is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Kara and Todd Posted: Dec 11, 2006 03:37 PM

is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

I emailed a vendor to get a price quote and was given a low to high range, told the price depends on the package we choose, etc. I was also told to call to discuss packages and specific pricing.

This weekend, my FI started making all the calls to vendors to clarify prices and set up meetings. When he spoke to this vendor on the phone (different employee, but same vendor), the packages he was quoted were completely different (and far more expensive) than the price range I was given. (So you can understand, the lowest priced package over the phone was the highest price in the email price quote I got)

Is this normal?!

I'm clarifying the price with this vendor now... but this is where I REALLY start to question whether or not I want to do business with this vendor. (And, quite honestly, I probably won't)

Am I the only one who gets REALLY annoyed by stuff like this?! I get that most of this stuff is negotiable... but man. This irks me. The two ranges weren't even close.

This happened to me with RHs, too...

ziamaria Posted: Dec 11, 2006 03:43 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

yeah, it *****. most people didn't want to give email or phone quotes, but i live in fl so that wasn't gonna fly. you get a better deal when you are referred. im using most of the vendors my brother and sister in law used and they gave me their price, a year later with a discount b/c of the month....keep shopping its annoying but youll find someone you love w/ a good price

Kara and Todd Posted: Dec 11, 2006 03:46 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

I'm not annoyed at their price. As far as I'm concerned, they can charge whatever they want! I'm annoyed that, when I inquired it was one price... and then when my FI inquired a few days later, it was a different price!

I'm pretty sure I've already found the vendor I want for this... but argh. Business like that annoys me soooooooo much.

ETA - I'm especially pissed b/c I know more than one bride on here who has gotten this vendor for less than the lowest price we were quoted over all - for weddings taking place AFTER ours.

Tina120206 Posted: Dec 11, 2006 03:54 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Unfortunately, totally normal. Vendors hear bride/wedding, they see dollar signs. Get it all in writing! Shop around and do your research.

October Bliss Posted: Dec 11, 2006 03:54 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Posted by Kara and Todd

ETA - I'm especially pissed b/c I know more than one bride on here who has gotten this vendor for less than the lowest price we were quoted over all - for weddings taking place AFTER ours.

Some vendors charge different prices for different seasons. RHs are the biggest example of this. A June wedding is more expensive than a February wedding (or even November).

libby2595 Posted: Dec 11, 2006 03:58 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

one thing we all learn the hard way is that weddings are OVER PRICED (period). there is no reason they need to have different prices.

granted, some seasons are more popular, and we learned in economics 101 about supply andn demand... but come on, this gets so out of hand.

don't worry, there are ethical vendors our there

Kara and Todd Posted: Dec 11, 2006 04:19 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

I just needed to vent.

I understand seasonal differences. I understand that weddings are overpriced.

I am annoyed that we were given two COMPLETELY (not even the same ballpark) price ranges for the exact same service on the exact same date. FI called to get detailed information (and stated that we had emailed) and the price was much higher. My FI didn't know offhand the price I was quoted over email - just knew we were supposed to call for more info.

That annoys me. So much so I will not even meet with this vendor now.

Want to be expensive and change price with the demand? Fine. Just at least make up your mind for this one day.

That's what annoys me. It's a freakin' waste of everyone's time if the vendor can't just give me a price and stick to it. I am EXTREMELY busy. Both my FI and I work more than 60 hours a week and commute an hour each way. We don't have an extra hour to meet with a vendor who BS's us. We barely have time to meet with vendors as it is.

The fastest way to lose my business is to give me a price to get me in the door and raise the price when I get there. No sales pitch will overcome those business practices for me.

I just needed to vent.

I absolutely can't stand it when people do business like this.

Kara and Todd Posted: Dec 11, 2006 04:20 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Posted by libby2595

one thing we all learn the hard way is that weddings are OVER PRICED (period). there is no reason they need to have different prices.

granted, some seasons are more popular, and we learned in economics 101 about supply andn demand... but come on, this gets so out of hand.

don't worry, there are ethical vendors our there

Thanks! So far, I'm trying to only book them. The vendors that have done this to us so far have all been scratched off the list IMMEDIATELY.

Kara and Todd Posted: Dec 11, 2006 04:21 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Posted by October Bliss

Posted by Kara and Todd

ETA - I'm especially pissed b/c I know more than one bride on here who has gotten this vendor for less than the lowest price we were quoted over all - for weddings taking place AFTER ours.

Some vendors charge different prices for different seasons. RHs are the biggest example of this. A June wedding is more expensive than a February wedding (or even November).

Good point... This is a vendor who (generally) wouldn't change price a whole lot with the seasons... but even so, the difference in price is way more than a seasonal difference... at least as far as I can see.

It just annoys me that the prices we were given were THOUSANDS of dollars different, for the exact same service, time, place, date, etc.!

Kara and Todd Posted: Dec 11, 2006 04:23 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Okay, and here's a question.

If this vendor later contacts me to find out if I am still interested the services, should I tell them WHY I have no desire to meet with them? Or should I just not waste my breath?

Tina120206 Posted: Dec 11, 2006 04:36 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

Posted by Kara and Todd

Okay, and here's a question.

If this vendor later contacts me to find out if I am still interested the services, should I tell them WHY I have no desire to meet with them? Or should I just not waste my breath?

I'd tell them. I had vendors do that to me. Put them on the spot! Sometimes some of these vendors heads get too big, bring them back to reality.

akaMrsT Posted: Dec 11, 2006 04:56 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

We experienced some price hikes with halls (one went up by $12 pp in one phone call) but for the most part we only spoke with owners about pricing. Owners are more free to make 'deals' so it could be that the employee did not know that you were given a better price when your FH called to follow up. If you like this vendor, I would give the owner a chance to explain before deciding not to book.

And should you not book be sure to tell them why you were not pleased. It could only help that vendor in the future.

Blu-ize Posted: Dec 11, 2006 05:32 PM

Re: is this normal practice? (subtitled I hate vendors sometimes)

I would tell them. They need to get better control of their business practices.

There could be a miscommunication, but once a vendor rubbed me the wrong way, they would be out!