Need more florist advice asap

Rainbow17

I'm going down to Miami this weekend.  I am scheduled to do a trial for my centerpieces Friday evening.  My florist is requiring a deposit before the sample, which I understand, but the contract (which I have not signed) doesn't specify anything on clean up, sample costs, penalty if I decide to change anything.  Should I just pay the non-refundable $200 deposit so I can see the sample (remember I'm planning from out of town, so I need to do as much as I can when I'm down in Miami).  Or should I get everything straightened out in the contract first?  But then they may not have the contract ready before then, and  I may not get to see the sample when I'm down.

I don't want to loose my deposit, but I don't want to waste time either. 

quiggels219

If it was me I would not pay a deposit unless I was happy with the contract.  Will she even make a sample just for a deposit without having you sign a contract? That seems weird to me but maybe I don't know.  You will be back down here at some point to do a sample right?  Wouldn't it be better to do it when youre confidant in that florist and the agreement?

cmp1986

I agree! Get the contract they way you want it and then pay the deposit. Worse comes to worst, you will just lose the $200 and not $1,000's of dollars. HTH!

Rainbow17

If she will do a sample on Friday with the $200 deposit, and without signing the contract, should I just do that?  My planner checked her work out and said its all good quality, and good pricing.