Just gave an $800 quote and she's still haggling...

[Sween]

Her email...

Hi. I'm sorry if I'm mistaken but I believe your website states that your wedding packages start at $695.00. So I am a bit confused regarding your estimate. Could you please break it down for me. I am having a small wedding and it is only 4 hours.

She's trying to hang me on a statement where I say and I quote. "Most weddings start from $695 to $995." Emphasis on the word START. I quoted her $795 for a basic package (no lights), which I think is mighty generous for a September Friday.

Anyhow... I changed that statement on my website now. And sent her this response:

The $695-$995 range on the site is a general statement that includes any discounts. We offer different discounts for different times of the year or week. In your case we offered 20% which brings your starting quote to $795. If your date was on an off-peak weekend (or Mon-Thurs) we would offer an additional 10% which would have made it $695. We make that statement on the website in order to let people know that our starting base quotes are always under $995, and sometimes as low as $695. I apologize for any confusion.

Our quotes are always the same for 4 or 5 hours (because we want to be set up and sound checked before your first guest arrives, even if we are not playing music… so we always plan on being there for 5 hours). Additionally, the size of the venue is more important than the number of guests.

Again, I apologize for any confusion… but I feel that we offer tremendous value with our pricing. We do not normally discount September weekends at all… however, this year we don’t have many openings left, so we decided to try a limited time 20% deal in order to fill in the remaining dates. We offer professional service on par with most services which normally quote well over $1000.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

If she tries haggling anymore I'm just going to cut her loose.

Sorry for the rant!

[mrkleen]

When you lower your standards and invite low ballers - this is what you get.

[knuhkles]

When you lower your standards and invite low ballers - this is what you get.

Exactly

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

[Sween]

I totally forgot I had that line on my website... My normal pricing starts at $995, but I decided to run a 20% off to fill last minute openings.

I did not think I would be inviting lowballers.... especially since I usually push the upsells and can get well over $1000 when I add lighting, uplighting, cocktail speakers, ceremony, etc...

My point was I think $800 is a damn good price... (for my locale) and even if this chick comes back and wants to book anyway, I might run for the hills!

[mrkleen]

Hard to say....I mean, I am planning my own wedding this year and I am trying to save a few bucks here and there. Asking for the best price doesnt always make someone trouble....but asking for the lowest price and THEN trying to haggle like you are in Tijuana = trouble for sure.

[Nick_EventPro]

Yeah, its hard to tell really. I mean, unless there's more that that email she sent that you didn't post, it genuinely sounds to me like she saw one thing on your site, and you quoted her something that didn't make sense to her and she just wants some clarification. If I was having a small reception, shorter than the normal time frame, I'd probably expect to be on the lower end of the range listed on your site as well. Given what you posted, I wouldn't say she's trouble, she's probably just not looking to spend alot of money.

If you want to cut her loose that's your call. Personally, I wouldn't take too many events at $800, but that's me factoring in my costs and market. I'd take that pricing off your website if your rates have raised, but I'd say you have to honor those rates on this one.

[Sween]

Okay. wording is removed from site.

But...

"Most weddings start between $695-$995." <--What was on the site.

When I give you a starting price of $795... how can you complain? Why does she think she automatically qualifies for the lowest price? I would have given the lower price if it was in mid February maybe or on a Tuesday... but not one of my busiest months.

If she takes the price I gave her I'll go along... but I'm not haggling. $800 is a great deal.

[Nick_EventPro]

I wasn't jumpin on ya bro. I don't think she's complaining, I think she's looking for clarification. Think about it from someone who isn't in the business. Most weddings are 100+ people, mine is half that... Most weddings are 5 hours, mine is 4. I read, most weddings start between 695 and 995.. I'm probably thinking im gonna be on the lower end of that spectrum. She wasn't thinking about days of the week and seasons and all like you or I do. Either way, she's got clarification- if she presses you more, drop the wedding. I was just giving you my take on it.

[wilson]

I wasn't jumpin on ya bro. I don't think she's complaining, I think she's looking for clarification. Think about it from someone who isn't in the business. Most weddings are 100+ people, mine is half that... Most weddings are 5 hours, mine is 4. I read, most weddings start between 695 and 995.. I'm probably thinking im gonna be on the lower end of that spectrum. She wasn't thinking about days of the week and seasons and all like you or I do. Either way, she's got clarification- if she presses you more, drop the wedding. I was just giving you my take on it.

LOL. That's what I was trying to say also (you must type faster than me). Not ragging on you either.

[wilson]

Sounds to me like she's just asking a legit question. I mean, most people don't have a clue there would be a difference between Fri-Sat and the rest of the week. Or that certain months of the year is jam packed for us. I've done this for so long that sometimes I forget too that "common sense" is pretty well out the window for my clients and their event. Most likely this is the first and only event they've ever planned. I'd just tell her that the lowest number is during your slow months or during the week (like you did). I don't see any red flags on her trying to low ball you though to be honest man. To me, her question seems pretty polite?