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XP: Bargaining with florist
Flowers
XP: Bargaining with florist
Get flower ideas for color, budget, season, and more.
We have a florist and have sent in a deposit, etc. When we met, FI and I were undecided about the exact centerpieces we wanted so she gave us several options and said we don't need to decide until 3 w
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Flowers
XP: Bargaining with florist
Get flower ideas for color, budget, season, and more.
We have a florist and have sent in a deposit, etc. When we met, FI and I were undecided about the exact centerpieces we wanted so she gave us several options and said we don't need to decide until 3 w
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Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:28
Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:28Discussion:77315c63-12a6-4ab1-8d42-936e9a81740a
Forums  >  Special Topic Wedding Boards  >  Flowers  >  XP: Bargaining with florist
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XP: Bargaining with florist

posted at 2/11/2012 8:27 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
07-05-2010
BALTIMORE
9947139191139473
Posts: 187
First: 8/7/2010

Last: 4/3/2012


We have a florist and have sent in a deposit, etc. When we met, FI and I were undecided about the exact centerpieces we wanted so she gave us several options and said we don't need to decide until 3 weeks prior to the wedding. Our second payment is due next week, so I'm starting to think about things more...

The option for centerpiece that we like most is $40 each, which doesn't sound so bad, but all it is are light blue hydrangeas and 3 mini-sunflowers. We're supplying the bowls, so the cost is the assembly and the flowers themselves. Deliery and set-up is a separate cost, so that is not factored into this price.

Here's my thing.. when we first met at her shop, she had several full vases of light blue hydrangeas set up all over the office. She made a comment about over-ordering for a prior wedding and these were all the extras.

She is definitely the most reasonable florist around my area (we met with 4) and she beat them all out by a few hundred dollars in the end. I'm just worried by getting these blue hydrangeas, we will be decorating her office. Is it appropriate to use this as a bargaining tactic to try to lower the price by $5-10/centerpiece? If so, how would you tactfully phrase this to her?

Re: XP: Bargaining with florist

posted at 2/11/2012 10:29 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
02-20-2011
UPSTATE NEW YORK
9201338003497521
Posts: 1341
First: 3/15/2011

Last: 5/24/2012


Unfortunately if the contract is signed and the deposit is in, your recourse is very limited.

The area you live in may affect the price; also, if the florist beat the others by hundreds, it definitely may mean you are getting the best bang for your buck.

If you aren't sure, then you could do some more research and be ready to surrender your deposit. $40 per centerpiece, especially for hyndrangeas is not that bad and if you really want to save some money, consider a DIY project.

However, you should not expect the florist to change her prices after you agreed to them and paid a deposit.
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Re: XP: Bargaining with florist

posted at 2/11/2012 2:02 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
10-08-2003
GRAND RAPIDS
448815812509271
Posts: 567
First: 2/24/2011

Last: 5/13/2012


So because she over ordered for another wedding you want a price cut for your?  I don't think that makes any sense. 

Re: XP: Bargaining with florist

posted at 2/11/2012 6:52 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
03-05-2006
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
63787375007396
Posts: 223
First: 7/31/2009

Last: 5/23/2012


Just because she over ordered does not mean that the bride for that wedding paid for those Hydrangea.  You are wrong and off base to assume that she charged that bride for Hydrangea that were not in her wedding.  

Not sure why you would assume this or where you got the idea but you are being very cheeky. I would even go as far as saying you are questioning her integrity by implying she charged someone for something they never received.

  She is ordering, designing, picking up, processing and putting the flowers together.   In addition she spent time with you to come up with a plan. 
And then you also picked Hydrangea which is fairly expensive. 
If you think you are going to get her to lower the price by approaching her this way, not only will she say no,  I guarantee you will get less where she would have given more. 
If you want to get less then go ahead and insult her before she does your flowers. 
I am not saying she won't follow the contract and give you what she said because she will do so to a T.  You just won't get anything extra where she could have done or given more.
This is a lame way to negotiate and you send the message to her that you don't  respect her, what she does, or her time.  Maybe you could just tell her outright that you don't care if she has to take a loss, you want those flowers $5 cheaper and don't care who you have to walk over to get it. That may seem harsh but that is how you will come off.

A better way to approach this would be to ask her how you could get that arrangement that, "you fell in love with" and "so excited about" for $5 per table less.  Maybe you could switch from Sunflowers to yellow Daisy mums. Maybe you could go from 3 Sunflowers to 1 Sunflower per centerpiece and so on......
If you want to save money on delivery you could see if a friend can pick up the flowers and deliver them for you. 
Just talk to her nicely and comlimentary about this.  You have a problem( need cheaper $), it's her job to solve it. Be decent about it and let her do her job=
Make her like you! Make her want to help solve your problem and you will get more.




Re: XP: Bargaining with florist

posted at 2/12/2012 10:37 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
07-05-2010
BALTIMORE
9947139191139473
Posts: 187
First: 8/7/2010

Last: 4/3/2012


So I emailed my florist, and she is willing to do something different, even though contract is signed. Never hurts to ask!

And pgcp - I don't necessarily want a pricecut, I just want to ensure that I am paying for the appropriate amount of flowers.

Re: XP: Bargaining with florist

posted at 2/16/2012 12:03 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
02-09-2009
MONTANA
9782697741775473
Posts: 211
First: 7/5/2011

Last: 5/16/2012


I think that is a legitimate concern.  I have done this before, but not shared it with clients.  However hydrangeas sometimes come in bunches of 5 and some in bunches of 10.  She may have ordered "by the bunch" and recieved wayyyy too many.  It was worth asking

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