Posted by Stephan in Blog, Wedding Planning Tips | 0 comments
Flipping through the New York Times recently, I came across an article that was apropos. Jilted by a Queens Wedding Vendor, Newlyweds Get Help From the State in the August 4th NY Times talks about a whole host of unsuspecting wedding couples in Queens, New York getting ripped off by a wedding photography company.
Some couples had been waiting over two years to receive their wedding photos, only to find out the company had gone bankrupt and their photos never to be recovered.
Yet other couples had their checks cashed by the company AFTER bankruptcy was declared! Talking about shady!
So many couples were affected, the government had to step in .
“Nearly two years later, Mrs. Ervolino still has no wedding album. But she and her husband — and about 550 other aggrieved couples — are finally getting some satisfaction. Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo threw the book at the owners of Queens Bridal, along with its sister companies, Q-Pid Corporation and Majestic Bridal Center, which also closed.”
And in the end the company agreed to pay $250,000 in restitution. That’s a little vindication, but if your wedding day photos are gone forever, you’d probably still be furious.
Definitely go ahead and read the NY Times Article on karmically backward wedding vendors. It may just help you avoid such a problem.
So what can we learn from this?
- Shop around and deal with trustworthy people: call the vendors and chat with them. Does the person on the other line have genuine interest in helping you and giving you solid advice? Or are they counting the seconds, just trying to “convert you” and hang up? Trust your gut and cross those vendors off the list who just frankly sound like a “douche.”
- Get Everything in Writing: if there was ever a question about deliverables down the line, voila, you got the agreement down on paper.
- Read the Fine Print: is the vendor pulling the old switcheroo on you? Read the fine print and understand what it means.
- Pay with a Credit Card: Credit cards offer consumers a level of protection that cash or check just can’t match. Some credit card companies are so good at disputing charges when it’s rightful, that using your credit card for almost all purchases is a no-brainer. I’m not saying that if wedding vendors who do not accept credit cards, they are shady. Not at all. I’m just saying those that allow you to use the plastic are confident in their product or service and also are an established business. CC processing costs monthly fees for the merchant, and those who can afford them can signal: “I’m an established business.”
- BBB seal: For the longest time, I wanted to avoid getting the BBB Accreditation, because of cost. I now understand that ANYTHING that help hold merchants and consumers accountable to their word, is a good thing. Our application is in the works and we hope to have that seal up on the site soon.
The economic downturn is definitely posing a world of hurt for people and businesses, no question. However, as with anything, there is always a silver lining and in this case, a rough market place means a serious shake-out in any industry. In the hospitality industry, those over-leveraged hotels that don’t manage well are empty and feel like a ghost-town, as opposed to those who practice hospitality fundamentals well and genuinely, and are liquid enough, well those hotels are doing OK. The latter will also come out of this economic crisis a lot stronger, whereas the others will fold.
The wedding business is no different. Those who are reputable and honest, wanting to provide lasting value for their clients will outlast those Johnny-come-latelies who just want to earn a quick buck come hell or high water.
And according to the New York Times article, for many vendors, hell is waiting.
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