Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack

When I initially met with our florist, our consultant based the number of centerpieces we would need on our minimum, which is 100. He quoted us for 8 centerpieces because I would have some tables of 13 along with the tables of 10. This was back in November. I didn't question it because I figured he knew what he was doing.

Fast forward to today. I went to the florist today to make some changes to the flowers we are going to use for our centerpieces. She asked me how many guests I was expecting and I said anywhere around 115-120. She then looked at the contract and told me off the bat I would need more centerpieces and upped our number to 13 centerpieces. She said to me that she always tells her brides to overshoot the number because it's always better to have to take away centerpieces instead of adding, which makes perfect sense. She said she has no idea why our original consultant made our contract based on our minimum but she intimated that he was fired from the company for similar practices.

So no we're in a position where we literally have to pay for someone's mess up. In addition, had he done the right thing and based our quote on the number of people we were expecting, we would've been eligible for a discount based on the amount of money we spent. We did get a discount for what I thought was due to the fact we were a personal referral (who knows now)but now that we are adding centerpieces we would have been eligible for a discount based on volume. Now I'll never ever have the full picture of what we would have been paying based on the full set of facts.

I probably should have been more forceful and told him that we would need 10 centerpieces instead of 8, but he insisted that 8 was the correct number because we are going to have tables of 10 and 13. Why would I argue? I also feel that if you have an employee who was fired for routinely low-balling the numbers just so that customers had to pay more later on, you owe it to your clients to do the right thing.

Originally our new consultant said there was nothing she can do about re-working the contract or ensuring I could receive the benefit of the discount in light of the circumstances, but after I almost started crying in her office she said she would talk to her manager on Tuesday. I'm also going to talk to CHCC since this florist is one of their recommended vendors.

At the end of the day the discount will probably not amount to much, but we're looking at the possibility of spending an additional $500-$750 because of someone else's unethical behavior. I just feel that at the very least, considering the circumstances, we should get it.

I'm also mad at myself for not being more forceful but I trust this particular vendor more than anyone else and I feel tremendously let down and betrayed. Had we had all the information we were entitled to, I feel like we could have made a better educated decision and continued to shop around. I just feel really cheated.

I don' think there's anything else than can be done. We're kind of at their mercy at the moment so we'll have to pay whatever they tell us to pay. Feeling this helpless and taken advantage of is the worst part of this experience.

What do you guys think? I really don't know what else to do.

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack

It is there mistake and they should be held responsible - I am a CHCC bride too. What florist was it? U can private message me.
When I met with mine we said 10 centerpieces but we didn't talk about how many were at each table I ballparked it. I know I will prob need more liel 12

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

BE FORCEFUL. Put up a fight. Tell them you're on LIW, and are planning on writing a review for other brides after your wedding. And DEMAND that you not be held accountable for the unethical behavior of one of THEIR employees.

They should honor any discount you would have gotten if this employee had done HIS job right.

I am not one to draw attention to myself or complain, I worked in the service industry for 10 years. BUT, I'd make a scene. I would raise my voice, especially if there are other potential brides there.

Make sure you speak clearly and concisely. It seems, based on how you wrote your post, you can make your points well and not go off on tangents. Use that to your advantage. The more important you make yourself sound, the more important they'll think you are.

Reputation is everything to these vendors, so I'd make sure to tell them that you're an avid poster on LIW, and that your review will reflect not only final work, but also the work they did from the first meeting with them.

Good luck!!

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

Thanks ladies! I appreciate the advice.

Just to be clear, I'm more than willing to pay for any additional centerpieces I'm going to need - that's not an issue. But had the original consultant correctly used the number of people I was expecting instead of the minimum, I would only be looking at paying for two more centerpieces as opposed to five.

I totally agree reputation is everything. FH is a small business owner so I know businesses can live or die on referrals. I know this particular florist does a lot of high end business so maybe the measly $2K is not a lot of money for them, but it's a lot of money for me and forking over another $500-$750 two months before the wedding is a kick in the gut.

Re: Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack

---

Posted by sgf2

They should honor any discount you would have gotten if this employee had done HIS job right.

---

I agree with this 120%. It's not as if I'm refusing to pay for the extra centerpieces. All I'm asking is that they give me the benefit of the discount I would have been entitled to had their former employee done the right thing.

What set me off yesterday was the new consultant telling me that there's nothing that can be done. Excuse me?! So they admit that my previous consultant made a mistake, intimated he did this to other brides, yet I have to pay for it?!

Thank God my mom was there because I was on the verge of tears. I was so shocked that I couldn't even put a sentence together. Once the new consultant said with a straight face that nothing could be done, I thought my mom was going to flip the table. She's 67 years old and all of 5 feet tall, but don't mess with her! LOL

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

I would tell them you're not paying for any additional centerpieces to begin with. At least then you'll have room for negotiation.

If I was them, I'd eat the $500. If you're saying they're such a high volume florist, the $500-$750 is nothing in comparison to you writing a bad review and the business they may miss out on because of that.

When you do finally speak with them, I wanna hear what happens!! Good luck!

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

Damn, I think I know what florist your talking about. It sucks that they aren't able to give you the discount that you would have originally gotten if he did his job right.

Re: Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack

---

Posted by boridizzy

Damn, I think I know what florist your talking about. It sucks that they aren't able to give you the discount that you would have originally gotten if he did his job right.

---

They are a company that does millions of dollars in business every year. If they don't give her the discount, it's not because they AREN'T ABLE TO, it's because they DON'T WANT TO.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm a super huge pain in the neck, but I'd never settle for this florist not giving me something that I'd have gotten if they hadn't kept incompetent people employed.

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

I dont understand why they wont work with you on the price. It's not like they ordered the flowers already. Flowers get ordered a week or 2 before the wedding! It doesnt make any sense.

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

Get L-O-U-D!!!! They'd rather give you what you want than deal with bad reviews and constant calls. I personally would make it point to show up in person on a Saturday when they probably have a lot of consultations a d demand a manager

Really Upset and Need Advice - Grab a Drink and a Snack - Long Island Weddings

I agree with what everyone is saying here, you definitely should not be held accountable to pay the extra money. It was their mistake and since they have been in the business for so long they should know this and honor it.

You should tell them you will not pay for the centerpieces and like everyone said get loud. That is the least thing they want to happen.

If they will not budge at all, maybe see if there are any other corners you can cut. A discounted price on the centerpieces at the very least? Anything you ordered that may not be necessary that you can sub for the centerpiece?

I'm sorry this happened to you.