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How to avoid event vendor scams when you book

No-shows and "send the balance first" requests ruin parties. Here's how to protect your money when you hire a DJ, caterer or decorator.

By the FunConnect team · 2026-10-21

The most common way a party goes wrong before it starts: a vendor takes a deposit and disappears, or shows up with half of what was agreed. A few habits protect you.

Agree everything in writing

Price, date, start and finish time, what's included and what isn't, and who provides equipment. If it isn't written down, it's your word against theirs.

Don't pay the full amount to a personal account up front

Once money leaves your account directly, you have little leverage if something goes wrong. Escrow solves this: on FunConnect your payment is held by FunConnect, not the vendor, and released only after the job is done, or decided by our team if you report a problem.

Be careful when someone asks to move off the platform

A vendor asking you to "just pay to my account" or chat on another app before anything is agreed is a warning sign. On FunConnect, phone numbers and bank details in chats are hidden until a booking is funded, and you can report anyone who asks you to pay outside.

Check reviews from real bookings

Reviews on FunConnect come only from completed bookings, and a host's review is hidden from the specialist until both sides have reviewed, so they're harder to fake or pressure.

On the day

• Confirm the vendor has arrived only when you can see them.
• Don't confirm the job is done if something went wrong: report a problem first, while the money is still held.
• Keep all messages in one place so there's a record.

Step-by-step in the Help Center

• How does FunConnect escrow work, and when does the specialist get paid?
• Can I pay a vendor directly instead of through FunConnect?
• The specialist didn't show up or didn't do the job well. What do I do?
• How do I cancel a booking, and will I get a refund?

FunConnect · support@funconnect.app