Post # 1
Member
29 posts
Newbee
Hello everyone
I’m hoping that someone can help us. We are currently having contract issues with Whispering Pines in West Greenwich, RI.
They won’t lock in the price. They have a clause saying that prices are subject to change throughout the fiscal year. Our wedding wouldn’t be until Sept 25, 2010. We will be going through 2 fiscal years and the general manager said the best he could do is no more than a 10% increase.
Is it just me or does 10% sound like alot? Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone have any advise?
Thanks.
Post # 3
Member
1091 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2018 - Oakland Manor
I think 10% does sound like alot and I’d either ask him to lock the price down in the contract and be prepared to walk away. Or I’d make sure it’s inthe contract that it won’t be mroe than 10% of the price that you’re signing on and have that in the contract as well. good luck!
Post # 4
Member
97 posts
Worker bee
I think 10% is not that unreasonable. Have you tried 5% or somewhere in the middle?
Post # 5
Member
380 posts
Helper bee
There was a clause in our contract also that allowed for the venue to increase prices due to increased costs in commodity, labor, operating costs. I changed the entire clause to say that the price per peson is a guaranteed number and that if the costs of food, beverage or state taxed increase more than 10% than the original amount quoted then we and the venue have to agree on reasonable substitutions and cannot be done without written consent of myself and Fiance. I just sent my proposed changes to the contract today and am waiting to hear back. Hopefully you can work this situation out and maybe meet in the middle at 5% and make them show you that the prices of such things have increased to merit the 5% increase. to
It is impossible to plan a wedding so far in advance when a venue refuses to work with you on a price that is guaranteed. I understand costs of food and such increase but you have to be prepared to hold your ground if they are being unreasonable.
Good luck!! I’ll let you know how my situation turns out.
Post # 6
Member
2680 posts
Sugar bee
I dont think 10% is unreasonable going through 2 fiscal years. Thats 5% a year which is pretty standard. If they guarantee their pricing now and the state tax goes up, like it did in CA, or the cost of food, labor, etc., then they are eating the cost of the increase. Most places will guarantee pricing 6 months-1 year out but going 18 months out is a long to expect someone to keep their prices the same. I hope you can work something out though
Post # 7
Member
1091 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2018 - Oakland Manor
Oh also, I’d lookout for or inseert a clause that allows you to recoup your deposit if they go out of business or cancel on you. There have just been too many horror stories in this economy. 🙁
Post # 8
Member
2470 posts
Buzzing bee
Aww, we are wedding date twins!
Since they seem to be pretty adament on adding the 10% surchage, perhaps you could ask them to write in the contract that there must be reasonable proof for an increase in costs (meaning, vendor receipts for cost of foods, decor, taxes etc).
Post # 9
Member
21 posts
Newbee
I would get a solid quote. It’s ridiculous to give them free range to charge you an unknown number at the end. What vendor wouldn’t charge you the max by then especially when all business are feeling it in this economy. By then you’ll be feeling the amount you spent as it is and you don’t want to feel upset or bitter and have that attached to your wedding memories. In this economy, they would be unwise not to lock down a customer. In 1-2 years brides might be cutting their budgets even more.
Post # 10
Member
380 posts
Helper bee
I read in a book that your initial deposit should be by credit card. If in fact they go out of business or something else happens then you have a better chance recouping your money if you contest it with the credit card than if you pay cash or check. In this economy anything you can do to protect yourself is worth it.
Post # 11
Member
213 posts
Helper bee
It really depends on how much money 10% is. Personally, I would move on if they can’t give you an exact number of what you wedding costs will be. While I understand that the cost of doing business is bound to become more expensive, I think that they should be able to lock you in at a definite price.
If I were in this situation, 10% would really mess up my budget.
Post # 12
Member
116 posts
Blushing bee
<font face=”Times New Roman” size=”3″>I personally would be a little leary to sign a contract like that. At our venue, we were given the rates of the year we signed the contract in. So in 2008 we signed the contract at 22.95 p/p not including alcohol and it jumped to 23.95 in 2009. Even though we are booked for May of 2009, we are paying 2008 prices because that’s when we signed the contraqct.</font>
<font face=”Times New Roman” size=”3″> I would definately need some hard evidence that prices had gone up that much. I really like tealeaf22’s idea.</font>
<font face=”Times New Roman” size=”3″></font>
Post # 13
Member
290 posts
Helper bee
Do remember that Whispering Pines is part of Alton Jones, which is owned and operated by URI, therefore it is subject to the state budget on some big things. Having worked for URI for several years in a very budget-sensitive area, I can assure you that they will likely look to wedding fees as a place to pad (or hey, lets be realistic, meet) the bottom line. This might explain both the unwillingness to set a price now, but also the potential 10% increase.
That said, I completely understand your frustration at their wishy-washiness, and I wish I had a better more helpful answer for you!
Post # 14
Member
29 posts
Newbee
Thank you all so much for your input! It really is helpful! I was stressing beyond belief a few hours ago and feel a little better after talking to the Fiance. Will keep you updated on how it all goes.
Post # 15
Member
538 posts
Busy bee
I have heard of places doing this. I personally needed to budget our expenses from the very begininng, so I made sure we had our prices locked in when signing the contract becasue I noticed prices had gone up since the first time I staretd looking.
Post # 16
Member
29 posts
Newbee
Update!
Thank you all so much for all your help! Thanks to AlmostMrsG for reminding me about URI’s budget. It put a new light to the situation. We signed the contract this week with a no more than 10% clause and included as much as we could in the contract to make sure we had as much as we can in writing. Contacting some of their references and other brides of Wedding Party to discuss the situation and get more info on venders was also very helpful in our decision. Also, we couldn’t deny the raw beauty whispering pines has to offer and how much it fits us.
So thanks again for all your helpful replies! You really helped ease my nerves 🙂
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