Vendor Reference Checks, annoying?

Most good vendors rely on testimonials, not references. However, I'd gladly vouch for any of my vendors that did a good job, or fill a bride in on one of the bad ones. I don't see that as any trouble at all to help save a bride a lot of grief, or make her day great.

I have been asked called before as a reference, but for a vendor that was not related to a wedding. I personally didn't mind, because I know that I appreciate hearing directly from a real life person (not internet testimonials) about a vendor, because it seems more real that way.

Also, I work in an industry where we have to call references on a regular basis. You would be SURPRISED at how candid people will be. It's only you and them on the phone, and a good majority of them will tell you things that the applicant clearly didn't want you to know.

Since I make phone calls alot at work, it's no biggie for me to call a reference and ask questions. I'd definitely do it.

I think references and testimonials are critical. The problem with online reviews in general is that they're unreliable. So I would also be happy to provide future brides with my opinions on vendors.

I actually contacted one person through WW and she added some things that she didn't post in her review. it was really valuable to me.

I don't ask my former clients to vouch for me; I have 130 reviews here, and I'm completely glad that those clients reviewed me. That seems to be enough for my potential couples....

Most brides don't mind.... if they agree to be a reference, I also use parents as references. If you would like to know if the couple is real, look at the portfolio and ask specific questions related to that wedding. Do your research but quality is more important than quantity.

If I were contacted ahead of time and given the choice as to whether my name and # would be provided to a vendor's potential client, I'd be okay with the request and in many cases would say okay. If my information was given out without my consent, I'd be extremely peeved. My review to a "surprise" call might be, "I would have said I was happy but I'm furious that s/he gave you my # without my consent!"

I would never, ever give out my couples' numbers without their consent. That's just dangerous and crazy.

I would agree to sharing my email that I keep exactly for such purposes. I'm working with one company that has 3 young ladies who are relatively new in wedding business. So far they have been awesome. If it continues being the case, I would be happy to help them get more business. And as J&R said, I would only be extremely peeved if they shared it without my consent.

Hmm, I suppose giving out my e-mail is okay then, if I really liked a vendor. I would definitely give them a good review online if I liked them. I'm just not to keen on phone calls from strangers.

My concern is not so much vendors giving out my information without consent, but I wonder if I would consent to giving out my information.

Celia, I think it's awesome that you have so many positive reviews. I would only be concerned if you had some negative ones, and even then I'd have to consider the personality of the bride (are they just an evil, vindictive person?).

I've never selected a vendor with bad reviews (including sellers on Amazon.com), and so far, none of them have let me done, so suffice to say, I can pretty much rely on online reviews.

I love my couples, lol....that being said, what I do is so controllable; they see the script, they've seen me, they know my personality, and they know I'm going to show up. There isn't a lot left up to chance (as with a florist or a photographer), and if there is anything about the ceremony that my couple doesn't like, out it goes.

But you're right; every bride has a different take on what should or should not have happened on their day, and sometimes an innocent miscommunication can result in someone who is very disappointed on their day. It's a good idea to see, overall, what the reviews say about the vendor. For instance, maybe everything that was done together was fantastic on the day, but a lack of communication made it nerve wracking for the couple. That's a great thing to know and something that is easy to avoid by putting it right on the table. It's also something that you would want to tell a potential client who might contact you.

I have found out that many times other vendors can give the worse and best reviews! Sometimes i have had many of my brides come in because they chose a venue that i was on there venues refferal List. I have also taken vendors off my list of refferal because of what brides tell me!! If a company boost that there top notch then they will only deal with top notch company!! But I do ask my brides to write a letter with there email adress and name on it and have it in a book for all to look at so that way someone who wants to find out more about me can contact them though email and not bother them with phone calls!! But always always check your vendor out dont relay on what yahoo. google. and etc say do your leg work check them out you only want the best!

Honestly, you can't rely solely on reviews. When someone (liek Celia) has 130 reviews- that's a safe bet that they are good. But there are vendors (on this very site) that create fake accounts and write their own reviews.

I'd recommend checking out vendor reveiws on any site you can- WW, theknot.com, Yelp.com and do a Google search for them. I'd also suggest making sure they don't have any complaints with the BBB.

Any vendor worth their salt will have testimonials. Photographers will have portfolios. Caterers will have tastings. Floral designers will have pictures of work, and MUA/hairstylists will have trials.

But trust your gut. If you question a vendor, then find another one.

I wouldn't base my decision on calling people. Vendors are not going to give out the info to a reference that had a bad experience. I find it valuable looking at reviews online on many different sites to gain a feel for the vendor. Also I have been able to check out vendors just by going to random events in town. Several times over the summer I have tried a few vendors (caterers) just because they were working an event. Of course the food it totally different, but it gave me a feel for how they do business.

I don’t think so that there can be any kind of bothersome to previous brides to give testimonial about vendors.................I personally don’t feel any.............But It is also true that vendors can easily give some fake people names for their reference check.............

Its better to check BBB reviews to find out about any legal case or complaint against them...........