XP: Bargaining with florist

laurmd

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?

melntaitt

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.

pgcp

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

laurmd

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.

kmclean29

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