Do you ever wonder...

bridzilla Posted: Dec 17, 2003 12:42 PM

Do you ever wonder...

...if the people posting on this forum are vendors and not brides?

bethsiar Posted: Dec 17, 2003 12:48 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

nah, people are pretty much regulars here so you get to know them now. Apparently the new thing is to insinuate that brides are getting a discount on their wedding or some just come out and accuse it blatanly.

Either way, after a while you get to know which brides are complete psychos and who just is really happy with their vendor.

JimmysBride Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:02 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

Yes, I DO!! Sometimes I don't even necessarily think the posting bride herself is a vendor but I think she may be related (perhaps married) to one. To me it's a little strange to hear a bride rave to no end about a vendor she has not even used yet. Yes, I completely understand enthusiasm for your vendor and even recommending them without having used them yet but sometimes.... geez, you just HAVE to wonder. Plus I know just how closely vendors watch this board. I mostly get suspicious of newbies though (not saying you are a vendor) so I'm very careful to watch what I say. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a newbie come on here and ONLY do one thing -- talk or ask about vendors (mostly ask) and then you'll never ever see her again. And it happens at such opportune times..... I am very skeptical of what I read on these boards although I like to think that I know who most of the REAL brides are.

tourist Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:08 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

You can tell the real brides by their rants about future in laws, & pain in the butt bridesmaids

You can always do a search in the chat, but member name, and see what else the person has posted.

RedHead Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:10 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

Sometimes....

jenny2penny Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:12 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

the vendors definetly read, so I would not be surprised if they post as a bride too

ChristineC68 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:16 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

It's happened and it's usually pretty obvious. If a new person comes on raving about one vendor and one vendor only it usually sends up flags. They get flushed out pretty quickly though.

I think this forum is great for ideas and suggestions. I found several vendors based on recommendations from this board.

I would never book any vendor based on one person's experience so I don't get worked up about the fake brides.

bridzilla Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:20 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I'm just so nervous that I may book the wrong people. Too much pressure!

D&J Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:23 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

As for me, I'm more of a lurker than a poster..

I love reading everyones ideas & reviews, it's helped me answer many questions I've had about planning my wedding..
.. with out LIW & all you girls, I would have been lost...

So, I just want to say Thanks!

dolphin Posted: Dec 17, 2003 02:18 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

Some vendors definitely pose as brides. I had one occurance with this. I had been posting questions about video packages in August and people were helping me out. I received a FM from a 'bride' stating specifics to her video package and phone number. Now brides do tel you they will FM you when they get home with the specifics and that does not mean they are a vendor BUT
two months later I posted another question about video and received THE SAME FM from a DIFFERENT girl regarding this company but this time the girl WORKED for the company.
Most of the advice is geniune though. You get to know people's names etc and you will see.

kptoys Posted: Dec 17, 2003 02:35 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

Some vendors are Shady like that. I've had my suspicions. If you ever think someone is what they arent dont give them your business.

nrsedee Posted: Dec 17, 2003 04:11 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I encountered a vendor that posted as a bride on here! She was doing it to market her band(pretty sad)... I just love to read the posts and the drama that goes on...............

palebride Posted: Dec 17, 2003 05:06 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

of course people on here are fake brides! it's a public forum. i wouldn't book anyone on here soley based on the advice of brides on this site.
go and meet with the vendors, talk to them, see other vendors, compare them.
it's tough to make choices and it's an important day....but if you make mistakes and get a vendor that doesn't deliver what they say they will...it's not going to ruin your marriage...it'll only put a small minor bump in your day!
no need to stress about fake brides...it's fun when you figure out who they are!!!

sun86moon Posted: Dec 17, 2003 08:10 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

That's unbelievable that vendors would do that. I guess I am pretty naive to think that wouldn't happen

mich Posted: Dec 17, 2003 08:12 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I think it happens and we would be kidding ourselves to think it doesn't. I think like the above posters you can tell sometimes. Also, I have never booked a vendor solely on the basis of these boards.

Kelly9904 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 08:31 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I think Kp and I had a similar experience with someone who posted on this an another board and both of us couldnt help but wonder....

bellepoque Posted: Dec 18, 2003 12:14 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I tend to be more of a lurker as well. A friend of a friend recommends if you have any 'red flags' or think that a vendor is too good to be true to check with the Better Business Bureau. Here's a link to the website:

http://www.bbbnewyork.org

It's free and its one way to find out if there have been complaints and also if the business is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Just a helpful tool. I've actually looked up quite a few of the vendors mentioned often in this forum to get a better idea...

oakslady Posted: Dec 18, 2003 12:28 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

i had heard that from other members - but i figured that i would deal with each vendor then i would know what was hype and what wasnt -
i rant and talk about my photographer all the time - but i am not related to him . - i just think my engagement pics came out fab - and i think the wedding will be great -
i dont think that everyone who talks about a vendor is related to them
i saw alot of photographers before i picked mine and i think he is great - i like to share good finds - and i like to hear about them too !!!!!- saves me alot of leg work if someone else has used someone and totally loves how they were treated - i guess it isnt so much about the product even - i am kinda looking for how they were to you -
i had one guy who was so rude to me it almost made me cry - i would love to not have to deal with anyone else like that -
i guess like all things you have to take everything with a grain of salt - if only one person liked him/her and everyone else says they were terrible then you know what to think -
am i rambling? i guess i am - just drove way too many hours and havent really slept in about 4 days - holidays are rough sometimes.
thanks for listening to me ramble - lol
so those are just my thoughts for whatever they are worth

AliKing Posted: Dec 18, 2003 12:31 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I never thought about it, but its really sad if someone is pretending to be a bride and they are not!

Janine24 Posted: Dec 18, 2003 08:40 PM

Re: Do you ever wonder...

I can't believe I just saw this post...b/c my dad was just mentioning yesterday that vendors probably go on this website and post as brides...and there I was telling him he knew nothing of the website and that they woudn't do that...