Dear Preston,
As a planner, I try very diligently to manage my clients’ expectations, and I have set rules when it comes to working with my vendors. One such rule is that none of my vendors are allowed to contact my clients directly without my knowledge. All of my vendors know this.
However, the florist I hired for an event I’m currently working on, recently took it upon herself to call my client directly. Why? Because she wanted to invite my client out to dinner — without me. When I told this florist that her behavior was unacceptable, she was indignate and thought I was being unreasonable.
My first instinct was to get rid of her and never hire her again. My second instinct was to write to you. Am I being unreasonable?
Sincerely,
A Fuming Planner
Dear Fuming,
You have every right to be upset, especially because you say that you are very clear with vendors about your rules of client contact. Clearly, this florist has stepped outside her boundaries.
However, as a florist and designer, I must admit that I’ve been in a similar situation. A planner once brought me a wonderful client. This client and I clicked immediately. So much so, that the client started calling me directly just to say hello. Naturally, she and I started chatting about her upcoming wedding and pricing, etc… This all made the planner so angry that she and I never worked together again.
It’s important that we all understand that any wedding or event is a huge collaboration among many vendors. The only way an event can be successful is when everyone embraces the same goal: to do the best job we can.
The bottom line is that there is no escaping that, sometimes, clients are going to favor some vendors more than others. I understand your rules; however, just maybe, you might want to consider been a bit more flexible and a bit less controlling.
Good luck.
Dear Readers, when a planner hires you, do you feel you have the right to call the client without the planner’s knowledge? What do you think of this planner’s rules?
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Categories: Blog, business advice, dealing with vendors, Dear Preston, event planners, planners, Preston Bailey, vendor rules, wedding planners