Checking Vendor References....what am I supposed to ask???

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Checking Vendor References....what am I supposed to ask???

posted 2 years ago in Beehive
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Member

626 posts

Busy bee

starcharades December 31, 2011 Philadelphia

Hi all. So I am about to start calling the references the caterer gave us. Everything I read says check references. But none of them tell me what to say or ask when I call the references? Anyone have any ideas????? Please help! Thanks!!!

Update: I have already looked into the caterer everywhere I could think of online, here, weddingwire, bbb, etc. Nothing bad. So now I am moving on to calling the people they gave me phone numbers to. What I need help with is figuring out what to say to the people on the phone. Thanks again!

2 years ago

Member

190 posts

Blushing bee

Maestro 10/10/10 Baltimore

For a caterer's reference, I would ask what kind of wedding their reference had. How big and venue. I think that's important to see if it's similar in size and scope to your own reception. Then I'd ask them if they were pleased with their service (which hopefully they were if the caterer supplied them to you) and what was included in their package (table/flatware/linen rentals, etc.). Then I'd ask them if there were any hidden fees, what they would've done differently if they had to do it over again, and any possible constructive criticism they might have for that vendor. Hopefully some of this is helpful to you... and good luck!

2 years ago

Member

338 posts

Helper bee

ProudPeacockBride August 13, 2011 Washington

Luckily, this generation of brides are quite vocal about their opinions. ALWAYS google/yahoo search every vendor. There are a million opportunities for people to list honest opinions about the vendor in Yellow Pages, City Search, Super Pages, Insider Pages, Craigslist, etc. and even on wedding websites like WeddingBee, the Knot, and so on. I'd do that before even talking to anyone in person! Vendors can't delete negative postings online! But they CAN doctor their own websites and personal listings with fake testimonials or exclude unhappy customer comments all together!

Good Luck!

2 years ago

Member

555 posts

Busy bee

farfromordinarybride December 31, 2010 PA

I agree, a google search will tell you tons. If it is a caterer, you may even be able to get away with just go by unexpected weekend just to "see" how things are flowing for an event (of course DO NOT interrupt someone's wedding). Also, references are one of those things that just really make no sense because vendors don't give contact information for bad clients.

You should ask them for the reference of someone they are currenlty working with, so you can see how their experience is coming along.

2 years ago