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Savvy May 2020

Would you consider less than stellar communication from a vendor a red flag?

Chelsea, on July 25, 2019 at 11:17 AM Posted in Planning 0 24

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Im gathering quotes for florals and I’m on a very tight budget. Luckily, we’re getting married outdoors so I’m mostly letting nature speak for itself and I’m going very minimalist with the reception and wedding party florals. That being said, I still want to try to get the best deal possible and have reached out to probably a dozen or so local florists/decor companies.

Some companies I never heard back from which is very frustrating in itself... but overall I’ve received 4 quotes that are almost within budget. The first company has been super responsive but they’re still over budget even after negotiating. The other 3 had cheaper initial quotes but it’s like pulling teeth trying to get responses from them after the initial quote. One of them hasn’t responded in over 3 weeks... the other ones responses are a week or so between and come after I follow up with them.

Should I just bite the bullet and go with the first vendor despite the budget issue since they have been super communicative? Or is it totally normal to have to constantly follow up with vendors (especially since it’s wedding season)?

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24 Comments

Latest activity by JJAF, on July 26, 2019 at 8:22 AM

Legend June 2019
Melle · on July 25, 2019 at 11:19 AM
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It's normal to have to constantly follow up with vendors but it's frustrating sometimes so I can see your apprehension with going with ones that aren't responsive
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 25, 2019 at 11:20 AM
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Probably, if your overall budget allows. Cheaper vendors are cheap for a reason, usually they lack customer service.
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Savvy May 2020
Chelsea · on July 25, 2019 at 11:30 AM
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Well I’m glad to hear it’s not just me. Super frustrating because if I’m about to drop thousands of dollars on something you’d think I would be able to get an email response sooner than 2 weeks
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Savvy May 2020
Chelsea · on July 25, 2019 at 11:31 AM
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It’s weird though, one of the most expensive ones that I nixed completely even took forever getting back to me.
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Master June 2019
Danielle · on July 25, 2019 at 11:31 AM
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The cheaper vendors are cheaper because they are smaller businesses. Therefore, they probably don't have a lot of workers, so they stay really busy keeping up with everyone's orders. Especially during wedding season. That is why they are less responsive. How have you been trying to communicate with them? Email only? If so, I would visit in person or call. That can help speed up communications. Either way, you should pick the vendor you feel most comfortable with. Good luck!
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Master August 2019
Allie · on July 25, 2019 at 11:32 AM
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What exactly did you say to them? Did you ask about pricing up front? Some of the more expensive ones won't get back to you if you act concerned about the price first thing.
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Master September 2020
Jessica · on July 25, 2019 at 11:49 AM
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It’s definitely frustrating as a bride trying to plan, but having worked for a couple different family businesses including a flower shop I try to be understanding about the fact that they are really busy. People who are obviously just looking for quotes aren’t nearly as much of a priority as pending orders and those who have signed contracts. With flowers, if at all possible, I think it’s best to visit in person- you can get a feel for the shop and their work, and you’re likely to get better answers since you’re obviously more likely to actually hire them. At the flower shop, we would get SO many price inquiries by e-mail, walk-ins were always first priority. You have to go with what makes you most comfortable! Good luck!
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Savvy May 2020
Chelsea · on July 25, 2019 at 12:08 PM
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That’s a good point! I’m planning a destination wedding (I live in FL and wedding is in Canada) so most of my communication with vendors has been via email!
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Savvy May 2020
Chelsea · on July 25, 2019 at 12:10 PM
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Thank you for that perspective, that helps a lot! I don’t want to enter into bridezilla territory and I try to be respectful of all the vendors I come across, my excitement definitely gets the best of me though when I’m constantly refreshing my email hoping for responses haha. I really wish I could visit with all my vendors in person, that would make everything a lot easier for sure, but unfortunately I’m planning from another country!
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VIP April 2021
Alisha · on July 25, 2019 at 12:10 PM
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If your budget allows you to go a little over then I would go with the vendor who is in communication with you. I like to go with the vendor who at least trying to commute and work with me on a budget. That is good business and it tells a lot about the vendor. If you feel uncomfortable about a vendor then your best bet is not to go with them.
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Master September 2020
Jessica · on July 25, 2019 at 12:23 PM
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That definitely makes it hard! I’m planning a wedding 2.5 hours away and it has been a pain at times! Good luck, trust your instincts!
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Master October 2019
Jolie · on July 25, 2019 at 12:56 PM
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I got lucky planning my wedding in the off season over winter so everyone was super responsive. You're unfortunately in wedding season so it will take quite some time. It can help to set up a phone call to go over your vision and flower choices. All I can say is yes, it's because it's wedding season and they are busy. You can reach out to other vendors in the mean time.
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Master December 2019
Courtney · on July 25, 2019 at 4:11 PM
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I would use the lack of communication from the others to your advantage. Let the first florist know that you really want to use them but they're out of budget. The others have competitive rates but their lack of communication puts you off. If they match or beat, sign with them and move on from the rest.
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Devoted September 2020
Anna · on July 25, 2019 at 4:26 PM
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Tough call. In my personal planning experience, if someone was super responsive that was like already +5 brownie points for them. If you are going to be strict on your budget with no room for leniency then go with the censors in budget and be patient and send lots of follow ups and asks a lot of questions to make bulkier emails so it limits the amount of back and forth.
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Super August 2019
Stephanie · on July 25, 2019 at 4:32 PM
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That depends honestly. I could understand how it’s a red flag, as I had a similar concern with my caterer when we first started talking. I was really worried because it often took weeks to get any sort of response from him! I was persistent, because he was by far the cheapest option, and I’m on a tight budget too. my persistence and patience paid off because it turns out that not only is he a super nice guy and has since been really accommodating, but he by far had the best food we tasted! So it paid off! So it’s worth continuing to investigate I’d you have the time! You never know!
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Super September 2021
Sharon · on July 25, 2019 at 4:43 PM
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It's a red flag in my book. If they're like this when they're trying to get your money what will they be like once you pay a deposit? Doesn't necessarily mean they won't do a good job but do you want to have to chase them down all time? If it takes them a few days to get back to you that's reasonable but if it's a few weeks I'd think twice about it. I totally understand a budget but cheaper isn't always better. You get what you pay for.
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on July 25, 2019 at 4:54 PM
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If you can swing it, I’d go with the more expensive one that is responsive. I’d rather pay more but have the piece of mind in knowing I’ll always be able to get ahold of someone. Maybe you could cut back somewhere else in your budget to help with the floral budget? I know, personally, I hired no one who took longer than 2-3 days to respond to me.
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January 2019
MOB So Cal · on July 25, 2019 at 11:26 PM
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The only vendor daughter had trouble with the week of the wedding was the same one who was terrible about communication at the very beginning of the process. Did she do a good job (HMUA)? Yes, but she stressed daughter out every time she needed to communicate with her. If that's going to bother you, then walk away. When people show us who they are, we need to believe them, and then either accept them for who they are or walk away.
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Dedicated June 2021
Fredrecia · on July 25, 2019 at 11:31 PM
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It's a red flag to me. if they're not responding to you now that's how they will be the entire time.
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Master September 2019
Colleen · on July 25, 2019 at 11:36 PM
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I am just doing all fake flowers pre made from Etsy. I saved about a thousand this way.
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