Stephans and Spitz and Peck

FTS Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:30 PM

Stephans and Spitz and Peck

I have read SO many mixed reviews of them, but I am required to use one of them as my florist... which makes me really nervous. Any advice on how to best deal with them? Do you recommend I speak with someone specific? I am worried, because I don't have a huge flower budget and I have heard how expensive they are... I don't want them to laugh at me or not treat me well. I am planning on meeting with them in a couple of weeks. I feel like I am picking the lesser of two evils which is not the way I wanted to pick flowers! Any suggestions? Thanks!!

MrsK-in-June05 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:34 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

i had fh call the bm and tell him i am not using spitz & peck. way too expensive. you can definitley get out of using them. try as hard as you can.

NYC04 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:35 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

I am using S&P and so far they have been nothing but accomodating. I told them my budget and they were able to give me everything I wanted for that. I am working with Bobby at the Cedarhurst location.

Barakabella Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:35 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Yes, no such thing as have to -- all depends on how much of a fight you are willing to put up.

pinkgirl Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:35 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Stefans is the BEST! I have used Spitz and Peck and they did not deliver on what they promised, or what I payed for! I DEFINITELY DO NOT recommend using them!!!

Jax430 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:40 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

I went to Stefans when I was looking for a florist, as it was also one of the house florists. I was not impressed with the flower quality that I saw, and I have heard other stories about them reusing flowers, and having dead flowers in centerpieces. I thing my friend who got married at Jericho used Dalsimer? Aren't they a house florist there?

sammi102 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:46 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

I had to choose between Stefan's and Dalsimer. What I did was get a quote from both of the, and negotiate between the two since you have to use them. I then saw the sample centerpieces of both and hands down, Dalsimer's was better. I just did not think that Stefan's flowers were full enough and they weren't even using fresh flowers for the sample. I would look at sample centerpieces before booking and definitely negotiate between the two. Is there anyway to get out of it? to use a different florist?

FTS Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:46 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

It is in our contract that we must use one of these too -- even though I have heard that other florists have been used there. We did fight it at the time, but they swore up and down that these two are the only florists are allowed there. I am quickly realizing that they lied, which sucks.

We signed with Jericho Jewish Center because we liked enough things about it that we thought the florist issue would be OK. But, now I am thinking we made a mistake....

Joey'sbaby Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:48 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

The owner of Stefan's and particularly his daughter are psychotic...no kidding around.....there is definitely something wrong and I think it must be genetic. On the other hand I know of several people who have used Spitz and Peck (I heard you get better service at the Huntington location) and were very pleased. Bottom line is that you have to be confident in the person you are dealing with...that they will deliver what they promised etc. Regardless of others opinions it's yours that counts!! Good luck!!

sept20yay Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:52 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Do not use Stefans! They made my mother cry at the wedding. They were rude, overpriced like no ones business, and ny husband almost had a fist fight with the person that they sent. The only reason he did not was because my photographer stepped in and broke it up. They made me cry!
The florist never showed up to my wedding! They sent some assistant I had never seen in my life and he had promised he would be there. My experience with them was nothing short of traumatic! It was traumatic and heartbreaking!

sept20yay Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:54 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Posted by Joey'sbaby

The owner of Stefan's and particularly his daughter are psychotic...no kidding around.....there is definitely something wrong and I think it must be genetic. On the other hand I know of several people who have used Spitz and Peck (I heard you get better service at the Huntington location) and were very pleased. Bottom line is that you have to be confident in the person you are dealing with...that they will deliver what they promised etc. Regardless of others opinions it's yours that counts!! Good luck!!

YES! The owner of Stefans is to whom I am referring. He was a psychopath and was a longwinded ARROGANT spacecadet. Then my mom requested we use his assistant, Steve. He never showed up and never apologized. Stefan only finally came one half hour before the ceremony and it was only because my MIL begged him! Traumatizing and mean!

Jmg11 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 04:57 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

I am using Stephans - yes, the owner is a little off his rocker - but he is a sweet guy. If you go there deal with Steve.

We felt the S&P showroom was geared more towards Bar/Bat Mitzvah's then weddings. They were very cold to us...Chris (The owner of stephans) was a little nutty but sooo accomodating and nice to us.

We got a quote from both - they were both in the same range - I was able to talk Stephans down a little.

Our temple (Woodbury Jewish center) let's us break the contract with the florists but for a fee - see how much it is ...it might be worth it.

Regardless, you should be somewhat upfront about what you have to spend and they will have to accomodate you - that is part of having an exclusive contract with a place..they need to accomodate everyone.

One more thing - I used to work for a florist..sometimes when you need a sample made up, they will re use flowers for the sample...but not for the wedding!!!! Other wise samples get very expensive - and they will pass that cost on to you in your prices.

dublreedr Posted: Jul 27, 2004 05:07 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Although I am not getting married at JJC, my contract also stated only Stefans or Spitz and Pec. I went to Stefans first and was not impressed. A few weeks later a silk flower arrangement was delivered to my door! That really made me a little leary of them.I did not go to Spitz and Peck because of things I learned about them. I also felt I had to choose between the lesser of 2 evils. I called the caterer and because Dalsimer was used at the Temple previously we agreed I could use them. My advice is to really talk to the caterer and go with someone who has done work there before. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Elizabeth720 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 05:10 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

We used Spitz and Peck for our July 3 wedding and loved them. Everyone raved about our flowers and we received exactly what we asked for. Let me know if you'd like to see flower pictures.

MindyL28 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 05:24 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Hi Jenna-

I can tell you for sure that the caterers at JJC are not going to bend. As you know, we were able to use another florist based on our contract and we found out after our wedding that the board members of the temple were very angry that we had done that and have forbit any other florist from working there, other than S&P and Stefans. Michael told my MIL that he got in a lot of trouble for letting us use another florist. They had no problem with our florist, but they have arrangements with these 2 florists and they are not budging. I know it's the same case at a lot of other places too! I wish I could tell you differently.

You could ask them about Dalsimer but they may have banned that florist too. I know someone who used Dalsimer at JJC but that was last year and obviously, they are more strict now. I didn't meet with Stefans but we did meet with S&P. We were going to go with them, before we went to our's. We met with a guy named Bobby (I think) at S&P in their Huntington office and he was nice. We went in with a set budget and he worked with that. You can also do what the other ladies here suggested- get quotes from both and see what they can do to beat eachother out. I think you'll be fine with S&P- they have a good reputation and obviously, they do a lot of work in the synagogues.

Good luck! Oh- I responded to the email you sent me also. Check your email.

Mindy

FTS Posted: Jul 27, 2004 05:32 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Thanks everyone! I really am happy about the JJC, but just SO nervous about the florists. I realize that I need to have a more positive attitude about it and not go in automatically thinking it will be bad. I appreciate the suggestions of who to speak with. I am sure that will help! Definitely makes me feel better to see the positive things. Here's hoping....

jozieb0925 Posted: Jul 30, 2004 03:15 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

I am using Stephans florist and am dealing with Joe. So far, the experience has not been bad. He prepared an arrangement for us and it was beautiful.

Kriss2c Posted: Jul 30, 2004 03:41 PM

Re: Stephans and Spitz and Peck

Stephans was the 'exclusive' florist for my CH.... But when I started getting calls from Sptiz and Peck saying that there were the exclusive florist. I decided to strike out on my own.

I have not heard anything about it from the hall at all.