Brides Helping Brides ™ - Please help with vendor dilemma

NeedVendorAdvice Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:10 AM

Please help with vendor dilemma

I made up a new account name for this question so I don't jeopardize our relationship with our vendor before the wedding. I have been told by our vendor that my FH and I are the only ones facing this dilemma so, no one else has anything to fear.

Our wedding is only a few weeks away and we have just found out that our 2nd photographer who we have met and loved will not be there. We are extremely disappointed. The two choices that we were given was to go ahead without adding someone to replace him and receive a $500 discount, or they can try and find another professional photographer as a replacement (who they have worked with on occassion) but we might not even be able to see his or her work (and I doubt we'll get to meet them). I really do love our vendor and their work and am beside myself right now. Also, after reviewing paperwork this morning the price difference between our 2 photographer package and the one below it with just 1 photographer is $1,100!!! I don't understand why they are only offering a $500 discount for the loss of our chosen 2nd photographer, especially when we are paying such a huge amount of $$ for our photos. Also, I don't want to create a tense/hostile situation with them b/c they will be taking pictures at our wedding in just a few weeks and I don't want our relationship ruined.

I just don't know what to do.

Jan05Bride Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:16 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

that's terrible. First you should review your contract again to make sure the price discrepancy is accurate before getting really upset. Second, decide of you REALLY want that second photographer. If you do, then go for it. If not, then make sure you get the FULL $1,100 back!!!

Good luck

chichila15 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:20 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

Posted by Jan05Bride

that's terrible. First you should review your contract again to make sure the price discrepancy is accurate before getting really upset. Second, decide of you REALLY want that second photographer. If you do, then go for it. If not, then make sure you get the FULL $1,100 back!!!

Good luck

I completely agree. Make sure that they give you a full refund (if you've paid already) for that 2nd photographer. Personally, I would choose to keep the 2nd photographer. You added him for a reason, and despite that it's not the same person you had in mind, I'm sure that your vendor wouldn't replace the original photographer with someone not up to his caliber.
Sorry for the disappointment, but try to look on the brighter side... everything happens for a reason. It's possible that a new photographer will be the perfect choice for you. Good luck.

prncssrachel Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:20 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

Wow, tough situation. They should be offering you the entire 1100 dollars and the fact that they are not concerns me the most. If it were me, I would probably take the replacement photographer. I would say to take the 500 dollar discount, then take them to small claims court for the rest, but I think by taking the 500 dollars discount, you would be viewed as 'settling' the situation. I agree about not wanting to cause a hostile situation with your photographer, so again, I would probably take the replacement photographer. I don't think it's a big deal if you can't meet with them first. Maybe get their phone number or email address and try to correspond a little between now and then so they know what you want. Good luck and so sorry about all this!

Bunnymonkey Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:27 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

i think if you handle it correctly, it could end up not being hostile and you can get the 1,000 back-if that is the route you want to go.

Just sit them down and explain how upset you are and tell them you are 'confused' by the discount of 500 when all you will be doing is changing to another package. (But first, as suggested above, make sure the packages are identical except for the # of photographers-are the albums different? Did you get engagement pics? etc...)

Ask them to explain the price difference. If they do not have a sufficient explanation, tell them you would be more comfortable if the contract was changed (due to THEIR last minute change to the deal) and that you would just like to switch to the lower package. Stay sweet, but strong, and they should too. A real professional would not sabotage your pics because of a change that they caused.

Let us know what happens...good luck!

lorsin Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:32 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

Good advice from these ladies - nothing more to say but

Everything will work out for the best!!

tourist Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:44 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I'd go with the 2nd photographer. If it is a reputable company I am sure whoeve they find willalso be good, b/c they will want to try & maintain their reputation.

It is highly unlikely that the unknown person would be awful. It's not like they're hiring me or something!

sammi102 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 09:50 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I'm so sorry. I'm sure everything can be handled without it getting hostile and I'm sure they can understand your frustration. I would ask them to find a 2nd photographer, if this is what you really want, and tell them that you would really like to see their work before the big day. If they can't find someone else, I would double check the price difference and ask for that back and maybe ask them to do a little something extra for you since this is something that was IN YOUR CONTRACT, and they cannot abide by it. I'm really good in these situations. feel free to FM if you need more advice. I usually scream and yell, but I understand in this situation, you don't want to. There is something that they should do for you. I understand things happen, but if they are such a reputable company they should go a little further than what they are offering, in my opinion!!

Blu-ize Posted: Aug 25, 2004 10:08 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I agree, I'm sure this happens to some people. I don't think that this is the first time it has happened to this vendor. But take the other photographer and it will work out. I agree that this photographer is probably a professional. They wouldn't stake their reputation on someone who was subpar.

james'pokey Posted: Aug 25, 2004 11:23 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I agree with the other girls that if you do not get the other photographer you should get your full refund back. Secondly, if you really want the second photgrapher you should go for it. Good luck!

jvs77 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 11:37 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

Oh wow, I'm really sorry. The other ladies have given you some great advice so far. You need to weigh how important a 2nd photographer is. If you choose to stay with one, and the price difference really is $1,100 - I would try to have your vendor honor that. It only seems fair.

jillnbrad Posted: Aug 25, 2004 11:39 AM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

Posted by Jan05Bride

that's terrible. First you should review your contract again to make sure the price discrepancy is accurate before getting really upset. Second, decide of you REALLY want that second photographer. If you do, then go for it. If not, then make sure you get the FULL $1,100 back!!!

Good luck

I agree!!!!!!

PrincessRose Posted: Aug 25, 2004 05:13 PM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

Posted by Bunnymonkey

i think if you handle it correctly, it could end up not being hostile and you can get the 1,000 back-if that is the route you want to go.

Just sit them down and explain how upset you are and tell them you are 'confused' by the discount of 500 when all you will be doing is changing to another package. (But first, as suggested above, make sure the packages are identical except for the # of photographers-are the albums different? Did you get engagement pics? etc...)

Ask them to explain the price difference. If they do not have a sufficient explanation, tell them you would be more comfortable if the contract was changed (due to THEIR last minute change to the deal) and that you would just like to switch to the lower package. Stay sweet, but strong, and they should too. A real professional would not sabotage your pics because of a change that they caused.

Let us know what happens...good luck!

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in - BunnyMonkey is 100% correct here. I had issues with a vendor, and all I had to do was express my concerns calmly and the issue was taken care of and then some. Don't be afraid, just stand your ground calmly.

stacy&joe Posted: Aug 25, 2004 05:15 PM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I think the ladies above gave excellent advice. Good luck - and I hope it all works out!

TracyInQueens Posted: Aug 25, 2004 05:19 PM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I would try and negotiate a better deal for the one photographer. If you had gone with only one it would have been $1100 less, so that's what you should get back.

MrsK-in-June05 Posted: Aug 25, 2004 05:26 PM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

You should definitley reread the contract. Get back the full $1100. If they say no, then call the Dept of Consumer Affairs @ 212.487.4110

suven Posted: Aug 25, 2004 05:31 PM

Re: Please help with vendor dilemma

I would say: tell them that you want the $500 back AND the second photographer. Tell them that you see the price difference in packages as $1100. As such, you should be entitled to all of that money back.

But, since you want the 2nd photographer (for more pictures, of course!) and THEY are not able to provide you with a photographer of YOUR choosing, you want a 50% refund from the $1100 upgrade...