Bella, Please Help!!! Part 2

lashantabasey

As usual I need your assistance and opinions. I decided to post the emails between Bella and I so that those who view this post can judge for themselves.
Bella made a promise to me in order to get me to sign on with them. Now they are not honoring that promise.
 
Does this sound like a promise/guarentee? I don't typically let vendor off the hook when they are wrong, but I want to enjoy our day and the process of getting there. After reading this please advise of how you would  handle this. Do you think I should let it go or proceed with any actions necessary to resolve this problem?

Here is the email

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Jennifer Morgan <jennifer.morgan@bellapictures.com>
To: lashanta
Sent: Thu, January 28, 2010 10:32:50 PM
Subject: RE: Questions/LaShanta and Deon

Hi Lashanta,

I will do my best to answer your questions!

We have photographers all over California , so we will match you with someone local to your venue once your wedding gets closer, and your details are solidified.  Most places in California are covered but Catalina would have an extra charge as would Solvang, Palm Springs, etc.  Every other photographer would charge you extra as well, so that’s really a wash if you decide to have your wedding in an “outskirt” kind of area like that.

I’m so happy to hear that you have loved the service you have received from Bella so far!  Believe me, when you work with me, I will do anything in my power to help you out!

We do have references, but we cannot disclose which package they got.  Also, we just recently added the album to the Simplicity package - - it previously did not come with one, so if you do talk to someone who got Simplicity, they would not have the album.  Here you go:

Dorlethia and Gary

Dorlethia:

Lindsey and Nathan

Lindsey:

Sara and Damien

Sara:

The great thing about Bella is that we are so flexible that you do not need to have a venue to book us.  We can make any adjustments you need to, and since we are a nationwide company, we can even work with you if you decide to have your wedding out of state!  Not that you’re planning it, but that’s just how flexible we are!  Also, you are locking in current pricing, so we can never raise the prices on you like other companies do.  As for the discount, we have NEVER offered more than 25%.  The only time we matched this discount is for our Black Friday sale after Thanksgiving.  That’s why I was so excited to tell you about this promo!  IF we ever do anything more than 25%, I will let you know, but to be honest, we do not have the capacity to do that, as we do not have the margins for it.  I guarantee you that this is the best discount that we have to offer.  Also, just so you know, we can only do 20% if you go with Simplicity.  We’re already losing money on that package under the discounted rate, so I just wanted to be sure that was clear.  I offered you the 25% for the Classico package since that’s what you’re interested in, and I can honor the 25% for that package.  However, if you dropped to Simplicity, the best I could do is 20%.  Does that make sense?

If you have any additional questions, please let me know.  Otherwise, I would love to reserve your date and lock in that 25% off for Classico and get you that fantastic legacy-worthy album you deserve!

Thanks,

Jennifer

From: lashanta
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 8:35 PM
To: Jennifer Morgan
Subject: Questions/LaShanta and Deon

Good Evening Jennifer

Here are the questions are per our discussion this evening. I hope they don't overwhelm you.

Are your photographer's willing to travel anywhere in California ? If so, is their an additional charge? For example, Catalina Island is an area that interest us for our event if our party size becomes smaller that 50 guests.

I have to compliment Bella on their sales tactics it has been a pleasure thus far. I have seen some of the reviews on-line and so far so good. Are you able to provide additional references from clients that specifically Classico and Simplicity Package? More so the Simplicity Package. 

At this time we have not selected a venue, this is why we are hesitant on making a concrete decision. There is still a lot we have to plan for. The 25% discount sounds great but what happens if we reserve our date this week to receive the 25% discount and later down the line prior to our event your company has a better offer (discount) will I be given the opportunity to take advantage of that offer?

Thank you for being patient and willing to answer  my questions. I do appreciate it.

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annandted86

What's the problem, that they want an extra charge to work in your town?  That's not unreasonable to ask, it should have come out right in the beginning, and other photographers who are local to there I'm sure work there without any extra cost.

jackandjill2011

Not a promise or guarantee at all, sorry.

When you buy something, you take the risk that the price will increase or decrease.

With your deal, sorry, it decreased. They can't possibly go back and offer every single bride the new deal, that's not how it works.

She was simply telling you that it was a pretty good deal and, in the past, they haven't really had better. No promise they will never have better again.

jcamm11

I disagree with PP's.  She said she would tell her if any better deals came up, which implied that she would give her the better price.

'IF we ever do anything more than 25%, I will let you know'

I say hold her to it

peaceistheway

i signed on with bella, but i've been worried sick ever since. im seriously considering losing the money they've already collected and peacing out on them. the rep that met up with us included their album, along with several other things, and even though i wasnt crazy about their album offers, i figured id just include that number in the total cost. she said that my package would be modifiable.

not the case. i tried to modify the album out, and now they want to revoke the discount that originally even drew me to them in the first place! (free 6 hours of photography with purchase of video).

its such a nightmare... their payment process is a nightmare. and im just over it. i dont like their system either. photography is HUGE. im getting married ONCE, and i'll be damned if i run the risk of getting screwed over on the one thing that  probably matters most... the memories.

sooo, yea. keep me informed on what you decide to do. because im pretty sure im just out. haha.