I'm annoyed at how catering halls act like they are doing you such a huge favor by giving you a 'recommended vendor list. The fact is vendors are on those lists because they give the catering halls kickbacks. Plain and simple. Catering halls are not trying to do us a favor, they are trying to do themselves a favor. I had one hall go into this big dissertation on how they couldn't lower the price by even a $1 because he'd be making no money on the deal, blah, blah, blah. SO I said, if I use your recommended florist and limo company can you knock a couple hundred dollars off because I know for a fact that you get at least 10% from each of them if I book. Youi would have thought he was a ballerina-the way he danced around that question. It just annoys me how some halls think we're complete idiots.
Blu-ize
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
Amen! Also, the minute you mention the word wedding they get dollar signs in their eyes. If it were just an anniversary party there is a ton more flexibility.
busybee705
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
So far I have not used any of my hall's recommended vendors. I don't plan to, either. I had a funny feeling about some of them...
jsb1ot
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
Posted by danielleb
I'm annoyed at how catering halls act like they are doing you such a huge favor by giving you a 'recommended vendor list. The fact is vendors are on those lists because they give the catering halls kickbacks. Plain and simple. Catering halls are not trying to do us a favor, they are trying to do themselves a favor. I had one hall go into this big dissertation on how they couldn't lower the price by even a $1 because he'd be making no money on the deal, blah, blah, blah. SO I said, if I use your recommended florist and limo company can you knock a couple hundred dollars off because I know for a fact that you get at least 10% from each of them if I book. Youi would have thought he was a ballerina-the way he danced around that question. It just annoys me how some halls think we're complete idiots.
Kudos!
Summer05
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
Many of our vendors told us flat out the fee that they pay to be on a 'recommended vendor' list at a hall.
LaurenluvsTJ
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
We are going to see one of our hall's recommended vendors this weekend. I am curious to see if they offer us a discount.
103005FallBride
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I agree! The only recommended vendor we used was the in-house florist. I absolutely love their work. Other than that...pblllttt....
David'sbride
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
I used no recommended vendors from my hall. Two of my vendors work out of their home. Why should I pay for some expensive rent for an office/building, expecially in a tony section of town? I don't think I even considered any of them. I worked off of the recommendations of many brides off of this site.
Actually, some of the recommended vendors from some of the halls... hmmmm, I can think of one florist in particular, that has gotten many more bad reviews on this site than good. Rarely is there a bride that hasn't had at least one issue with them.
cjb88
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
one of my vendors told me that to be a 'recommended vendor' they have to give the hall a big kick back... and therefor sometimes have to charge the bride & groom more money so they make enough money... so going to the hall's favorite vendor list can actually cost you more!
Butterflybride
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We went with our hall's recommended Photographer, but the other vendors were terrible , especially the DJ.
salsbride06
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
I REALLY HAVENT CONTACTED ANY OF THE VENDORS THAT WERE PROVIDE BY MALL HALL. I HAD A FEW OTHER PEOPLE IN MY MIND. I CANT BELIVE HOW GREDDY THEY GET.
gNi1125
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That's so true! I'm sure they think I'm an idiot when I am really just keeping my mouth closed. If only they knew what I really thought!
MsKitty1274
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
I have booked one vendor my hall recommended and will be booking a 2nd this Saturday. I like their work and did not eve think of the kick-backs. I did visit NON-hall vendors as well.
My hall does offer an incentive to booking their vendors, upgrades to the cocktail hour if you book 4 (I think, or is it 3) of their vendors.
curliegirl
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
Thank You!
DO you know someone actually told me that they are REQUIRED to use the catering halls' vendors? Too bad I don't remember which hall...
danielleb
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Re: Annoyed so here is the truth
Posted by curliegirl
Thank You!
DO you know someone actually told me that they are REQUIRED to use the catering halls' vendors? Too bad I don't remember which hall...
They control everything!!! Next they'll be providing brides with a 'recommended designers' list for our gowns.
gNi1125
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Posted by curliegirl
Thank You!
DO you know someone actually told me that they are REQUIRED to use the catering halls' vendors? Too bad I don't remember which hall...
This happened to me too. Initially Russo's wanted ppl using their house florist. We explained to them FH's cousin is a florist and they were very accomadating. They just asked we provide them with insurance documentation. When we went to go visit Glen Island Harbour Club they also wanted us to use their house florist. When we told the BM about FH's cousin. He gave us a look as if he was debating letting us use our own florist and then said 'Okay, but you have to let Florist 'X' deliver the flowers. Our trucks have to pull up' I was thinking to myself YEAH RIGHT!!! I am sure they would have charged us a hefty delivery and setup fee. All I said was Thanks but no Thanks!
