Austin Vendor Kick-Backs
This post may come across in a negative tone, but the topic is a very heated
one and there are many opinions on it. I have had this discussion more than ten
times in the last month and I felt it should be shared with Austin area brides.
Several recent clients have asked me if the vendors I recommend offer me a
commission or a kick-back for referring them. In one word I can honestly say
"No!". No reading between the lines, no "Well, it isn't really a kick-back". My
answer is simply no. I recommend vendors because they have given past brides
great service, a fantastic quality product and they are a good fit for my brides.
I have had new vendors contact me offering me $100 for every wedding referral
that I send their way. I replied I was sorry, but we only recommend based on our
first hand experience with the vendor. My brides trust my vendors because I have
worked with each and every one of them. Just because you are a good person
does not mean I am going to trust my bride's flowers, cake, wedding photos or
any other wedding service on the chance you will do a great job for her. It is her
wedding day and my reputation.
I was recently very surprised to hear from several of my preferred vendors that they
are being asked to pay commissions to planners or they may not be sent any more
business. They asked me point blank "Do we need to start paying you a fee to stay
on your preferred vendor list?" Are you kidding me? I cannot believe that some
Austin wedding planners are no longer working with fantastic vendors because they
won't receive a kick-back.
A fellow planner mentioned she had attended a seminar teaching local wedding
professionals about this "common practice" across the country and that if they
didn't ask for commissions then they were basically leaving money on the table.
Being told "Everyone is doing it" also does not sit well with me. I believe we all have
the right to run our businesses the way we see fit, but I don't think this is a practice
to be proud of or encouraged. Established vendors shouldn't feel pressure to play
the "commission game".
Off my soap box now,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com
one and there are many opinions on it. I have had this discussion more than ten
times in the last month and I felt it should be shared with Austin area brides.
Several recent clients have asked me if the vendors I recommend offer me a
commission or a kick-back for referring them. In one word I can honestly say
"No!". No reading between the lines, no "Well, it isn't really a kick-back". My
answer is simply no. I recommend vendors because they have given past brides
great service, a fantastic quality product and they are a good fit for my brides.
I have had new vendors contact me offering me $100 for every wedding referral
that I send their way. I replied I was sorry, but we only recommend based on our
first hand experience with the vendor. My brides trust my vendors because I have
worked with each and every one of them. Just because you are a good person
does not mean I am going to trust my bride's flowers, cake, wedding photos or
any other wedding service on the chance you will do a great job for her. It is her
wedding day and my reputation.
I was recently very surprised to hear from several of my preferred vendors that they
are being asked to pay commissions to planners or they may not be sent any more
business. They asked me point blank "Do we need to start paying you a fee to stay
on your preferred vendor list?" Are you kidding me? I cannot believe that some
Austin wedding planners are no longer working with fantastic vendors because they
won't receive a kick-back.
A fellow planner mentioned she had attended a seminar teaching local wedding
professionals about this "common practice" across the country and that if they
didn't ask for commissions then they were basically leaving money on the table.
Being told "Everyone is doing it" also does not sit well with me. I believe we all have
the right to run our businesses the way we see fit, but I don't think this is a practice
to be proud of or encouraged. Established vendors shouldn't feel pressure to play
the "commission game".
Off my soap box now,
Barbara
www.barbarasbrides.com
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