So I was working with someone at Stefans and had a good relationship and I really liked the guy. My FH and I went to see a sample and I liked it but I wanted the flowers to be more 'full,' so I expressed that. I wanted it in the contract so I can feel comfortable that we will be getting something beautiful for the wedding and we are about to put the deposit down.
But when I called the Florist back to just re-iterate that I wanted more flowers, he said that it was out of my 'budget' and that he 'can't make me happy,' and to go elsewhere. So when I was trying to 'appease' him, I said, 'Well I want to work with you and try to make it happy for both of us,' so I asked him how much it would be and he said it was 'MORE than my BUDGET,' and didn't even try to work with me to find a less expensive flower, or any alternatives. It seemed like such a shock to me when he said to me, 'it's better you find someone else!' And then he hung-up!!!
I was so upset after that because I thought he was a nice person and I really wanted to make it happen. I DID NOT think I was being unreasonable. I read that so many girls on Liweddings, always have a back and forth with the florist to ultimately get 'exactly; what you want. I felt like I did something wrong but in the end I became more pissed that their service was horrible. Even if I was being too demanding, as a vendor, you should NOT hang up on your customer. What makes it worse is that I basically have to go with them or another florist (ONLY 2 contracted with my RH), so I feel sooo stuck and frustrated. The other place quoted me an obscene amount and now I'm probably stuck with that one or making my own flowers....I'm just really upset right now. Most of all I'm upset with my RH for giving me no options to go with. I don't think I should have to feel this way, especially if I'm shelling out $$$. Maybe my account wasn't big enough for them to find important, but I just couldn't believe that they acted that way. It was like a total 180 from the person I had been talking to before.
I don't know how to feel right now.l I guess I'm back to square one. I think I'm just going to make my own flowers at this point!!! Anyone has ever had such customer service issues????Am I being unreasonable> I'm a nice person. I don't think I was yelling or confronting him. I just wanted my vision to come to life!
GinaZ
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Why can't you go with a non- recommended florist outside the hall? Are you really only allowed to choose from the two? Def speak to your hall and tell them your situation. Im sure they wont be happy that one of their brides is being treated this way- especially if they are in a contract with them!
HappyPlanner
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
I spoke to the hall and they said 'I HAVE To work with either one of the two florists.' So I'm stuck.
It's really annoying..
They have a contract...and if I break the contract I have to pay $$$$.
SANDYROODY
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
That really *****.
MissAngel
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Posted by HappyPlanner
What upsets me is that vendors is trying to take advantage that this is one of the most important days of our lives and banking on the fact that we rely on them...but that doesnt mean you treat ppl like crap!!!!!:
I 100% agree! I am so, sooo sorry that your RH treating you like this when they should be supporting you instead. I cannot believe that they called you demanding; based on your post, simply asking to see a second CP is NOT unreasonable at all!! Can you maybe go for a non-floral CP instead to bypass both florists? We ordered beautiful fall themed CPs from surroundings.com that our guests went crazy over. Maybe (if your heart isn't too set on flowers) you can do something like that & have the hall set them up instead? Good luck
HappyPlanner
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Actually i saw a 2nd sample (which the person seemed happy to show me. he NEVER expressed that people only see one sample and that was it. ) and when I wasn't entirely happy with the 2nd sample, I called the next day and said that is there a 'possibility' to see another sample. I asked in a 'nice voice and wasn't even confrontational.; Instead i got a 180 attitude from the person which shocked me. I actually think he probably got pressure from his crazy boss and his boss gave him a hard time about my account.
I actually don't have hard feelings towards him, cuz in all honesty i think he's a good guy. i just think his boss probably told him to drop us, because we asked to see samples (god forbid!) That's when i got the attitude and the 'go find your business elsewhere attitude.'
So when I talked to the reception hall today, they implied that I was asking for 'too much.' and that pissed me off because all i did was ask. I asked like a normal person with manners. If you had a problem with that, all you can say is 'sorry two samples is the maximum' It's about common decency and principle. As a vendor, if that is too much to ask for, then you work it out and communicate that and that was what I was most upset with. Also as a vendor I'm the paying customer, you don't make THEM feel bad. All I kept hearing is ' oh that guy you dealt with is SOOO nice, I can't believe he did that.' THey made me feel like I was the one in the wrong. And I KNOW I didn't do anything cuz I keep replaying it in my mind. I'm the type of person who is VERY considerate of people's feelings and for me to even call the vendor and express how I felt took a lot of energy out of me. I usually just try to suck it up and let it pass.
So long story short, I'm DEFINITEly considering doing my OWN centerpieces to not have to deal with this ...i
sds
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Hi, by the way did you ever speak to any of the bosses - Michael or Tito. They might not have a clue as to what is happening. If you didn't I would speak to Michael. Good luck.
Also try to make an appt. with Maddy at S& P. Good Luck
DavaDay
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
I went to a wedding 2 weeks ago and the centerpices were all candles in beautful bowls with mirrors underneath and votives on the side... it was GORGEOUS and not one person noticed the absence of flowers. If anything those of us with allergies appreciated it!
PeterNina Mom
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Posted by HappyPlanner
So I spoke to the RH and they didn't make me feel better. They said I was the demanding one, saying that I asked for TOO many sample centerpieces. First of all when we went the 1st time, it was not our vision of what we wanted. So the person offered to make a 2nd one. He did not say in the 2nd meeting that I cannot have a 2nd sample. He seemed fine about it.
If I expressed that I wanted some slight changes in the final centerpiece, what is wrong with that? If I couldnt have another sample, express it like a normal professional person. There is no need to hang up on me and be rude. Anyways I know the RH is on their side saying that 'THEY ARE SO NICE and this RARELY HAPPENS' Yeah right. So I retorted 'Well I'm a nice PERSON and I don't deserve to be treated this way. I work in a professional field and IVE NEVER hung UP on a customer IN MY LIFE.'
So the funny thing is the RH had the nerve to say to me, ' The owner of Stefans doesn't want to work with ME.' HAHHAAH. that is the funniest thing I heard all day. I said to him, 'Sorry but you think I want to work with THEM?'
I honestly think it's cuz my account isn't worth it to them, so it's easy for them to drop me. I told the RH that I'm not happy and that I was excited at the florist thing, and now i'm just upset and stressed out by it...and it shouldn't be this way if I CAN USE MY OWN VENDOR!!!
I really felt like crying cuz I'm so frustrated...and the worst was they made me feel worse like it was MY fault.
This is a terrible situation given the fact that you are only allowed to use those two vendors. Write a letter to the NYC Dept. of Consumer affairs and to the Attorney General's office (the attorney general has complaint forms online for you to fill out) and tell them your story with Stefans and also add the fact that your RH will only allow you to use the two florist they recommend regardless of insurance. They may be able to help. P.S. The attorney general has helped me twice get money back from two big vendors one being a major department store (just recently) and the other being a RH when I remarried ten years ago. Good luck and try to have a Happy Thanksgiving.
sds
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
I know it is unfair and I too wanted to go somewhere else but the reason those going to the Royalton have to use those 2 florists is because those florists but up a bond to redo the royalton a couple of years ago and so I guess this was the agreement. I know it is not fair but unfortunately when you use this RH that is what we have to agree with. I have seen a wedding with all different length candles and rose petals and it was beautiful. I would do that and get my personal flowers somewhere else.
HappyPlanner
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
So I'm meeting with Spitz and Peck next weekend. Hopefully it'll turn out better. I've been losing so much sleep over this!!!!
I'm still worried since I KNOW for a fact that S&P is pricey since I got a price quote from them 2 months ago. I'm not sure if this situation that I'm going through will make it better or worse.
I actually rather just get it over with this weekend so I can stop thinking about it..but alas it will have to wait. IN the meantime I will keep brainstorming alternatives to flowers!!!
Dee606
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
I am so sorry that you had to deal with all of this. I totally know where you are coming from. I know that if I had to plan a wedding all over again, I would not choose any venue that would limit my choices b/c there are just too many options out there for you not to be satisfied. you have FM
PauliesGirl
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
I ama royalton bride as well...and have heard nothing but bad things about stefans...
I would definitly talk to tito if you are having a problem, he has been very understand so far.
Soo sorry you are upset!
Abby2678
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
I too am a Royalton bride...Im so sorry to hear about your bad experience with Stefans....I chose to go the other direction and they will totally work with the budget you present them with....just work with maddy or bobby...they are great... may i ask who you chose for photography???
Lori91407
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Hi, I haven't been on in a while but I just saw your post.
I'm so sorry this is happening. We had a similar problem with that vendor too. We told Michael, he was nice and said 'they talked to the vendor' about our problems. Nothing came of it - but DH also said in anger that he will never go back there no matter what they say - so at that point we had to go to S&P. But fortunately we had a good experience across the street with Gary. And they weren't as pricey as Stefan's.
Good luck. In a few months it all won't seem as earth shattering and all you'll remember is a great wedding!
danibrwneyes
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
go to burtons... very reasonable and they did exactly what i wanted!
PeterNina Mom
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
Posted by HappyPlanner
What I found on the BBB:
New York BBB Reliability Report for STEFAN'S FLORIST
This is NOT a BBB Accredited business
This business has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB Customer ExperienceBack To Top Based on BBB files, this business has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau because it failed to respond to one or more complaints.
The company's size, volume of business, and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The number of complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.
BRING THIS REPORT TO YOU RH.TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY ARE NOT A REPUTABLE FLORIST.
JennysMOH
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Re: Worst service at STEFANS FLORIST-UPDATE
From what our RH told us, the RH that have the stipulation that you have to use their vendors is due to the fact that these vendors most of the time give a kickback to the RH. If this is the case for you it may mean that the RH will not do much to help you out. Sorry
