Food Truck Catering

Ro041

Hello Ladies!

I don't normally post on this Board, but I thought you may be able to help me.  One of our local Italian restaurants has a food truck that I want to cater our reception.  The restaurant has been around since 1985 and the food truck has been around the past two years or so.  They gave me a fantastic price, but when I asked where to sign and what kind of deposit they needed, the guy responded that they didn't need a deposit, and just needed to know what time to show up.  

Am I crazy to think this is odd?  Obviously, catering is such an important part of the reception that I want to make sure the truck shows up and feeds my friends!  Should I insist on a contract?  Should I insist on paying a deposit?  Thanks in advance!

staar987

You should insist on a contract. No contract is a deal breaker. The deposit is a little different. Our caterer didn't require one. We just had to pay in full the week of the wedding. We paid the day before since we were at the venue dropping things off. This may be different from other's experiences since our caterer was part of the venue. Get a contract for sure though.

itzMS

There should absolutely be a contract, and you should know what you're getting for your money in writing.

Ro041

I should clarify: the guy did submit a proposal in writing, which we accepted.  There was no signing after we accepted it.  (I also accepted it via email, so there is a paper trail where he sent the proposal and I emailed him back that we wanted to use the truck, asked about the deposit etc and he responded that it wasn't necessary).  I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to come off crazy if I insisted that we sign something!

ETA: Thanks for the responses.

NOLAbridealmost

You won't come off crazy; you'd come off savvy.