RANT Unresponsive Vendors (Long)

OFF

I know vendors are super busy making other bride's dreams come true but if they want business in the future you'd think they would return calls/emails. I contacted this very popular florist that does weddings around Loudon county. Emailed 3 times nothing, then called and spoke to her and she was like yeah I'm swamped but I saw your emails. Well at this point you would think since we're on the phone she'd just ask some prelim questions and set up an appointment. Nope! She said email her some details, and get this she said I'm super busy so if need be keep emailing me. I'm thinking I'm not that desperate to have you as my florist. I mean why not just say you are too busy for appointments now call back in X number of weeks instead of going oooohhh I'm really excited to talk to you and hear about your wedding plans. I think some vendors become so popular they just end up being fake and providing horrible customer service. In the end we found a Altelier Floral Design and we LOVE Jennifer and Rachel so it all worked out for the best.

FutureMrsHabibty

So sorry you went through that luv. I went through the same thing with my first photographer, and a bunch of the hair and makeup peeps. hmph. I guess they should've known that I'm a social butterfly that knows many people in and out of the business, and I will give them a bad wrap with the quickness!

spuliafico

I'm dealing with the same thing! I e-mailed a hair/makeup person and 3 days later she sent me an e-mail "I'm free for your date call me to discuss" I called her last week and she hasn't called back...if I weren't on such a budget I'd go elsewhere...but I may just have to wait it out or pay more for someone else who wants my business...

OFF

Well I guess it's better that they are unresponsive BEFORE I book them. It definitely makes the process of elimination easier. I just can't get over how many people from cake people to florists just don't return phone calls. Is business that good they can blow off people?

phkesner

I just had a florist I met with last October call me to see if I'd found a florist for my wedding, which is in 2 weeks.  I was speechless, which is rare!

Berritoi

I ran into the whole "unresponsive vendors" issue with a few photographers.  It was frustrating, especially when I'd heard nothing but good things about them.  It always works out for the better in the end, though

alygoo615

Ugh- this is a perfect post. I found what I thought to be the PERFECT ceremony venue. The people there were extremely unresponsive- needless to say, I didn't book them. It was ridiculous how unresponsive they were! I even drove there one time to have someone show me the place since no one else responded- and they basically just told me to "look around" and let them know if I had any questions. Yuck.I am going with a different venue which I don't like as much aestheically, however I feel more comfortable having my ceremony at a place where people seem to want my money and business!

fchan1

WOW - this is definitely a perfect post since I was getting ready to post something similar, but more vendor specific. I guess I'll piggyback off this a bit. I'm in the process of trying to find a reception site. I've emailed two Westin hotels - DIRECTLY to the point of contact at the hotel - and the W downtown, and NOTHING. It's been almost a week with no response (longer for the W) and I just feel like if someone is essentially trying to spend $20K to $30K for one day, wouldn't you want to at least shoot them a quick email or phone call letting them know you'll get back to them, EVEN if you're "super" busy? ESPECIALLY in today's market where companies are canceling meetings left and right and weddings are downsizing? GRRR!On the other hand, Marriott is on the ball...all of the places I sent RFPs to have been extremely responsive and persistent and we will have visited all three by this evening. I've always liked the Marriott - now I know why!!

OFF

Yeah the vendors around here can't be hurting, because they are definitely not acting like it's a recession. I was definitely expecting more customer friendly service. Instead I'm being treated like I should be lucky they are considering me!

kimhunter

I had the exact same problem with RSVP Catering.  We decided not to use them for catering because they were so unresponsive, but then I contacted them about ordering one item and still nothing.  It's like a black hole.Their loss.  

tyresec

Hey! I am glad you decided to go with Rachel and Jennifer, they are sweethearts!

Kitcat106

I've been trying to get a venue to send me menus and a proposal for the last week and ... nothing!! Spoke to the owner of the place and he said he would send me something. E-mailed with the chef and he said he would send me something. But, I've got nothing!! Wtf! Apparently these people don't want any additional business.

Kitcat106

I had to give an update to my previous post. For about 2 weeks I've been trying to get in touch with a restaurant (50+ miles from my house) to inquire about reception pricing. I spoke to the owner on the phone and I explained that I lived far away and that i'd really like to see the menu and prices first, before we take the time to drive all the way there. He said he would e-mail the menu to me. I also e-mailed with the chef who said the same thing. Well, I'm still waiting... In the meantime, I have been e-mailing with a Knottie bride who had her reception there to get her input on the situation. Yesterday she e-mailed me the menu they sent to her when she was in the planning stage. About 3 hours later, the restaurant owner finally e-mailed me to say they are on vacation and will e-mail the menus to me "sometime early next week." Gee, don't hurry or anything! I know you are on vacation, but come on! Vendors shouldn't make people wait weeks to get their prices/contracts/whatever. It seems like small business owners are hardest to track down. I really like to support small business owners, and i do give them the benefit of the doubt (small staff, maybe limited hours), but they need to get with it if they want to get more business. We are considering the lack of response from the vendor as a sign from God. We're moving on and looking for another place. Rant over.

VickyFlor

I love the knot board upgrades because I can add to this thread from a couple of months ago .  FI and I have been reaching out to vendors, some have been more responsive than others.  As Kitcat put it so well, I understand that small business owners have smaller staffs and limited resources.  Thing is, I think if vendors have time to tweet a handful of times during the day, then perhaps they can squeeze in the time to reply to simple emails.  That is all.