Business letter help

[slicksilver]

What is the nicest way of putting the following across?

We thank you for the efforts you have put in making the designs mockups for us but unfortunately for one reason or another did not materialize. We no longer wish to avail your services. If you feel we are eligible for some sort of partial refund for the advance we have paid, please arrange to have the money refunded the money back to our office.

Thank you.

I feel the above text is too straight and in your face. Can anybody suggest how to tone it down?

 

[Schfifty Five]

What is the nicest way of putting the following across?

We thank you for the efforts you have put in making the designs mockups for us but unfortunately for one reason or another did not materialize. We no longer wish to avail your services. If you feel we are eligible for some sort of partial refund for the advance we have paid, please arrange to have the money refunded the money back to our office.

Thank you.

I feel the above text is too straight and in your face. Can anybody suggest how to tone it down?

"one reason or another" sounds unprofessional.

"did not materialize" -- um, what?

Also, your sentence has some grammatical errors.

 

[Gibson486]

Thank You for your design mockups. However, we have decided to no longer pursue your services at this time.

As for the partial refund thing, read you contract. if you simply leave it up to them, they will say no.

 

[slicksilver]

"one reason or another" sounds unprofessional.

Could you suggest a replacement? Thanks

"did not materialize" -- um, what?

"Did not happen/workout"

Also, your sentence has some grammatical errors.

Could you be more specific

 

[slicksilver]

Thank You for your design mockups. However, we have decided to no longer pursue your services at this time.

As for the partial refund thing, read you contract. if you simply leave it up to them, they will say no.

There was no contract. Our fault. Just hoping that they have the courtesy to return it.

 

[Gibson486]

It's tough then. How do you put a price on things that do not have an agreement? What exactly was supposed to happen? You hired design services for what? Building plans? Product plans? Marketing Plans?

 

[Schfifty Five]

Could you be more specific

I'd just leave it out completely.

You can say something like "At this time, management has decided to discontinue services with your company."

 

[slicksilver]

It's tough then. How do you put a price on things that do not have an agreement? What exactly was supposed to happen? You hired design services for what? Building plans? Product plans? Marketing Plans?

Hired them for flyer design services. Yup I know I'm against all odds. There is no harm in trying is they. I would have returned a part if I was in their place. My conscience would not have allowed me to not refund. Agreement was verbal.

 

[paperfist]

'avail your services'?

Thank you for the opportunity to work with your company on providing us with our flyer designs. At this time we are no longer interested in pursuing our agreement any further. Please refund our costs based on work completed. We look forward to working with your company in the future.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

be as blunt as you can to us, and we can put it more professionally. right now its impossible to tell what are you even trying to communicate.

 

[ViviTheMage]

be as blunt as you can to us, and we can put it more professionally. right now its impossible to tell what are you even trying to communicate.

He went with another design company, because the one he already dropped some cash on sucks would be my guess?? That or the project fell through?

 

[slicksilver]

He went with another design company, because the one he already dropped some cash on sucks would be my guess?? That or the project fell through?

This. Designs suck.

 

[xanis]

There was no contract. Our fault. Just hoping that they have the courtesy to return it.

No contract? That was a dumb move not only on your part, but on the part of the designer. No designer worth his salt takes on any significant project without things in writing.

I'm a Graphic Designer by trade. I have a 9-5 job like every other shmoe, but I also freelance and work with someone on a startup agency. As a freelancer, not being happy with the designs doesn't warrant a refund of any kind. You're compensating the designer for a time worked and deliverables. Generally, contracts protect both parties in this type of situation by stipulating things like revisions, timeframe, satisfaction, etc, but there was no contract here so... neither party is really entitled to anything.

To answer your original question, I think the best way to approach it would be to say that you appreciated all of his/her hard work (though you were unsatisfied with the work produced) and if they could possibly find a way to refund at least some of the money, that you would greatly appreciate it and be happy to refer them to jobs in the future. Wouldn't keep your fingers crossed though.

 

[endervalentine]

'avail your services'?

Thank you for the opportunity to work with your company on providing us with our flyer designs. At this time we are no longer interested in pursuing our agreement any further. Please refund our costs based on work completed. We look forward to working with your company in the future.

sounds the best so far.

 

[slicksilver]

sounds the best so far.

Yes used this. Thanks.

They didn't take it too well. Got mad infact that they'd rather work with people who can match their energies. The reply was very amateur and unprofessional. Lesson learnt today is never take anything by word or face value...always have a contract.

Xanis, definitely understand and agree with what you've said completely. The biggest mistake here is the lack of a contract.