GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — An update on a Problem Solver story we first told you about last week. Several West Michigan newlyweds accuse a DJ of ruining their big day by being a no-show to a wedding.
Eric Lee Deridder, the DJ in question, has gone silent since the last time we reached out to him for comment, but Rachel and Corbin Potter have decided to speak out about their interaction with Deridder.
“We were actually taking our wedding photos that moment, when you are supposed to be so happy with your husband surrounded by best friends and family and all of that love and joy, but instead we got a call that our DJ was not there. It was devastating to get that phone call that your guests are here and nothing is happening,” said Rachel Potter about her Rockford reception.
The Potters said they tried to contact Deridder when their wedding planner noticed he was a no-show and his number was disconnected. His Facebook wasn’t searchable and he wasn’t responding to e-mails. They said their initial meeting with Deridder never set off a red flag.
“He seemed very professional. He seemed to know what he was talking about, and he gave us a contract and forms to fill out for information he would need,” said Rachel.
The Potters said they did their homework too. They hired Deridder well in advance, got references, and paid $400 up front. Also, they contacted him two weeks prior, and said that Deridder confirmed all the details and that he was still planning on being there.
“The day after the wedding, we were just packing for our honeymoon and getting ready to leave, but all of a sudden we got a Facebook message back from him saying that he had subcontracted our wedding out and just acting surprised that his guy didn’t show up,” said Rachel.
The problem is they say Deridder never told them he was going to subcontract their wedding. He allegedly told them he would be the one showing up. Rachel said even if that was the case, no one showed up to work their wedding reception.
Deridder responded to the Problem Solvers in an e-mail last week. He wrote that he paid Rachel and Corbin Potter back, however, they say they still haven’t received a dime. FOX 17 went looking for him. Deridder has three cell phone numbers, all of them disconnected, and had two addresses listed for his business, but are other peoples’ residences.
“Whatever happened on his part, I don’t care. He just needed to make it right, because we paid for a service that we didn’t receive and that’s not right,” said Rachel.
We found that Deridder has a criminal record as well. He was found guilty of concealing stolen property in 1994 and felony embezzlement in 1996. Also, he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2005. His business license for SFX Marketing for his DJ’ing business has been in bad standing with the state since 2012.
“If he pushes us to the point we have to go to court, we will be going after $400 he owes us and the money we paid the replacement DJ for doing his job, because he didn’t, and whatever court fees are associated with it,” said Rachel.
The Potter’s have a warning for anyone out there that might consider his services - don’t do it.
“I would hate to have somebody else book him and not know this could happen,” said Rachel.
