Should I Fire my Caterer?

DaveandRoxy · August 2012

I apologize, but this one is kind of long.

My FI and I met our caterer at a tasting at our venue. She was very cordial, nice, professional and her food was amazing. So we got her information and emailed her the next week to reserve our date. I faxed her our completed "contract" in April. So my FI and I are trying to figure out what 2 options to let our guests choose from (beef/chicken seafoof/beef etc.) so we let her know in May that we wanted to get together for another tasting and to finally drop off the original contract and have her sign it and give her a deposit.

For some reason, she can only do tastings at our venue. which made it pretty much impossible for her to get a tasting date in. So, I started looking for other caterers and booked a tasting for one on 9/12. Then she emails me 2 days ago (finally!!!) and tells me she got us a date on 8/26.

It's been such a pain trying to get in contact with her or even see her and I worry that may be a bad sign for the wedding. It usually takes her 3-7 days to respond to an email and she doesn't answer the phone.

Should I bother even going to the tasting or should I just fire her and shop around for other caterers? One benefit to keeping her is that she is permitted to use the venue's kitchen.

We're getting married in March btw.

MrsKathyC · August 2012

Taking 3-7 days to get back to you doesn't seem like a big deal to me. If she's busy, that means she's in demand. Have you researched her to check out reviews? If you really enjoyed her food, and the reviews are good, I'd keep her.

NOLAbridealmost · August 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_should-i-fire-my-caterer?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:7d52af57-d78a-4020-b587-5bb568811607Post:924e4113-6000-4698-a43a-be5ae89132bd">Should I Fire my Caterer?</a>:
[QUOTE]I apologize, but this one is kind of long. My FI and I met our caterer at a tasting at our venue. She was very cordial, nice, professional and her food was amazing. So we got her information and emailed her the next week to reserve our date. I faxed her our completed "contract" in April. So my FI and I are trying to figure out what 2 options to let our guests choose from (beef/chicken seafoof/beef etc.) so we let her know in May that we wanted to get together for another tasting and to finally drop off the original contract and have her sign it and give her a deposit. For some reason, she can only do tastings at our venue. which made it pretty much impossible for her to get a tasting date in. So, I started looking for other caterers and booked a tasting for one on 9/12. Then she emails me 2 days ago (finally!!!) and tells me she got us a date on 8/26. It's been such a pain trying to get in contact with her or even see her and I worry that may be a bad sign for the wedding. It usually takes her 3-7 days to respond to an email and she doesn't answer the phone. Should I bother even going to the tasting or should I just fire her and shop around for other caterers? One benefit to keeping her is that she is permitted to use the venue's kitchen. We're getting married in March btw.
Posted by DaveandRoxy[/QUOTE]

<div>It's taken you over 2 months sign and return the contract and deposit and you're concerned that she's not jumping to answer your emails?? She probably thinks you aren't serious about booking. That's what I would think if I were her. I think 3-7 days to respond to someone who isn't even officially a client is perfectly reasonable. </div><div>
</div><div>I agree with PP to check reviews to see if others have had issues with the day of the event service, but from what you've said, she doesn't seem bad enough to fire without more.</div><div>
</div><div>Plus what's the alternative to her? Are there any other caterers who are allowed to use the venue kitchen? If not, where do they prep everything? </div><div>
</div><div>ETA: I get that you signed a copy and faxed it to her, but I am almost 100% willing to bet that <em>she </em>will only sign (and thereby create a valid meeting-of-the-minds) once she receives the deposit; so you really don't have a contract at all until she accepts a deposit.</div>

crazykatiemae · August 2012

Another thing to consider is that you've been trying to work with her during peak wedding season. A few days to a week to respond can be frustrating but your March wedding takes a backseat to the weddings she's dealing with in the next few weeks. I'd read all of the reviews you can to ensure that there weren't any other issues/complaints and go with your gut. If you think from the tone/vibe its just a timing issue, then stick with her. If it seems like a bigger issue, then it might be best to shop around.

Best of luck!

DaveandRoxy · August 2012

Sound good! I'll give her another shot. And as for the contract, we tried to set an appointment to meet with her a give her the contract with deposit but she kept putting it off. Finally we hear back 2 mo later and she can meet. But I see now that summer time is a busy wedding time no matter where you're at (Texas, avrg summer temp is 100+) Thanks everyone!

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