This post is a Short Notice about you get what you pay for!!
In this down economy everyone is trying to create business and profit. We recently heard of how Catering Halls & Venues are turning a little extra profit. This seems to be happening more on the East Coast but can be applied to anywhere.
Even before the recession many halls received a "kick back" for passing business to a particular vendor. The difference now is many halls are demanding a cash kickback to have vendors work in their halls. (Sound like the Sopranos to you?? - well it basically is!)
Bada Bing Examples:
Say you have a Florist you choose to do your reception and now your venue ( who you are also a client of ) says you have to use their florist - NOT because they are better or cheaper but because they get cash back from them!
Imagine having the perfect DJ or Band selected only to find out later that your Venue is forcing you to use their entertainment!!
The Videographer or World Class Photographer that did an awesome job for your BF's wedding can't be hired because your Venue has a "preferred vendor" for you. (They may not be any good or may be out of your budget!) ...You get the picture.
Other Scenarios
Other scenarios that have been happening are certain halls will just give you, and your vendors a difficult time because you didn't choose their preferred vendor for YOUR special day!
It may also happen that they may deny certain equipment (with out good reason) to be setup in your party, such as a Large Screen, Plasma, or Dance Lighting, because they had it built in BUT your external vendor already secured it for you at a reasonable rate.
We have heard of this situation where the hall has built in lights & tells the DJ not to bring their lights (that their clients paid for) in to the hall. Then the hall just turns their lights on but will not control them at all! So imagine trying to set the mood for your first dance & the halls strobe lights are on full blast!
Just remember just because the hall calls them "preferred vendors" does not mean that they are the best choice for your event. They merely do two things pay for advertising in the catering halls "book" and pay the hall a percentage commission from your money back to the hall!
It is very rare that a hall recommends a vendor strictly because they will benefit the mutual client, actually in some cases the sales person will get the kick back from a vendor, so they are even more greedy!
The last story we will leave you with, which may be the sneakiest... is using a "in house" vendor as a sales pitch or deal closer.... Such as we will throw in the ________ - (DJ, center-pieces, flowers, balloons, etc.) (I am not speaking about cocktail hour, extra room's or extra food that doesn't cost the venue) strictly an vendor.....
Goes back to you get what you pay for if they "throw in" a $1500 Disc Jockey - one of 2 things is happening - you are either paying for it and it is hidden in the price OR they are giving you a really bad cheap vendor that they can pay an hourly rate to...... not a professional.
So the outcome? You paid for a vendor you really didn't want or you saved money and got a shoddy vendor... either way the hall goes to the bank laughing!
What to Do?
Buyer Beware, let Halls do what they do best cook the food, and do your research and compare at least 3 vendors before making an informed decision. Also ASK your venue if they are recommending their vendors based on skill, excellence or commission!
Bada Bing & Good Luck!
Cher!
PS You can also Ask us for Ideas or recomendations!
