Frustrated

[bee*]

Has anyone else had this problem with a vendor? I really like this photographers work and I''ve searched through so many photographers websites and have eventually found one in budget and whose work I adore, but he''s very slow at getting back to me. We''ve been in contact a while and Tuesday of last week he emailed me to say sorry about the delay in replying to me but he was on holidays and is it possible to meet up this coming Sunday (the 24th). I emailed him back to say that was fine and what time suits him and I''ve heard nothing since. So yesterday I emailed him to ask is he still available to meet this Sunday and today I called him early this morning and I have had no contact back from him. I''m just a bit bummed as I really like his work but I figure if I can''t get a hold of him before I''ve given him any money then I don''t know what it would be like once I''ve paid a deposit

Plus I really need to know if he''s available for Sunday as it''s a two hour drive away. Anyone else had the same thing?

 

[karasue91]

ugh that''s annoying. when i was shopping for photographers i found a few i liked and one of them was really prompt in getting back to me and very responsive. i also loved her work, but the response time was definitely a factor in my decision.

i would say if you don''t hear back by today, call him again tomorrow and let him know that it is a long drive for you and you need to know whether you are meeting so you can plan your weekend. hopefully he gets back to you today. good luck!!

 

[onvacation]

Sorry to hear about that. How about you try calling him instead? Some people are just slow to answer by email and prefer talking in person. Hope everything works out for you!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Omg yes, and I so hate that. What a sticky situation if you really like the person. I mean is there something wrong with me to think that if I going to pay you thousands of dollars you should contact me within like 48 hours? One reception venue I contacted...(that apparently charges over $30,000 just for the reception btw) took like 2 weeks to get back to me!! Now that is waaaaaaay over my budget, but even if I had it I wouldn''t pay someone that much that didn''t even get back to me for weeks. Anyway, I guess wait a bit longer, do you have a number 2 choice?

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah, I''ve had that problem. And it''s so hard when it''s just the ONE vendor that you really like that''s unresponsive. And especially when there feels like there are no other good alternative vendors. I''d try to talk to him about it. Tell him that responsiveness is key for you. Not give him a deposit until you''ve had some indication that he''s going to comply. If he isn''t... don''t book him. You''ll just be frustrated and anxious if you do.

 

[sap483]

The woman who is designing my invitations is really bad about getting back to me quickly. I''m dealing with it because I really love her work and she''s very affordable. So, if you really like his work, then maybe just try and ignore it. Also, you never know if there is something going on in his life that might make him out of pocket for a while. I feel your frustration though!

 

[surfgirl]

bee, when I was shopping for photogs, I narrowed it down to four that I really liked. One I didn''t hear from for about 2 weeks and she was long gone from my list by the time she managed to get back to me. The others were fairly responsive but one stood out from the rest and her promptness along with her enthusiasm tipped me in her favor. You have to feel comfortable with the photog! They''re going to be with you for most of your wedding day and see you in very intimate moments. I''d say you should meet this guy and explain that you''re a little tentative because he''s not really prompt in getting back to you. If he values your business, he''ll respond appropriately. If he doesn''t want/need your business, he''ll make excuses as to "that''s how he works" and you need to decide if you can live with that without making yourself crazy.

 

[bee*]

Thanks everyone! Still no word from him

Damn, it looks like I might be back to the drawing board for photographers

.

thanks Karasue91-I will try and call him one more time tomorrow. Only because I really like his work though!

Onvacation-I tried calling him today but he didn''t answer and it''s nearly 7 hours later and no response. I said in the voicemail to ring me back anytime this evening, but I thought it would have been by now. The reason that we emailed each other was because he said that he finds it easier to email when he has a couple of weddings booked as he can respond in the evening.

Sarah-I don''t really have a back up. I''m really fussy about the photography and out of nearly 80 photographers, he''s the only one that''s ticked all the boxes. I know I''ll have to start finding a back up but I just keep hoping that he''ll respond.

Thanks Gypsy-it is so annoying when it''s the vendor that you really want. I''ll definitely have to talk to him if we do go ahead and book him as it''s been nine days since I emailed him.

sap-I understand completely what you''re saying and to be honest, if he got back to me I would write it off as I do adore his work. I have thought that there could be a family emergency or something up.

Surfgirl-I totally understand how appealing it is when someone responds promptly. That''s what I loved about our videographer. I will definitely say it to him if I meet up with him. Ugh it''s so annoying! Why does it have to be him that doesn''t respond

 

[bee*]

ok I know it''s bad of me but I just rang his phone again and took my identity off my phone and he answered! So why hasn''t he returned my damn call from earlier

 

[LostSapphire]

WHOAAAA!

Bad sign. Walk away NOW. Don''t give him any more of your time or $$!

 

[ringster]

sorry bee that you are dealing with this but i think he probably has put you in the bridezilla category at this time. now from reading your posts, i don't get a sense at all that you are anything close to bridezilla but that is kind of how you are coming across at this moment with this vendor.

hopefully you can meet him face to face and let him know that you have been so persistent because he is THE ONE that you want to take your wedding pictures and you haven't even considered any one as second choice.

he may not be so responsive because he may think your wedding is so far off. but if he is going to be a bit "relaxed" you really need to consider if you can deal with that.

good luck!

ETA : i just reread your posts and i would definitely start looking for a backup - this is not a good start with this photog - he has not fulfilled one of the items that should be on your checklist -- prompt response -- there are some things on your checklist that you can probably negotiate with a vendor on but there are some you can't like talent, professionalism, and prompt response

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/21/2008 1:19:02 PM
Author: LostSapphire
WHOAAAA!


Bad sign. Walk away NOW. Don''t give him any more of your time or $$!

Yeah it doesn''t look good

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/21/2008 1:20:27 PM
Author: ringster
sorry bee that you are dealing with this but i think he probably has put you in the bridezilla category at this time. now from reading your posts, i don''t get a sense at all that you are anything close to bridezilla but that is kind of how you are coming across at this moment with this vendor.


hopefully you can meet him face to face and let him know that you have been so persistent because he is THE ONE that you want to take your wedding pictures and you haven''t even considered any one as second choice.


he may not be so responsive because he may think your wedding is so far off. but if he is going to be a bit ''relaxed'' you really need to consider if you can deal with that.


good luck!

Thanks ringster. I really don''t think he could class me as a bridezilla-I''ve only been in contact with him four times since December-once to check his prices, and the other one was to see when we could meet and then I replied once to the email letting him know that the date he picked was fine. Yesterday was the fourth email and I all I wrote was just to confirm that he''s still ok for Sunday. I''d be the first to admit if I was overly persistant but I really haven''t. I only rang today in case he didn''t see the email yesterday. Things seem to get booked so quick in Ireland (four photographers I emailed were already booked for my date) that it''s just annoying.

 

[surfgirl]

Well when you just rang him and he answered, did you talk to him and what did he say?

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

From the sounds of it, it almost seems like he has another option on the same day that might pay better and is waiting for them to decide.
If you are really set on this guy, how about having your FI call him? Then you aren''t the pushy one and he is more likely to answer the calls and start planning something.

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/21/2008 1:53:50 PM
Author: surfgirl
Well when you just rang him and he answered, did you talk to him and what did he say?

No I was immature and just hung up

. I was speaking to D and he thinks that we should just leave it if he doesn't get back to us. Part of it is that I'd like to see if he does ring me back.

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/21/2008 1:54:07 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
From the sounds of it, it almost seems like he has another option on the same day that might pay better and is waiting for them to decide.

If you are really set on this guy, how about having your FI call him? Then you aren''t the pushy one and he is more likely to answer the calls and start planning something.

Yeah I might say that to D. He has meetings all day tomorrow though on site so it would probably be next week that he could contact them. Yeah he could be waiting for someone else to get back to him though.

 

[ringster]

Date: 2/21/2008 1:54:07 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
From the sounds of it, it almost seems like he has another option on the same day that might pay better and is waiting for them to decide.

If you are really set on this guy, how about having your FI call him? Then you aren''t the pushy one and he is more likely to answer the calls and start planning something.

good thought BIH!

and bee, i totally don''t think you are a bridezilla! so i hope you aren''t offended - just from the way this guy is acting he is treating you like one when you are totally not. but i didn''t think about him having another option and just trying to stall you. but even if he had another option he should be up front with you about it and be more responsive. i totally feel for your frustration!

you know, i totally forgot that my photog was also not good about getting back to me initially. i scheduled an appt with her via email and didn''t get a confirmation and so i called her the day before the meeting and asked if she was still available to meet. once meeting with her and seeing her work, she was number one on my list but the rapport was so-so. i really wanted it to work out though and happened to check her blog and felt that i got to know her a bit more and we managed to connect on certain things that she had blogged about and then the rapport was GREAT. don''t know what to tell you but hope that this works out for you since you love his work

 

[Delster]

Bee I know some people who work in photography and from what I''ve seen of how they run their businesses I am very surprised at this behaviour. Would you feel comfortable saying who it is and I could ask my peeps if they''re normally reliable? Will of course understand if you don''t want to do that though after complaining about him!

Maybe he really can''t talk today and when your call came through as a withheld number he answered it in case it was an emergency. That doesn''t at all defend his tardy emailing though, specially when he told you he prefers doing email. I''m sorry you''re getting the run-around, it''s really not good enough

 

[bee*]

No offence taken at all ringster!! I was just explaining that I really didn''t think that he could think of me as one after only four emails in nearly three months. That''s great that you have a great rapport with your photographer now-I definitely think that''s needed when they''re taking photos of such an important day.

Phew-this has been great therapy posting though-I feel so much better after venting and if needs be, I''m sure I''ll find another photographer.

 

[ringster]

Date: 2/21/2008 2:12:00 PM
Author: bee*
No offence taken at all ringster!!

whew! glad to hear that bee*

four emails in nearly three months.

three months! ok - that is just not right for him not to get back to you.

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/21/2008 2:10:51 PM
Author: Delster
Bee I know some people who work in photography and from what I''ve seen of how they run their businesses I am very surprised at this behaviour. Would you feel comfortable saying who it is and I could ask my peeps if they''re normally reliable? Will of course understand if you don''t want to do that though after complaining about him!


Maybe he really can''t talk today and when your call came through as a withheld number he answered it in case it was an emergency. That doesn''t at all defend his tardy emailing though, specially when he told you he prefers doing email. I''m sorry you''re getting the run-around, it''s really not good enough

Sorry Delster-think i was posting at the same time and didn''t see your post! I don''t really want to say who he is at this stage in case there''s a reason why he hasn''t replied. I was speaking to three videographers at the wedding fair a couple of weeks ago and they all said great things about him though and I''ve also spoken to girls that had him as their photographer and they recommended him.

It just bugs me as he told me to email him before tomorrow as he has a wedding tomorrow and Saturday so he wanted to organise it before then as he''d be busy and then he doesn''t reply

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/21/2008 2:24:36 PM
Author: ringster

Date: 2/21/2008 2:12:00 PM

Author: bee*

No offence taken at all ringster!!

whew! glad to hear that bee*

four emails in nearly three months.

three months! ok - that is just not right for him not to get back to you.

Yeah I know

. I was speaking to my dad so I decided that I''m going to give him benefit of the doubt until Sunday and then I''ll have to look for someone else.

 

[gtn]

sorry for all of your frustrations. I hope everything works out soon. It does sound like this guys is stalling maybe waiting for another offer.... You are going about it the right way. If you don''t get to meet with him and work something out by Sunday, move on. But while you are waiting, it doesn''t hurt to look for other photographers, you might find someone better.

 

[bee*]

thanks gtn! I took out the magazines again to have a peak through the photography sections. There has to be someone who fits the bill ....and responds to me

 

[gtn]

Bee, do you have a craigslist? There are a lot of mediocre photographers and some gems. I can''t hurt to look.

 

[bee*]

Buy and sell is kind of our craigslist I think. I''ll have a look there. One of our main wedding forums over here has lots of photographers on it so I''ll have to go through them. Ah it will work out in the end I''m sure. Maybe this guy just wasn''t meant to be!!

 

[teetee]

Hi bee*, I hate to say it but this photog''s unresponsiveness is not a good sign. Usually vendors are at their best when they are trying to get the deal. You don''t want to have to worry about whether or not he''s going to show up on your wedding day...is your venue also two hours away from the photog? You also should consider how much of a hassle it will be to get your files and albums created after the wedding if he is already not returning your calls.

I too spent a lot of time reviewing photog websites and blogs and now that I''ve booked mine, I still find myself looking at other photog links I come across and seem to find a lot of others'' work that I like. Now that''s not taking into account budget...but I guess what I''m saying is that I think you will be able to find someone else''s work that you like as much as this guy''s.

 

[bee*]

thank you teetee! I''m sure I will find another one whose style I like as much as this guys. You''re right though that if he''s like this now, I can only imagine what he''ll be like after the wedding when I''m trying to get photos back from him after the wedding. Think I''m going to start the search again.

 

[Maisie]

I know a wonderful photographer, well they are a couple actually. They live in Dorset, I know its a bit of a distance away but they do market themselves as covering the UK, not sure where you are (NI or Ireland). They covered my sisters wedding, her photos are amazing.

http://www.simpsonphotography.co.uk/