Why do vendors ask you what your budget is?

My fiance and I have had 2 photographers and a travel agent ask us what our budget was ( after we heard there prices). We both found this to be rude and none of there business. I don't see how them knowing how much we are willing to spend will benifit us. if our budget is lower than there prices would they lower there prices for us ? If not then i think they should mind there own business. we are smart enough to know if someone can fit into our budget! As you can tell this really annoyed me and left a bad taste in my mouth towards these vendors. does anyone have any suggestions on a polite( we have already come up with a few impolite ones) way to say that's not your business? I think if one more vendor says that to me I'm going say things i shouldn't and walk out. Thank you in advance!!

Oct1203,

Just wanted to asnwer your question. Maybe something went wrong with your original post, it was only the header before, just now I'm seeing the body of the post.
Anyhow , I think that Music by Michael answered it very well. Couldn't of said it better myself Michael !

Happy Planning !

Dennis Carrion
Dr. Dance Entertainment
Our Web Site

but i think you should tell me about all your packages and what you can offer me and let me decide what i can afford, not the other way around! I think we are able to narrow down our own options, not have someone else do it for us! it just sends out signals to me that the vendor feels like we are wasting his time. but thank you for your input!

I think that is the most rudest question anyone can ask!
IT's no one's business! All packages, prices, etc. should be explained.....at all times!

It reminds me of the scene from PRETTY WOMAN, where she goes into the boutique with tons of money, and they tell her everything is expensive here for her.

I, as a vendor, never ask that question. It's none of my business! OH! You touched a sore subject with me.
I best get off now!
You are right, though!!!

Good Luck,

Marie
WILD ROSE VIDEO

I only ask to get a feel of where to focus the kind of package i would suggest. I don't judge the answer, but rather use it to make sure not to suggest something that would be innappropriate. I only want to suggest what is most appropriate for the people i'm working with. There is a difference in my packages based on what is most important to my customers. Budget is one factor, just as artistic sensibility is another. A creative design artist might choose a different level of photographer and focus their whole package differently then someone who simply likes the work from our studio and wants basic coverage.

I attend to each level with the same consideration of providing the best services available, but based on what they would appreciate the most. Budget is just one factor in designing a package and I want to be considerate of what is important to my customers.

To address your question... How do I politely let a vendor know that a question about budget is none of their business?

Your response may be... 'Well, I haven't really thought about how much I am willing to budget for my entertainment. Why not review for me all that you offer and I'll determine which package may be the best value for my dollar?

Good luck!

Michael
http://www.musicbymichael.com

Oct1203,

Just wanted to asnwer your question. Maybe something went wrong with your original post, it was only the header before, just now I'm seeing the body of the post.
Anyhow , I think that Music by Michael answered it very well. Couldn't of said it better myself Michael !

Happy Planning !

Dennis Carrion
Dr. Dance Entertainment
Company Web Site

Thank you Michael!! The next time someone asks us that, we will use your response!

For Mark Kaufman-I think it would be more beneficial to your client (and probably you too) if you let them figure out what is inappropriate for themselves. I'm sure your clients can read a piece of paper and do the math themselves. This is just a suggestion to consider, as you run the risk of offending potential clients by asking such a question.

To Wildrose - Thank you for your input! Glad to know that that there are others who share our view point.

Looking at this from another direction- asking a client about the budget factor at the beginning of a meeting limits the options not only for the client but also for the person making the presentaion.They may unintentionally leave out information that a bride will need and also find useful. Many times brides meet with me with one idea and after I present many different options -they choose a different direction with a different 'budget' in mind. I am not saying higher or lower budget-just a different budget.This approach gives the bride the freedom to customize or enhance what is important to her and eliminate or diminish the less important aspects. The magic of a successful wedding is - in a large part- the result of the growth of the trust and confidence the bride has in a vendor- which is established at their first meeting or first conversation. First impressions are critical.
I agree with Oct 1203 that it is up to the client to make the decision on what they want or do not want. The clients are seeking our advise based on our track records as professionals - not our pre disposition on what the client should or should not do or should or should not have. This is strictly my personal opinion and business policy. I am not speaking for any other vendors or making any comments or judgements on other vendor policies.
STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
Featured in BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE
January 2003 issue Stan Wiest Music Website Stan Wiest Email

What I generally do is go over all the options FIRST, and then casually ask the question so that it doesn't seem as if I'm trying to sell something innapropriate. Most of the time I go right to the most popular intermediate package. If they say right off the bat that budget is the most important, I start right away with the least expensive options.

Most people actually answer with 'we're not really set and want to explore the options.' Other people say that photography is the most important and they want the best they can afford. And still others say that they are comparing to what the others are offering. Some are very artistic, while others simply like the style from our studio.

All of this is simply info to help design the best and most appropriate package. Just as when I ask what they do for a living. Some people I might advise to include a particular artistic candid photographer while others I'll suggest a particular main photographer. Everyone is different with their own particular preferences and it helps to work with all of that information.

I sure don't mean to offend anyone or limit them in any way. Everyone has different priorities and preferences (and limitations) and it helps to know what those factors might be.

As a bride I know that before I met with all of my main vendors- photographer, video, band- I asked them what their price ranges were. I like to know what the ranges are BEFORE meeting with a vendor so that I am not upset over not being able to afford something I really want.
I think when you meet with a music company they need to know what your price range is. It is unfair to show a bride with a $3K budget an $8K band. And the same goes for all of the other vendors especially gowns! The worst thing is to try on a gown that you fall in love with only to find out it is thousands more than you could ever afford.
You do not have to share the information. I was never offended by the question.

I can certainly see your point that your budget is not the concern of the company seeking to earn your business. However as a travel agent we try to avoid asking directly 'what is your budget' as this does seem tacky.

Perhaps instead of ' what is your budget' I might inquire 'do you have a specific destination in mind?' If a person answers Tahiti vs. Montauk I now have a place to start. Usually the first answers are vague such as 'someplace warm' or 'Somewhere exotic' but after an honest and open exchange of information we can arrive at a few great choices for the client without having to resort to the dreaded 'budget' question. It may seem like the long way around but with some tact We manage to find out what our clients want and aprox how much they want it to cost. After all Mr and Mrs Trump may want to sail a six star cruise such as SilverSea or Crystal and a couple like us are more comfortable on Celebrety or Princess.

Although that question seems rude and it is none of their business, a vendor can and I think most do ask the right questions and get the information they need. After all they need it to help their clients find the right products at the best price.

Again I do agree with you, your budget is not our business, Our business is offering the best possible choices at the best possible prices. It can help to narrow down some of the options if you can provide some ideas as to what you want.

Thanks
Dawn
[email protected]

In defense of Mark K. and other vendors I am using - I received a price list with all packages explained before we met, so I knew ahead of time what to expect.

Also, given my budget and my individuality, Mark was able to personalize one of his packages to meet my needs.

Just a sidebar - both Mark K. and Wild Rose gave my FH and I time alone to discuss our options - we did not feel pressured.

SEE WE DID FEEL PRESSURED BECAUSE HE KEPT TELLING US (ABOUT 3 TIMES) IF WE PUT A DEPOSIT DOWN TONIGHT WE WOULD GET A BONUS. MY FH AND I FOUND HIM TO BE VERY PUSHY. I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY I SHOULD FEEL PRESSURED INTO PUTTING DOWN A DEPOSIT IF I'M NOT SURE. IF HE WOULD HAVE ENDED UP BEING BOOKED THEN I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS MEANT TO BE AND WENT TO MY SECOND CHOICE. BOTTOM LINE- HE WAS A NICE MAN BUT WASN'T FOR US. I DON'T MEAN IT TO SOUND AS IF I'M ATTACKING HIM -SORRY IF IT DOES!

I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW I'M VERY HAPPY FOR ALL YOU GIRLS THAT LOVE HIM ( REALLY I AM) HE JUST WASN'T MEANT FOR ME -IMAGINE STUDIOS WERE MORE MY TYPE. TO EACH HIS OWN!

My only advice is that any time you feel pressured by a vendor walk out (which is what you did )

Good luck!

Don't know how i missed this one.

I agree - if you feel pressured by ANY vendor - walk away. There is nothing so urgent that it must be done THIS MINUTE. Even if you didn't feel pressure, you should always find a vendor that you really respect and like. Otherwise youre setting yourself up for diaster.

Like Vandep, Mark gave me and my FH time to discuss if we wanted to leave a deposit. He also told us (and wrote in our contract) that the deposit was refundable if we changed our minds before 90 days.

As for asking your budget - when anyone (wedding vendor, real estate agent, car salesman) asks me what I would like to spend I always say 'I would like to spend nothing. What do you charge?'

But in other circumstances, Ive come to vendors with my budget and asked what they could do for that money (my florist for example).

thanks michele31! I didn't know-I can just see it better if i write in all caps. Time for new glasses
I hope i didn't offend anyone

RE:Sonicstef-thanks for the advice!

It's funny when I asked him how long it was refundable he said 2-3 weeks. Maybe we just caught him on an off night.