Vendor Rant-Gil Sosa!!!

PattyJose

Uggggghhhhhhh....soI  probably should have expected this, which i kinda did, but i call Gill Sosa this morning to confirm our 6PM appointment today and he  confirms with me and tells me that if i can show up a little earlier that would be even better. So i show up at 5:45 pm and i get let in by his son. As  I am sitting at his desk his wife comes out and tells me that he got held back in the beach with an emergency job and that he "tried" calling me 40 (yes, she said 40) times and he couldn't get a hold of me. I found it so funny how i didn't have one single missed call nor voicemail.

Ugggggghhhhhhhhh, i am sooooo upset!. I was really looking forward to this appointment, but if i cant trust him for an appointment, how am i suppose to trust him for such an important day!!! Uggggghhhhh!

Ok, i think im done venting.

Tiffayqp12

I know it is frustrating, but he is good at what he does, but horrible with client interaction.  I haven't heard any complaints about his day of performance, usually the opposite in fact.

Sorry this happened to you though, I know it can be annoying.  But at least you have plenty of time to make another appointment.

RU3234

IM sorry that happened to you! Unfortunatly, that seems to be the norm from him but he always seems to come thru on the wedding day. Hope he comes around!

Lacey36

oh no sorry to hear about the appointment. Maybe he had the wrong phone number? I would contact him again and see how it goes. I mean if it was an emergency maybe he had all intentions to meet you but was unsure this would come up. I hope you can get it situated.

heathermckelvey

Double edged sword!!! If I was a bride or client and he came through for an emergency I would be overly appreciative. On the same hand, skipping out on an appointment is not cool. If he has the wrong number than I think it is totally excusable. If not, I wouldn't feel at ease by this. His work is amazing, but there are others out there, trust me. While most people think you should excuse his behavior, I don't necessarily agree. There are a lot of people struggling right now and some really great people that would love to work with you. You don't need the added stress from your florist. You don't need to feel regret or worrisome about him pulling through for the wedding. 

With that being said, if this is the first instance of poor service, I would excuse it and hope that he comes around. If it's been nothing but frustration from the beginning, well then I would move on. 

This is of course, my opinion, you might disagree. 

latinachica29

hugs to you dear! I'm still waiting for my $40 return for my missing tossing bouquet!

He said I would be getting it and that was about 3 weeks ago. He friended my on FB today and I'm thinking on writing on his wall about my return.

I even called the man!! Oh yeah he forgot my FG petals too and one of my MOHs had to pull petals off her bouquet for the basket.

PattyJose

Yea, FI says that he doesnt deserve our business. I really wanted try him out, but i dont think i can put up with this. Specially if im going to be paying thousands of dollars for his services.

Heather: He not only had my #, but my email. Your right, there is a lot of talent out there, i guess my search will continue.

Joanne: Its is the little details that make a difference. I mean not having a toss bouquet would have definitely upset me. And no pedals...yea, I think im going to keep searching.

I have an appointment with George Nevot tomorrow. Anyone ever hear of him?

Tiffayqp12

I have heard great things about Jorge Nevot and he is very inexpensive.  I tried contacting about 20 times and his communication was worse than Gils if you can imagine.  

Good luck though tomorrow and keep us posted as to how it goes.

Kitty315

I have heard of several girls who weren't too thrilled with their flowers o nday of because it was not what they agreed to or he went and did stuff out of hiw own accord and the bride wasn't into it. It has happpened.. numerous times. It's hit or miss with him.

My experience was like this: He was very nice on the phone when I called to confirm our appt one hour before (Karla set it up for me), I arrived 10 minutes early and waited 45 for him to finish with another bride. FI was not happy. The meeting was quicker than any other florist.. he didn't really try to get too much info from me but then again I was very specific in what I wanted. He gave us a rough quote while there but said he'd have a more accurate official quote to me in a few days. Based on other girls experiences, I expected to have to hunt him down. He had it to me in 2 days or so. He had added crystals and a few other things that I was not interested in.

It all depends.. some girls wait weeks to get a quote and never do.. some say he put exactly what they wanted on their quote.. and other say he did his own thing on day of.

Sorry you had such a rough experience. =\

TheJennius

Mmm ... it depends how much you're willing to put up with. Like most of the girls said, it seems like it's a hit or miss, so I'd recommend looking for other florists. I can't recommend anyone because I'm working with the Breakers Design Studio (they're genius but pricey), but good luck!

LAKE21

I don't know what your looking for but what about Daniel Events? I'm working with them and the whole team is amazing. They get back to my calls quickly and I've met with them like 7 times and had my contract changed just as much.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this but IMO I wouldn't put up with this. He may be really great come day of, but first impressions are very important in my book. Honestly, I'd look else where.

n&j1010

I got over Gil after the 3rd apt that he would confirm and then cancel as I was on my way to his house. You can try Natinel Florist!!!

melimagu

I had a fairly negative experience with him as well. I was on my way to our first appointment when he called & told me to turn around because he would be about 45 mins late. When we get there, we toss around ideas because I really wasn't sure on what I wanted. He sent me the quote based on what we spoke about, and when I had a more definitive idea of what I wanted, he told me it wouldn't change the price because of the "labor" it took to do what I wanted. Mind you, all I did was REMOVE flowers from the arrangement. Whatever. I got very over him VERY fast. I am going to book Nevot tomorrow - I have had no problems with him. If you're clear cut & know what you want he's great to work with. If you're still not sure, I suggest making an appointment with Avant-Garde. They're pricey, but Rick (the owner) is a creatvie genius and can really give you awesome ideas. Then you can take it to Nevot whose prices are about half the average of anyone else.

Good luck

alpine1976

uggggg...... stressing........ will cross my fingers for saturday!

millenia98

If you feel shakey about it, yea he's great but you don't need MORE stress  during this time...and you don't want him forgetting toss bouquets and petals, etc. Those are a given, you don't "forget" those repeatedly with customers.

I think you should give someone else a shot...someone who's REALLY hungry for business. That someone is Vivian Colls. She has been my best vendor so far. And I am one pain in the butt/needy out of town bride. She has been great, always commenting on my emails and my ideas. She clicked with our vision and her prices are outstanding. One meeting with her and you'll be in awe of her work. A++

Give her a call - I bet she'll have a full on conversation if you call her, even at this time tonight (9:22pm)     http://www.viviancolls.com/

MIABRIDENTAMPA

Anne- Don't feel stressed about your wedding saturday, I have NEVER SEEN A WEDDING where his work was not good. I know some of the vendors ALOT ladies on THIS board suggest have GOTTEN really bad reviews in the past and others still use them. Personally, my first meeting with Gil @ his house on my schedule very late one night when I was in Miami went very well. So no worries Anne it will be okay

Patty- Sorry I hope you find an awesome florist to meet your needs. 

Joanne- I pray he gets you your $40.00 ASAP, because times are really tough and ever coin counts. 

BTW I am a GIl Sosa bride and PROUD OF IT....

PattyJose

Christina: I actually already tried Vivian Colls and i loved her but she was about $500 over my budget. She already brought it down quite a bit from her original price so im not sure if she can do more.

MIABRIDENTAMPA

BTW Jorge Nevot just did a knotties friends wedding and her flowers weren't fresh, but I hope for your wedding they are fresh. GL

PattyJose

OMG! This is horrible!! I just dont know anymore! The florist plays such an important role.....i just dont want to be disapointed. =(

bluebook

I still haven't done my vendor reviews (delinquent I know, they're coming soon!) but suffice it to say for now that I would not use him again nor recommend him.

Tiffayqp12

Oh no Dalie!  I am awaiting your review on this for sure.  I am a Gil Sosa bride too and obviously there is no turning back now, but I hope he really works these things out.  I feel like we should tell him how his reputation is getting around.

bluebook

Tiff - I feel like if I'd spent more money on flowers things might have been different but that's no excuse. I'll be doing my reviews this week.

kristy1010

I'm with Kaila on this one. I am also a Gil Sosa bride and I am very proud of it. I chose to meet with him based on Joet's wedding which was one of the MOST beautiful weddings I have ever seen. 

I have met with him twice. In the initial meeting everything went well, he was on time (it was at his home) and we spent about 1 hour discussing ideas. He shared lots of photos and creative ideas. He also gave me lots of pointers and recommendations for the overall look of my wedding based on my venue (Rusty Pelican). He got me the quote with everything exactly as we had discussed by the next day. 

My second meeting, we finalized the contract and I was very pleased. Based on the flowers I chose and the look overall, he was EXTREMELY reasonable. 

This was the 5th florist I met with and by the 2nd meeting, I signed with him and I have complete confidence he will come through. 

I know other brides have had different experiences with him but I find him to be one of my most likable vendors due to his design, pricing and personality. 

I wish you the best in finding a florist for your wedding. 

allik1981

I never met with Gil, but I'm using Daniel's Events and so far he's been great and extremely accomodating and quick to respond to any questions/concerns.  I know there are a ton of florists out there who would love to have your business and wil work hard for your business.   Good Luck!

Lacey36

I am also a Gil Sosa bride, I have yet to meet him personally but I did speak with him through email and spoke over the phone and for me not being able to meet in person I was very pleased with everything. I will make it a point to tell him I do NOT want this or that and I told him that when he suggested thing inside the contract and when I confronted him he said he just put it as an idea for me to see, but doesnt mean I need to have it. Im sure he will pull through regardless, and yes a florist is a huge vendor to look for because you dont want to regret your decision. It is definitely tough I know I went back and forth between Gil and two other florists to decide and Gil has awesome work and his prices were great and reasonable.

silverrose

I am also a Gil Sosa bride and I love him!  I actually just sent him an email last night asking about setting up our trial and he just emailed me back now.  Gil isnt the best at returning emails so this was a great sign for me.  I have heard that he's a bit off as far as communication goes prior to the wedding but as your day gets closer, he always pulls through and is very good at responding.  Prior to booking with him though, we met w/him twice.  Once to go over ideas and another to finalize everything and give our deposit. He's always very pleasant and I'm confident that my flowers will be nothing short of amazing for the wedding.

Patty - I'm very sorry that you had this experience with him.  I know he is a very busy guy and I also know that it's not an excuse.  I believe everyone always deserves a second chance because you never really know the full extent of the situation, however, the most important thing is that you feel confident and comfortable with all of your vendors.  You might decide to give Gil another chance or go with someone else.   I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.

azefazekim

This may be selfish but I feel better I wasn't the only bride with the problem with gil. Its been 2 months after I sent him a detailed proposal HE wanted and the appt that he set up himself and  never even called back or email on after numerous phone calls/emails from myself and my wedding planner....and he wasn't even HOME for our "appt" that he set up. Lucikly I was refered to another florist by a bride and so so glad I found out about her. Its one thing to make the excuse that he has bad communication but another to just be unprofessonal about it. Not to mention that he told my planner that he (and in quote) "I don't know how it got around that I am a cheap florist, I am very busy with plantinum wedding, so have her just send me a quote" I guess I wasn't plantinum enough. thanks for my rant

millenia98

Wow, sorry to hear that Kim : (   That is really unprofessional

marnie80

Oh Boy I have a meeting with him and he better shows up or I won't give him a chance, I CAN'T because I only have a day to see them all before I come back to Alabama ha!

twinkle82576

Ok, I've def. heard more bad than good about Gil Sosa, and have no plans of even trying to meet with him. More often than not, I hear about how horrible Gil is with communication and meetings, etc. Even if he comes through the day of, I'm super anal, and everything needs to be done in advance, organized, finalized, etc. I would never be able to deal with a vendor like him.

There are hundreds of florists in South Fla., and I'm sure I can find at least one that is affordable, professional, and able to give me what I want.

GL to all you brides going through the florist dilemma.

jssoto82

PattyJose,

ok..i think everyone is being a little unfair. I understand that this is "OUR WEDDING" and its the most important times in our lives, but PattyJose--- u still have over a year left. Granted that doesn't mean you shouldn't be attended to- but I think we all have to realize that vendors have to put their responsibilities under priority. There has not been ONE BRIDE that I have seen on this knot- that has used Gil Sosa and has not been 100% satisfied at the end result. He might not be the vendor that "holds your hand" and is 100% accessible at all times, but I think that means that he is a wanted man and is very popular...which says something about his work. I am using Gil for my flowers and I contracted him about a year in advance. But reading on the knot I came to realize not to expect him to be at my beck and call right now when he has other brides and flower responsibilities to tend to. A little patience and understanding goes a long way with Gil. Yes you're paying him money---but rest assured he will perform over and beyond what you are paying him for. He has a very HIGH QUALITY product for extremely LOW and Reasonable prices.

I just think that before everyone begins to freak out--- everyone should just stop and put it into perspective. I would be more concerned if your wedding was next month and he rescheduled your appointment--then maybe you would have a reason to be upset. But if you still have a year to go-- then put that into perspective and understand that he needed to tend to his client at that point in time and he probably did call you but something might have happened.

I feel its important to defend him because he's vendor and he can't defend himself and I stand 100% behind him!

I am sure other brides that have used him can say the same thing....