Increase in Prices

That seems like WAY too big of a price increase. Have you price checked with other florists? I would look for quotes from other florists for the same flowers. If other florists aren't that big of an increase, I would bring those price quotes back to your current florist and try to negotiate the price. Otherwise, I would switch to a cheaper florist.

Increases are to be expected will all vendors, but a 45% increase is a bit outrageous in my opinion. Are you stuck with this florist or can you switch? That’s such a dramatic increase that something doesn’t seem right...

View Quoted Comment Yes I’ve checked out other florists and they’re pretty much in line with what I was first quoted, maybe 10% more but definitely not 45%.

View Quoted Comment I’ve already paid a deposit, we changed venues and went with one a bit further away but wanting to be fair I offered to collect the flowers and even reduced the number of table arrangements as we now have a smaller wedding, but agreed to keep the price I had originally been quoted. It’s just left me feeling a little uncomfortable towards this person now especially as I thought I was being helpful!!

View Quoted Comment I would bring those price quotes to your current florist if you're not able to switch florists, and see if they will negotiate. Otherwise, if you're able to switch, I would switch to a different florist. I personally wouldn't feel that I can trust the current florist if they're raising their prices that much. Around 10% seems to be about the max of what I would expect for rate increases. 45% is just ridiculous.

View Quoted Comment So you reduced the work she has to do but didn’t request a lesser price and she is now telling you it’s going to be 45% more? That’s crazy. I agree with PP, take the quotes from the other florists and show her how out of the norm she is and remind her that you have reduced the amount of work she is doing for the same agreed upon price. A price increase is really unacceptable.

That’s absolutely ridiculous! 45%?!?! Less work & more money? I agree with the others-print off the other quotes & take it to her.

That sounds super scammy. My guess is the florist lost a lot of jobs due to Covid and is trying to pawn off the costs on current and future jobs and hiding it by saying it's the price of flowers that has increased. And with you lowering the amount of work and they are still trying to charge you more, very unprofessional. I agree with pp that you should show off some of the other quotes to call her out AND get out if you can. I would be worried about this unprofessionalism getting out of hand and then you'll have unnecessary stress on your big day.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for your replies I’m glad it’s not just me that thinks it’s unreasonable and yes I agree about showing her the other quotes but it’s a shame it has now spoilt my relationship with an important vendor.

Annual price increases are common in the industry, however you should refer to the terms and conditions as to what the florist’s entitlements were to increase their prices and whether there is a cap on how much they can increase their prices. If they are in fact entitled to at their discretion without limitation, I would reach out to the florist and explain that you cannot agree to such a significant increase.

At the end of the day, even if you lose your deposit, it may be cheaper to go with another florist. If you’d be willing to do so, tell your florist this and see whether they are willing to waive the increase or otherwise reduce it to a more reasonable figure.

Oh wow! That’s a lot. The only thing our existing florist did was raise her deposit amount, but she said since we’re existing clients that we do not have to pay any more.

View Quoted Comment That seems a whole lot fairer to me. I did end up cancelling the whole thing as I felt like I had tried to be fair and accommodating. I had even suggested taking off the 10 center pieces since I could get them done by the hotel but keep the quote at the original cost, i.e now paying the same for less flowers. She took them off but still charged me more and she had added in a design fee which was not on my original quote. After I questioned this again she begrudging lowered the price to my original quote but minus the centerpieces and although that’s what I had originally offered by now I was beginning to feel that I had lost all trust and would not be confident that she would increase her prices again or give me a good service hence I cancelled and no doubt will lose my deposit but gain peace of mind with someone more professional. Such a shame that people take advantage.

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That’s terrible, at least you can move on from this and hopefully find a decent honest florist to work with. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much I hope so too!