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Dear Readers:

First, I would like to say thank you for all of the valuable advice you shared with me last week.  In the spirit of sharing and building a collaborative community, I wanted to continue this information-exchange and continue to seek and share one another’s advice. I will share situations where I feel you can assist me in my decision-making and encourage all of you to share your own business dilemmas, career concerns, and anything else for which you’d a little support.

This week, I am seeking your advice on a pressing matter; I need to make a decision as soon as possible and I need your advice.  A few weeks ago, a client had to cancel an event due to a death in the family.  My lovely client was more than gracious, insisting on paying all costs to the vendors involved.  As planners, we were proud of the vendors who chose to handle this tragedy with grace.  Most of them had no problem with simply voiding the contract without charge.  As florists, we did order the flowers, but thankfully my suppliers had no problem accommodating the last-minute cancel.

The problem comes down to the choice of the preferred lighting company that was recommended by the venue.  Because they are known to be one of the best in the business, I had no problem using the company.  Of all of the vendors that we were working with for this event, this is the only one who is insisting to be paid, almost in full.  Mind you, they own all of their equipment and have done no work other than to give us a quote.  In trying to be fair, I suggested they charge my client a minimal fee of 20%, but they were not happy.

I think there are some cases in which the “right” thing is easier to determine, but I would like to know what you would do in this situation.

I look forward to your thoughts.

Blessings,

Preston

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.