CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More customers are coming forward to say that they hired Fred Dupree to cater their events, but things didn’t go as planned.
Most say he stood them up and promised them refunds, but that he has yet to give them money back.
They told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke they hired Dupree for all sorts for events, including a baby shower, a birthday, a brunch, Father’s Day, and three weddings.
“An hour or two before the actual event, that day, he said that his Mom had COVID and that he was not going to be able to provide the food,” Murphy said.
Anthony Murphy says he was planning a 30th birthday party for his fiancée and that he hired Dupree to cater it.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Women say caterer deceived them after not showing up, won’t refund money ]
Murphy says he was forced to buy food elsewhere and that it cost him another $400.
According to the contract, Dupree was supposed to find Murphy a replacement chef or refund his money. Murphy says he didn’t do either.
“I feel angry, for one,” he said. “The fact that we had spent hard-earned money to have this event catered and then he fell through and gave us … excuse.”
Action 9 has learned more about Dupree.
Customers say Dupree’s Instagram profile used to claim he’s a Johnson and Wales certified chef. Stoogenke already reported there’s no such thing. The college said: “There is no such thing as a JWU certified chef. We don’t certify chefs. We offer degrees.”
Since then, the college informed Action 9 that Dupree never even attended the school either.
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Plus, the contract that Dupree gives customers lists his address as one in Georgia. Stoogenke checked property records there and the address doesn’t exist. It could be a typo, but it would take at least two corrections to be a real address.
Dupree responded to the initial news report, but didn’t respond to any of the new allegations in time for this article.
Advice when hiring a caterer:
- Always have a contract.
- Pay with a credit card. It’s easier to dispute charges that way.
- If the caterer doesn’t show, you may consider small claims court. It costs about $100, so you have to decide if it’s worth it. Click here for information on small claims court.
(WATCH BELOW: Women say caterer deceived them after not showing up, won’t refund money)
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