Negotiating with Vendors-UPDATED :)

HappyEverAfter Posted: Jan 27, 2003 10:58 AM

Negotiating with Vendors-UPDATED :)

Does anyone else hate doing this? I am sitting here trying to psyche myself up to try and get some $$ cut off the quote I got from a florist. I feel like such a dork trying to be smooth while working them to lower their price. They gave a price of $2500 (before tax), I want $2400 (including tax). FH is making me do it this time, and I am procrastinating big time. Any wheeler-dealers w. good advice??

WithThisRing Posted: Jan 27, 2003 11:03 AM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

my dad is a salesmen and he usually tells me that if someone wants your business they'll fight to keep you.

do you have quotes from other vendors??

if so just say well ya know its between you and another company and this other company is offering me this price and i really like that price.

if the vendor thinks he is going to loose you as a potential client, they'll give you what you want.

curly2003 Posted: Jan 27, 2003 11:40 AM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I hated doing this but I say just call them and be honest with what you want. I'm sure they'll accomadate you somehow. Good Luck.

HappyEverAfter Posted: Jan 27, 2003 11:46 AM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I am such a wuss, I know I will not be able to be smooth. The only thing I have going for me is that its over the phone.

ChristineC68 Posted: Jan 27, 2003 11:47 AM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

you could also offer to pay in cash. we got a little discount with a couple of our vendors for doing this.

WishCandy Posted: Jan 27, 2003 11:56 AM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

Definitely psych them out and say that another place is offering you the same thing for a lil' bit less than you actually want to pay. Maybe that will get them to meet you 1/2 way to the amount you actually wanted to pay in the first place.

Niecey Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:06 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I would call them and say I really want to book with you but I can only budget $2400 including tax for flowers and ask them what can be done. You can also say you are working with another company that will work in that price range but your really like them better. Also, paying cash reaps benefits depending on the place. One of those three always worked with us. Rarely did we pay the list price. We found most vendors are really willing to work in your budget.

I also had my brother who got married three months before us and booking two affairs at once - helped give us bargaining power (photo, video, and florist)!

kittycat10 Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:17 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

Has anyone successfully negotiated the price for the Reception Hall?
I would like to bring them down a few $$ per person, but am not sure hwo to go about it.

mv1003 Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:26 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

Call me cheap, but I don't like paying the full price for anything! I think a lot of the prices are highway robbery!!! I've got all my prices lowered simply by asking. (I've got no shame). I'm not rude about it, just give them a nice little 'pathetic' voice (that's what I think) I tell them how much I like them and I've seen a lot of vendors, but I was thinking of only spending xyz... they usually work with you. I don't get exactly what I want- but the middle.
Just give them a call, you're not asking for much.
$100 off + the tax- reasonable. It's not like you're asking for the total to be $2K for everything.

good luck!

sonia Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:41 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

kittykat ~ my dad was actually able to bargain with the reception hall and we got a great deal. how he did it was beyond me, but it worked hehe. our reception hall had a lot of different fees (x for renting the hall, x for setup/cleanup, x for using an outside caterer, etc etc). instead of paying them those flat fees, and some fees per person (like the catering charge), my dad negotiated it all into one final per person price. overall, we saved a lot of money .. but yea, it was a pretty smart strategy. and because we have a lot of guests coming, we didnt have too much of a problem convincing the hall.

sept20yay! Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:46 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

Say I would like to go with you---- I liked x,y,z about yourself and your company.... So, here is what I am going to need to proceed.... In looking at the proposal, I would like to make some small changes... Do this for me for 2400.... I will pay cash so that ought to help you out or something!

EBM7 Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:47 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I'm actually having fun doing this!! My FH was very impressed with my negotiation skills. Basically, what I do is say 'this is what I want and this is what I'm willing to pay.' I have found that 9 times out of 10 it works!! These vendors expect you to negotiate, so don't worry - be brave!

kittycat10 Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:47 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

Thanks guys I do need some confidence- MV1003 They actually took off the tax for you?
that would be a great deal.

karenJ Posted: Jan 27, 2003 12:49 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I bargained with all my vendor and got much more than what I would have gotten in the begining if I kept my mouth shut. :)

Karen

HappyEverAfter Posted: Jan 28, 2003 05:32 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

Had to update with the news that I negotiated w. my florist and they came down on the price to where I wanted I feel so brave. It was easier to do over the phone. Am breaking my arm patting myself on the back

JoRo Posted: Jan 28, 2003 05:55 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

That's great! we knew you could do it!!! now, i bet you try to do it again on the next one!

ddunne23 Posted: Jan 28, 2003 06:11 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

This is how I had a beautiful full-out wedding for 100 guests!! BARGAIN BABY! I got my hall to knock off $5 per head on an already AMAZING price by using my 'I used to work here a couple of years ago with so and so in the banquet office'. Got a great deal with the florist using the same tactic. Negotiated my photographer to get what I wanted for what I wanted to pay. (He gave me a vague number one day over the phone so when I met with him I said well you said X amount which was about $500 less than what he really said, so we met in the middle and I got my price). Bargaining with the limo companies is the easiest. Pretty much just name drop another well known company knocking off about $100-$150 off their lowest quote and you will get your price.

My advice...be strong. The vendors need you to pay their bills. If you get every vendor to knock off a couple of hundred dollars, that difference will pay for your dj, or your flowers, etc. Don't be afraid to ask!!! EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE! And don't go by predetermined packages! Tell them what you want and make sure you get it! Don't let them upsell you for something you don't want.

curly2003 Posted: Jan 28, 2003 09:33 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I'm so proud of you!! Yay! Your FH must be ECSTATIC!!

DaniRN Posted: Jan 28, 2003 09:40 PM

Re: Negotiating with Vendors

I negotiated with my hall-at first I felt like I was being cheap but I was like who cares? Anyway, I am now getting free Vienese Hour and upgrade of filet mignon for free---guess it worked