Preferred Vendors...Good Business or Deception!!!
Preferred Vendors - Photographers, Florists, DJs. You've spoken with your venue (the place where you're holding your reception) and they "recommend" that you use their Preferred DJ or Photographer. "Wow, they must be awesome then, right? If this place chose this guy as their Preferred DJ!" WRONG!
I sat with Vanessa today who said her venue had recommended their Preferred Vendor DJ, and that she was trying to get a hold of him, but no returned calls, no price, no help. Typical story. I drove out to her house to sit with her, and we had a great time and laughed and I'm sure she'll hire me for her Wedding next year. One of the other DJ's she was trying to get hold of was this Preferred Vendor, she said!
I joked that she should "wait a week, and I'll be their Preferred DJ, then she could hire me!"
She looked puzzled. "Wasn't a Preferred DJ someone the place knew well, who'd received unbelievable reviews there and HAD to be recommended?"
NO !!! A Preferred DJ or Photographer may never have even PLAYED that venue!
I get calls all the time from venues, asking me if I'd like to be the DJ they recommend - their Preferred Vendor. SURE! "It'll cost you $600 per year, but think of all the gigs you'll get! For $600 we'll give your card to every bride we sit with, and recommend you! Also, we'll design a nice ad for you to have proudly in our BOOK (The Booking Book!). Maybe you'll be one of the only DJ's in their, and we'll transfer all our "leads" to you!"
I impolitely say NO! How can you recommend someone you've never met! What's that say about your relationship with this new bride who is about to dump her life's savings into your lap!
I played the Cellini Wedding a few months ago, and the people who worked there were really kind to me - very supportive. When I went to give them a card, they waved it away..."You're so much better than the Preferred DJ, but we can ONLY recommend him. He pays the boss! But he's WAY too loud, and we get complaints from guests about the antics, can't hear during dinner, only plays Hip-Hop, etc"...actual conversation!
Simply reiterated...a Preferred Vendor, for most venues, is simply the vendor who pays the venue a fee to be recommended.
I (yes, I) am the Preferred Vendor with David's Bridal, not because of my extraordinary talents, but because I PAY THEM every month (I like the privilege of sitting in their stores and greeting the new brides - my own little Bridal Expo of sorts!). Yet, since I've been DOING BUSINESS with David's Bridal, I've PLAYED weddings of 3 girls who work there, and NOW they Heartily recommend me, not because they have to, but because THEY WANT TO!
DO NOT Automatically fall for the Preferred Vendor gimmick. They are recommending that Vendor BECAUSE he pays them to do so. JUST ASK the Venue!
Find your Vendor because he/she has Glowing, Checkable Testimonials, and because you've sat with him/her, and you LOVE HIM! or at least will work with you to make your Dream Day a reality! Sorry Vanessa, but you helped me make my point, and you may have helped countless brides avoid the embarrassment of wasting their money, and wedding day, on the Vendor in the House Package - the Preferred Vendor!
As a side-note here, if the Vendor does have glowing reviews, insurance, and you love him, then consider hiring him.
PS...You Do NOT have to take any Vendor included in the House Package! IT's YOUR Wedding!
Sorry about all the bold - I get SOOOOOO Steamed!!