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Did you ever loose/not book a client because of the PLANNER? - Page 2

post #16 of 28
9/19/12 at 5:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaniceBest

Uh, oh. I have a consultation next weekend. The bride told me her planner insisted on coming, along with her mother, future MIL, and her BFF. Am I in trouble?



yes icon_rolleyes.gif

I'd make sure you set a time limit on this, because the more people the more opinions, and they all think that they're there to get the full wedding experience and you're their cake servant.
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #17 of 28
9/19/12 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaniceBest

Uh, oh. I have a consultation next weekend. The bride told me her planner insisted on coming, along with her mother, future MIL, and her BFF. Am I in trouble?



Well, ask the bride for a shortlist of her preferences. See if she can email you pics or info ahead of her meeting.

And you are forewarned. Don't let the planner run the meeting. The mothers may also have some strong ideas, so you may have to remember to say "this is the BRIDE'S day" in the face of people who say "I'm paying therefore I will dictate the cake".

If any planner ever called me to insist on my lowering prices, I would say that I expect to hear from the bride that the planner has cut the fees for her own services by the same amount...or else threaten to report her to the local employment department for paying less than minimum wage...
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post #18 of 28
9/19/12 at 5:32pm
When brides-to-be let on that they want that many people at their tasting I have no problem telling them that too many cooks will spoil the pot. I do so nicely, but more to assure her that this is her day and that she needs to really think about it and if they will make things easier or more difficult. I have had wonderful experiences where the couple brought mothers and planners, but more often than not it is a train wreck.

I limit the tasting to the bride and groom and charge for extra plates... this helps.
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post #19 of 28
9/19/12 at 5:49pm
Hey it could work out fine. Who knows, maybe *this* planner is a great one who knows to sit back and advise when necessary, take notes, and generally empower the vendor to do their thing. What a concept!
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post #20 of 28
9/19/12 at 5:59pm
I have a couple planners who are like that. One whom I would like to clone and send to all of my friends... LOL. She is AMAZING. Every detail is taken care of without ego or grief... she has pantone swatches for colors... she is adorable and bubbly without being annoying (heheheh)... now if they could only all be this way... *le sigh*
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post #21 of 28
9/19/12 at 6:04pm
Thread Starter 
You guys definitely helped me alot because I was on the verge of sending another reply about how SHE is not the client. Now I'll just let it go and get tighter about my schedule and such next time. I LOVE the one to just look at her while she is talking and then pause when she is done. Classic!
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post #22 of 28
9/19/12 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaniceBest

Uh, oh. I have a consultation next weekend. The bride told me her planner insisted on coming, along with her mother, future MIL, and her BFF. Am I in trouble?



icon_eek.gif YES!!! 5 women trying to agree on a cake--won't happen.

It's definitely in your best interests to nip this in the bud. You can tell the bride that based on limited space, time, and samples, tasting is available for no more than 2,3, or 4 people (whichever you prefer--3 would allow for the bride, planner, and MOB) and that for $XX you'll provide a take away box of some samples for them to share with others).

The more people, the longer the appointment and the less that will get accomplished.

Don't have any more chairs/seating than what you need so that "extras" have to stand---bet it'll go faster...................

Good luck.
Rae
I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!

They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
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I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!

They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
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post #23 of 28
9/19/12 at 9:38pm
Take control of the situation now or you'll reget it later. I've been doing wedding cakes for 15 years and have learned a little!

I always start with an e-mail, saying we can only accomodate two persons (bride and groom, or bride and mother, or groom and friend -- I don't care who comes, but no more than two), and if the couple have children they need to organize a sitter because we can't possibly accomodate children ( and we don't want to, either). The more people who are involved with the decision-making process the longer it takes. Count on about a half an hour-forty-five minutes extra for each extra person at the consultation.

I tell them I have booked them for 1½ hours and that I have another consultation directly after (whether I do or not - it helps to hurry them up).

I ask them to please have an idea as to the style of cake they want, fun and colorful, or classic white, or whatever. i also ask the to bring along any pictures of cakes or cake details they like, color samples, any reception details or dress photos.

Good luck!

Hero of the month:   Amina Tyler

 

 

The Christian right is neither.

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Hero of the month:   Amina Tyler

 

 

The Christian right is neither.

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post #24 of 28
9/19/12 at 9:57pm
I like the ideas in this thread: keep the number of people to a minimum (2-3) and if the client wants more people to sample the cakes, arrange for them to purchase a sample box for them to take home to the 900 other people who want to taste the cakes. Sounds good.
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post #25 of 28
9/20/12 at 3:31am
Heck, I give them half an hour and only three people max.
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
Reply
post #26 of 28
9/20/12 at 6:39am
JaniceBest, Not necessarily. Welcome both the bride and the planner graciously, then simply tell them - while smiling - that you make contracts with the bride, and that your questions will be directed to the bride. If the bride asks the planner's opinion that's fine; but since it's her contract the bride has the final say. Managing expectations, politely when possible, is the key.
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post #27 of 28
9/20/12 at 10:19am
[quote="costumeczar"]
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaniceBest

the more people the more opinions, and they all think that they're there to get the full wedding experience and you're their cake servant.



"cake servant?" LOL icon_lol.gif
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post #28 of 28
9/21/12 at 11:41pm
And make sure you have a friend or hubby call exactly 1 hour into the meeting. "Oh sorry. This is a call I have been waiting for and I scheduled this as a 1 hour meeting...." , you announce to your tasting group as you answer the call. Then, so all can overhear, "We are just wrapping up here, and I will be able to take care of that right away....". Friend or hubby calls back 10 minutes later to be sure you got rid of them, and with you answering the call with, "Yes. I understand.... blah, blah, blah...." Hubby calls back every 10 minutes or so until I let him know, "coast is clear...".

I know. I am a wimp. But it sure does help wrap things up when I have to....
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