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A wedding caterer in western Michigan has voluntarily agreed to stop operating in the state for five years and refund customers, the Michigan Attorney General's Office announced this week.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office received more than 40 complaints from customers, some of who who said the caterer canceled at the last minute and failed to give refunds.
She said the caterer, Alicia Thompson, agreed to an "assurance of voluntary compliance." Thompson, operator of Lake to the Lake Catering, lives in Spring Lake in Ottawa County, on the west edge of the state, about 30 minutes west of Grand Rapids.
Under the agreement, Thompson must refund consumers who submit a complaint with the Attorney General by May 1. Refunds must be issued by July 1.
In one instance, the AG's office said a customer reported paying more than $6,000 for wedding catering services that were ultimately canceled without a refund. Another customer alleged being pressured to pay in full under the guise of sale pricing, only to have Late to the Lake cancel on the day of the rehearsal dinner.
Some complaints alleged they were charged more than the agreed-upon amount or discovered new charges on their accounts after services were canceled.
“A wedding is one of the most meaningful days of a person’s life, and couples should be able to trust that their chosen vendor will deliver what they promised or at the very least refund them when something goes wrong,” Nessel said in a statement. “I am proud of my Consumer Protection Team for holding this caterer accountable and encourage those who believe they were impacted by Late to the Lake to file a complaint with my office by May 1 to ensure they receive a refund.”
Those wishing to file a complaint can contact the AG's office:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
