Potential vendor too pushy

No need to struggle ... it’s not personal, it’s business. Just tell them that you appreciate their efforts but you have decided to go in another direction with another vendor. Sending an email letting them know your decision is just fine too.

“Thank you for your time and information. We’ve decided to go in another direction.” Keep it simple.

I agree with Sharonda and Sarah. It may be that this is just how they do business and some might argue it's preferable to vendors that do not respond back. Try to understand that the way the do business means they will keep asking if you don't tell them you aren't interested. The sooner you tell them, the better for everyone.

View Quoted Comment Yeah I completely understand. My fiancé is usually the “no” person so I may just have him draft the email. I agree it’s better than someone who never answers, but it’s just a lot with multiple messages a week when I’ve given her timelines on when we are doing the other tastings.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! I think that’s what I’ll do.

View Quoted Comment Haha yes! I’m much better at this stuff with work-related. Somehow once it involves my personal life, I become the biggest pushover. Thanks for your help though! Just need to think it’s just business.

To be honest, I don’t think they’re being pushy for following up or asking for feedback. I think it is pretty reasonable for them to do both things but of course it is at your discretion how you want to reply. There is no need to take it personally; it’s simply a matter of telling them ‘We have decided to go with another vendor’ and if you feel like it, give them one reason why (i.e. ‘we preferred the variety offered by another vendor’).

View Quoted Comment Yeah I get how it could come off that way. I guess I should have specified that I have given this vendor very specific timelines of when we had tastings with other caterers and when I would be in touch with feedback/final decisions. My fiancé works in a quote-based business and has even expressed that the level of f/u is too much when I’ve given such specific information on our timelines.

View Quoted Comment This!!!!!!

I totally agree with everyone. Email them with a “thank you for the opportunity to taste your wonderful food but we’ve decided to go in another direction.”