Frequently Asked Questions
This page last updated on May 31, 2023.
Will you set up your services in my backyard, side yard, front yard or inside my house?
We no longer provide any of our services at your house unless it is in the garage or driveway. The main reason being it is very difficult to haul our commercial catering equipment into yards or inside your house. These types of setups usually involve steep hills, are uneven and involve steps or stairs making for a very difficult setup.
If hiring us for any of our services at your house, we are only able to provide the service in your garage or driveway. No exceptions.
If you are hosting the event in a party room at a condo or apartment building that has ramp access and/or elevators (no steps or stairs at all) we can still cater the event for you.
What do you need from me?
Unless discussed otherwise, all we need from you is access to a sink before and after the service, a 10×10 space to set up, and to be within 25′ of a standard dedicated electrical outlet. 1 dedicated outlet per espresso machine.
All service locations must be flat, level and paved. No grass.
If we are setting up outside, such as on a driveway or sidewalk, we need you to provide a tent, shelter or other similar protective covering to protect our staff and equipment from the sun and/or weather. If you can not provide this for us, we will bring our own. There is a $250 fee for this.
All outdoor services must have an outdoor ambient temperature of at least 60°F for the entire service for us to provide outdoor services.
What are your booking, payment and cancellation policies?
DEPOSIT & PAYMENT POLICY
A minimum 50% deposit is required to secure our services. If booking our services with less than 2 weeks (14 days) from the date of your event, payment in full is due at the time of booking. The deposit is not refundable and will be applied toward your final bill. Payment in full must be received the day before the service date.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
All cancellations and requests to change service dates must be submitted to La Vita Espresso via email or by calling us at 612-746-3975.
If, for any reason, our services are cancelled for the original scheduled service date, a second date of service can be selected for no additional cost. The second date of service is not required at the time of cancellation.
(A) For customers that intend on rescheduling our services if having to cancel:
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- Customers will have 1 YEAR from the original scheduled date to reschedule our services.
- All deposits that have been paid to secure the original date of service will be held and applied to the new date, except as listed below in (A)(5).
- It is the customer’s responsibility to reschedule the event. Reminders will not be sent by La Vita Espresso. It is recommended to reschedule well in advance of the next event date for availability reasons.
- No refunds will be given due to the inability to schedule a mutually agreed upon secondary date
- If a service has not been rescheduled within 1 year of the original date of service, all payments submitted to La Vita Espresso will be forfeited and will not be transferred to any future dates. Reminders will not be sent by La Vita Espresso.
(B) For customers that completely cancel any scheduled service date with no intention of rescheduling
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- If you cancel with 14+ days notice. 50% of the invoice will be due.
- If you cancel with less than 14 days notice, 100% of the invoice will be due.
- If you have paid in full to book, the early pay discount (if applied) will be removed from the invoice and you will charged as listed here in section (B), (1) & (2).
- Any payments received that are above what is due will be refunded within 10 business days.
MODIFICATIONS TO INVOICE
Once payment of any type has been received by La Vita Espresso, additional service options can be added at a later time but at no point can the catering services and options as listed on the original invoice be removed or reduced. The only exception to this would be a change in the local sales tax rate based on the location and date, if the service is rescheduled. Sales tax rates will be verified prior to the new service date.
SERVICE FEES & GRATUITIES
A service fee may be added to our services. If a service fee is added it will be itemized on the quote and/or invoice you received. Per Minnesota Statute 177.23, Subd. 9, this charge is not a gratuity for employee service. Additional gratuities are completely optional and not expected. If you wish to leave a tip dedicated to your server(s), the option to do so is available when paying your invoice.
SERVICE GUARANTEE
It is the wish of La Vita Espresso that our customers are completely satisfied with our services. La Vita Espresso guarantees all services according to the invoice. In order to achieve satisfaction of the customer, La Vita Espresso will reimburse the customer for any unfulfilled portion of this invoice for which La Vita Espresso is directly responsible. The customer is still responsible for all charges of the invoice that La Vita Espresso is able to fulfill.
INDEMNIFICATION
Client will indemnify La Vita Espresso from and against all losses, expenses, damages, claims, or liabilities (including the prevailing party’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by La Vita Espresso that arise from or in connection with (i) the negligence or misconduct of the client, its agents, contractors, or employees under this agreement; or (ii) any breach of the covenants, representations, or warranties of the client made under this agreement.
La Vita Espresso will indemnify the client from and against all losses, expenses, damages, claims, or liabilities (including the prevailing party’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the client that arise from or in connection with (i) the negligence or misconduct of La Vita Espresso, its agents, contractors, or employees under this agreement; or (ii) any breach of the covenants, representations, or warranties of La Vita Espresso made under this agreement.
PAYMENT, SERVICE & POLICY AGREEMENT
I agree to pay all undisputed charges due La Vita Espresso according to this contract.
Should customer default in any such payments, the customer agrees to pay 18% interest, collection fees, reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs incurred by La Vita Espresso. A $30 fee will be assessed on all returned checks.
By submitting payment through Square’s payment processing services you acknowledge you have read and agree to the policies listed within this contract.
AUTHORITY TO SIGN
This contract must be signed by the person or representative of the person or organization listed on the invoice. Each party has the authority to enter into this Contract and to perform all of its obligations under this Contract.
LAST REVISED: MAY 31, 2023
Product Questions
Are your products gluten free?
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- Here is a list of items that may or may not contain gluten:
- Coffee beans = Gluten free
- Flavored Syrups = Yes, all are gluten free
- Sweeteners: Splenda = Gluten free, Sugar in the raw = gluten free
- Cocoa Powder = Gluten free
- Smoothies = Gluten free
- Bottled water (used in our espresso machines) = Gluten free
- Loose leaf & bag tea = gluten free
- Some of our products potentially having gluten:
- Gelato, sorbet, ice creams: Most are gluten free, depends on the variety. Please ask if you are concerned about this.
- Here is a list of items that may or may not contain gluten:
Other Questions
I am hosting or helping plan a fundraiser, dance competition, gymnastics meet or other special event where I would like guests to be able to purchase a cup of coffee. Will you come to our event and sell your coffee, smoothies or gelato?
- No. We do not provide this type of service.
While we pride ourselves on keeping our service areas very clean and do what we can to prevent cross-contamination, guests with any type of food and/or beverage allergies should know our products are made on equipment that may have trace elements of dairy, soy, almond and other allergy inducing items.