unethical, disregarding the time and design work that had already been provided in good faith. The experience raised serious concerns about their honesty and integrity in business dealings.
A & V Event Hire may attempt to claim that the deposit was for “holding a booking” or that “no written barter agreement” existed. However, the agreement was clearly discussed, evidenced through written correspondence, and followed by delivery of the completed design — showing that a genuine business arrangement existed. Under Australian Consumer Law, terms must be fair, transparent, and applied in good faith. Retaining a “non-refundable” deposit in these circumstances does not meet that standard.
It’s also important to note that A & V Event Hire only accepts bond payments via bank transfer, which provides no consumer protection if issues arise. This, combined with their “non-refundable” policy, leaves customers with little recourse should disputes occur.
In my experience, their actions were inconsistent with fair dealing and respect for clients’ time and professional work. I strongly advise anyone considering A & V Event Hire to obtain written agreements outlining refund terms before making any payment and to proceed with extreme caution.
I uploaded our full conversation into ChatGPT and ask it to write a factual review on the business interaction. This is it, with some finer added details to make more sense. I, myself have experience such emotional distress from having hours of work wasted as well as money on top. It’s not how I would have dealt with it. The deposit should have been refunded.