about to get all bridezilla on the reception venue

mrsbehnke

I dont know what to do. I say I am about to get all bridezilla but really its just going to make my head explode because I have no confrontational skills and don't know how to go about getting this across to them!
They have changed prices on us what seems like 1000 times. Now we have the final bill and the meals were supposed to be 18.95 are now 24.70 plus an additional 1.75 for the salads and fresh steamed veggies and now the kegs have gone up 75$ its getting completly annoying! How do I handle this! I am tempted to let my dad handle it but he wont be nice about it....

Maggie0829

I am not sure how they can change prices on you once you have signed the contract.  I think you need to look over your contract with your venue again to see if it states anywhere that they are allowed to change the prices noted in the contract at any time.  If not it is time for some major discussions with your venue or possibly even a call to a lawyer.

mrsbehnke

yeah i pretty much only communicate in person or on email so i dug in my emails and i have the one where they said the prices would be 18.95 so i am throwing that back at them, and i guess ill just have to eat the salad and veggie costs and the extra charges on the kegs

RebeccaB88

The key is, do you have a contract, and exactly what does that contract say?

If your contract says it's X amount and there's no provision in there for them changing that cost, then that's legally what they must honor. If there is a provision for them changing the cost, then they have to stick with what's outlined in the contract.

If you don't have a contract, you're probably SOL.  You can either pay what they want, or walk away and find a new venue.

JoanE2012

Why don't you have a contract?!

Mrs.B6302007

Well, if you have a signed contract, not just the estimates/quotes via email, then by all means, let your dad be "not nice about it."

If you only have the estimates/quotes via email then I doubt you'll have any ground because those aren't contracts.  Contracts seal in a price.

 Also, are these emails recent or from 2011?  Many venues do price increases each year and sometimes, very significant increases due to the high cost of foods for them.

mcskatcat

If you haven't signed a contract, then you're still in the negotiating phase. That means you can still look at other places if you'd like. 

When you did get an original quote, did they say "Oh is $18.95 a plate" but didn't quote you on the other fees?  Most caterers and vendors have tons of fees they tag on at the end, so it could be that's the case.  Whenever I asked for quotes from vendors, I always said to give me the bottom line, and everyone I worked with was fairly willing to do so.  Ask upfront about service fees, gratuity, etc.  And ask what all the price they are quoting you includes, because it might not include plates or it might not include waiter service, if you know what I mean.  You have to be very specific when working out these things. 

Like I said, if you haven't yet booked the venue, then I would tell them you're going to keep looking.  

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_about-to-get-all-bridezilla-on-the-reception-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a54ca187-4900-46b4-bf2f-47e864dd56bcPost:8d0c7682-ad6b-4161-8c04-1296cb7e46ef">Re: about to get all bridezilla on the reception venue</a>:
[QUOTE]yeah i pretty much only communicate in person or on email so i dug in my emails and i have the one where they said the prices would be 18.95 so i am throwing that back at them, and i guess ill just have to eat the salad and veggie costs and the extra charges on the kegs
Posted by mrsbehnke[/QUOTE]

An email is not a contract.  What does your signed contract say?

Mrs.B6302007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_about-to-get-all-bridezilla-on-the-reception-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a54ca187-4900-46b4-bf2f-47e864dd56bcPost:23e66c04-aedb-4fb1-9e3a-1d03d8651d51">Re: about to get all bridezilla on the reception venue</a>:
[QUOTE]If you haven't signed a contract, then you're still in the negotiating phase. That means you can still look at other places if you'd like.  When you did get an original quote, did they say "Oh is $18.95 a plate" but didn't quote you on the other fees?  Most caterers and vendors have tons of fees they tag on at the end, so it could be that's the case.  Whenever I asked for quotes from vendors, I always said to give me the bottom line, and everyone I worked with was fairly willing to do so.  Ask upfront about service fees, gratuity, etc.  And ask what all the price they are quoting you includes, because it might not include plates or it might not include waiter service, if you know what I mean.  You have to be very specific when working out these things.  Like I said, if you haven't yet booked the venue, then I would tell them you're going to keep looking.  
Posted by mcskatcat[/QUOTE]
Her ticker (which you may not be able to see) says she has 2 weeks to go. Sounds like she's going to have to pay the new costs.

bratto06

If you signed a contract then read it through,,,Sometimes they can raise there prices for the new year and that would be in your contract...

ElisabethJoanne

E-mails can totally be a contract, or parts of a contract. But they have to have contract language. It doesn't have to be really formal or complicated, but it does have to indicate both sides have agreed on the important points.

OP should review the e-mails for everything dealing with the issues that have come up, then use those to negotiate firmly and in writing what she thought was agreed to orally/by e-mail.

mrsbehnke

thanks for the advice ladies i am pretty much stuck with them as a vendor as it is so close the day and our invitations etc are out already. but i got them to come down to the original price THANK YOU JESUS! but we are paying the extra for the keg increase.

Mrs.B6302007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_about-to-get-all-bridezilla-on-the-reception-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a54ca187-4900-46b4-bf2f-47e864dd56bcPost:0597c1c5-ec28-4387-a7e5-9324129b031d">Re: about to get all bridezilla on the reception venue</a>:
[QUOTE]thanks for the advice ladies i am pretty much stuck with them as a vendor as it is so close the day and our invitations etc are out already.<strong> but i got them to come down to the original price </strong>THANK YOU JESUS! but we are paying the extra for the keg increase.
Posted by mrsbehnke[/QUOTE]

COngrats!  That makes paying more for the beer not seem so bad, right?  ;-)