Vendor Response Time

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OMG! Delayed is an understatement lol. Within that time did you end up going with someone else or are you sticking with them?

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Within that time I was able to receive about 8 more quotes, filled out a contract, and MAILED in a deposit to a different vendor. It all worked out in the end- just was surprised she emailed me back. I had forgotten all about her!

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Thanks! They were the ones that actually offered the taste test and told me to let them know. As far as being busy season, that makes sense. Anything could happen, I guess. Just in the beginning they were quick to respond and I was just expecting it to continue that way.

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That's insane! I'm surprised she emailed you back to. I was about to say kudos to your loyalty but I'm glad it worked out in the end going with someone else.

The longest we’ve waited for a response, from any vendor, was 3 days. I don’t find response times longer than 1 week to be acceptable. Regardless of how far out your wedding is, you are paying these people for a service & deserve some type of response. Have you tried calling them?

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Thanks. Someone else said a week being an acceptable time frame as well. I haven't yet actually, but I definitely plan on it now.

View Quoted Comment Yea, I feel like a week gives you plenty of time to check emails, even if you’ve been on vacation or busy with work.
And definitely call them. I think you may have better luck that way.

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Thank you!

I've never understood why this happens - I know people get busy but when you are to the point where you are scheduling a tasting I would think they should be prompt on the response. I recently went through this with a bakery for our cake; it took 10 days for them to respond to each message and we were trying to schedule a tasting. I just gave up and went with another vendor who responded either same day or the next day every time. I was nice when they finally replied and just told them we found ourselves in a position of having to make a decision while we were waiting to hear back from them. I consider a couple of days reasonable, but that was a pattern I did not want as it made me not trust them to be in contact when it matters most. Do they have a phone number to give them a call or could the venue coordinator help you out since they set up the exclusive agreement? They may not know the caterer is hard to get in touch with, and that doesn't look good for the venue either.

View Quoted Comment I would just have to try and call as soon as they open. It's just hard because most of time I'm getting ready for work and they're closed by the time I get off. Also closed on weekends and I'm like something's gotta give.

Our venue exclusively works with two catering companies and due to cost, we decided not to go with the other caterer. We feel this one (besides being cheaper) also has better food options. I'm just going to have to try a little harder.

I gave my venue manager 2 weeks, and then followed up. She answered the 2nd email in under 2 days but said she hadnt gotten the first. All the other vendors I contacted got back to me in 2 days tops. If they dont respond within the week (or two-allow for if they had an emergency or something), you might want to consider looking at other vendors. Remember that if they arent responding now, you will have much more to worry about when its closer to time.

EDIT: After reading your previous reply, you might also want to check in with your venue manager to see if they can poke them for you since they work directly with them.

My caterer has ghosted me for over three months and counting after I paid them in full. I’ve called them and emailed them and they have yet to return anything. Supposedly we are meeting with them next week for our final walk through and that’s only because the wedding coordinator for my venue was able to get ahold of them.

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That's true and I probably would have already but our venue only works with 2 caterers and we don't really care much for the other one and they're more expensive.

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OMG! That's terrible! I hope they really go through with your appointment next week.

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You might also want to let your venue manager know that you are having these troubles. If they only work with 2, they most likely have a really good working relationship and might be able to pull some extra strings to help you.

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Yea that makes sense! I'll do that right away. Thanks.

I think a week is reasonable because of other events, clients or even vacation. Anything more than that it would annoy me specially after a follow up.

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YES! And I'm just please don't do this to me. I was advised to get in touch with my venue manager to try and get in touch with them since they work exclusively together. We'll see how it goes.

My FSIL told me a horror story she had. She contacted by email, talked back and forth, then they kept disappearing for a few weeks at a time, every time apologizing but then not replying to her email. This went on for a few months. Needless to say, she was really loved that venue, but had to pick a different one because it was just impossible to work with them.

Ugh I feel your pain. The coordinator for my venue is great but my florist sucks at getting back to me. It takes weeks, one time a month, to respond. Usually i have to msg her and remind her I'm waiting for her response. Frustrating for sure. I thibk I'm going to speed up the delivery so I can get the flowers sooner and not stress it