Ignored by photographer?

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 2:54:46 PM
Author: lovelylulu
it sounds like you should also be looking for a new photographer.

you'll find a vendor that works!

I'm looking around, just in case. I told FH that if everything sounds good on the phone, we'll proceed. If he gets a weird feeling from them, then we'll find someone else.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/30/2006 2:47:34 PM
Author: EBree

No, they never had a problem getting back to me until they upped their rates considerably! The reason I became paranoid is because someone on The Knot told me that she was in this exact same situation. She was quoted a certain price, emailed them after they upped their rates (unknowingly), and was ignored. Finally, when she called, they told her that her date, on a Friday night over a year away, was taken. Please. They just didn't want her business because she wasn't paying what they wanted, even though she was willing to pay what they originally quoted. Her situation sounds eerily familiar.

Ok. Well, given that new piece of the puzzle, I'd likely drop trying to get a reply from them and just move on.

If you already know of someone else who's has reliability issues with them, why bother?

Incidentally, you mentioned that regardless of adjustments to her packages before, she was still out of your price range. Have you decided to expand your budget? If yes, did you mention that in your emails?

I ask because you're thinking pricing is part of the reason for no response. Does this mean they knew they were out of your price range at the time? If so, this might be part of the problem. If they knew you couldn't afford them at the time, and they don't realize something's changed, that could be behind it.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 8/30/2006 2:47:34 PM
Author: EBree

No, they never had a problem getting back to me until they upped their rates considerably! The reason I became paranoid is because someone on The Knot told me that she was in this exact same situation. She was quoted a certain price, emailed them after they upped their rates (unknowingly), and was ignored. Finally, when she called, they told her that her date, on a Friday night over a year away, was taken. Please. They just didn't want her business because she wasn't paying what they wanted, even though she was willing to pay what they originally quoted. Her situation sounds eerily familiar.

Well THAT thickens the soup in the pot!!! Let us know what your FI finds out! (But that is pure BS in my opinion...if anyone treated me that way, they wouldn't deserve my business!...or anyone's business within shouting distance.

)

 

[Mara]

honestly why is all this energy being expended on an obviously unreliable photographer? fake emails, other emails, should i call, someone else is calling...etc.

i would have moved on a long time ago. just find someone new. i wouldn't even bother with some last email or phone call. they obviously DON'T CARE what you think of them.

and i'd post on the knot saying the same thing happened to you. at least future brides won't be wasting their time trying to work with these people.

ETA: nevermind the last part, i see it wasn't the same photographer. but still...too much time expended on someone who obviously doesn't care about you or your wedding. that's the important thing to take away from this.

 

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 3:02:57 PM
Author: aljdewey

Ok. Well, given that new piece of the puzzle, I'd likely drop trying to get a reply from them and just move on.

If you already know of someone else who's has reliability issues with them, why bother?

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear...the girl from The Knot didn't have problems with the same photographer, her situation just sounded familiar.

I guess I don't have much of a reason to think they're ignoring me, given email filtering. I just assumed that if my emails weren't being filtered before, then why now?

At least everything will be straightened out by end of lunchtime.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/30/2006 3:08:56 PM
Author: EBree


I''m sorry, I wasn''t clear...the girl from The Knot didn''t have problems with the same photographer, her situation just sounded familiar.

I guess I don''t have much of a reason to think they''re ignoring me, given email filtering. I just assumed that if my emails weren''t being filtered before, then why now?

At least everything will be straightened out by end of lunchtime.

It''s not even the same photographer?!?!?!!??!?!

Honestly, you''ve spent three times the energy second guessing this than you would have to just call and get it straight.

Either way, I think maybe another vendor would better suit what you''re looking for. Good luck.

 

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 3:15:57 PM
Author: aljdewey

It's not even the same photographer?!?!?!!??!?!



Honestly, you've spent three times the energy second guessing this than you would have to just call and get it straight.

Either way, I think maybe another vendor would better suit what you're looking for. Good luck.

We're calling! Geez! I don't know where everyone's getting the idea that I've wasted all this energy. Typing replies in a thread I started late yesterday and asking my FH to call hasn't burned the calories in a carrot stick.

Oh, and if I wasn't so picky about photography, I would have moved on a while ago. Alas, we're on a budget and this photographer is good.

 

[Gypsy]

You seem to be doing fine with confrontation from what I see Ebree... lol.

 

[SoonIHope]

EBree, I know I''m late piping in, but I just wanted to say I 100% empathize with you!! We have an almost identical situation with a possible caterer (we love her in every respect other than her email response time), and I KNOW that if we just called her (which we''re planning to do this weekend) then we could actually get a live answer from her, but email is just so much easier, and she''ll probably be quicker to reply during the off season and when my wedding is closer etc...but we''re just trying to determine if the whole email thing is worth not hiring her over. ICK. Good luck on your call and let us know how it goes!!!

 

[Mara]

ebree, it''s more the mental energy. it''s obviously consuming your mind...and it''s not fun. which is a drag.

good luck!

 

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 3:30:40 PM
Author: albicocca
EBree, I know I''m late piping in, but I just wanted to say I 100% empathize with you!! We have an almost identical situation with a possible caterer (we love her in every respect other than her email response time), and I KNOW that if we just called her (which we''re planning to do this weekend) then we could actually get a live answer from her, but email is just so much easier, and she''ll probably be quicker to reply during the off season and when my wedding is closer etc...but we''re just trying to determine if the whole email thing is worth not hiring her over. ICK. Good luck on your call and let us know how it goes!!!

Good luck with your situation too, albi! Email is much easier for me too, since I''m not only planning long distance, but I have a hectic schedule (last couple quarters in college!) and don''t have the time to sit down and chat with a vendor. When I''ve talked to my caterer in the past (the one that hates email), we''ve had hour long conversations! I don''t have time to do that with all my vendors, especially not this early in the game.

 

[JessaJS]

I am curious to hear what they have to say. Regardlessof what they have to say, though, you''re probably better off getting a different photographer. I know I had my heart set on a super expensive one and just recently happened upon a GREAT and CHEAP young married couple, so have faith, sometimes good ones drop in your lap.

I hate when vendors aren''t responsive about things. Especially if you''ve had contact with them in the past, there''s no excuse. Seems like some aren''t that great about responding to messages (phone, e-mail, etc.) If they aren''t responding when they haven''t gotten your money yet, that''s probably a bad sign - imagine how they''d act when they weren''t trying to "impress" you!

Good Luck and keep us posted!!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/30/2006 3:30:28 PM
Author: Gypsy
You seem to be doing fine with confrontation from what I see Ebree... lol.

Gypsy, I''m really not trying to be confrontational. I''m trying to help....or I was.

I don''t understand why one would assume anything especially if you really want to work with someone. Assuming the worst doesn''t seem to get the working relationship off to a good start. Even if the photog says "yes, I''ll do it" at this point, is that doubt going to creep back up down the line?

As far as the whole "I don''t have time to work with my wedding vendors" goes, don''t know how to reply to that one. If it''s important, you make time for it. It doesn''t take an hour conversation to call and say (live or in VM) "hey, do you want to work on my event or not?" The phone call itself actually takes less time than making several posts about it.

 

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 4:04:04 PM
Author: aljdewey

Gypsy, I'm really not trying to be confrontational. I'm trying to help....or I was.


I don't understand why one would assume anything especially if you really want to work with someone. Assuming the worst doesn't seem to get the working relationship off to a good start. Even if the photog says 'yes, I'll do it' at this point, is that doubt going to creep back up down the line?

As far as the whole 'I don't have time to work with my wedding vendors' goes, don't know how to reply to that one. If it's important, you make time for it. It doesn't take an hour conversation to call and say (live or in VM) 'hey, do you want to work on my event or not?' The phone call itself actually takes less time than making several posts about it.

I didn't say that I didn't have time to work with my wedding vendors, I said I much prefer an email because a quick "hey, want to work on my event" call could stretch far longer than I have time for. Each time I called my caterer, I was calling to ask her a question, and we'd end up talking about other brides' weddings. I have absolutely no problem calling a vendor that hates to email, but if I've been in contact through email with a vendor before, I expect that's how we'll be talking until we need to discuss something seriously (i.e. either we're talking money, or it's a week before the wedding). Since I'm on the computer a lot, shooting a quick email is much easier than calling, especially since my vendors are in a different time zone.

I can see why my hesitance to pick up the phone was frustrating to some, but the situation appears to have been solved. FH called the photographer, and apparently, she was very sweet and pretty apologetic about not emailing me back. I should be receiving an email shortly regarding what I should do next reg. the contract.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/30/2006 4:04:04 PM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 8/30/2006 3:30:28 PM
Author: Gypsy
You seem to be doing fine with confrontation from what I see Ebree... lol.

Gypsy, I''m really not trying to be confrontational. I''m trying to help....or I was.

I don''t understand why one would assume anything especially if you really want to work with someone. Assuming the worst doesn''t seem to get the working relationship off to a good start. Even if the photog says ''yes, I''ll do it'' at this point, is that doubt going to creep back up down the line?

As far as the whole ''I don''t have time to work with my wedding vendors'' goes, don''t know how to reply to that one. If it''s important, you make time for it. It doesn''t take an hour conversation to call and say (live or in VM) ''hey, do you want to work on my event or not?'' The phone call itself actually takes less time than making several posts about it.

Aldj, I didn''t mean it that way. The situation became a confrontational one... and Ebree was going with it. Actually she was being confrontational (and I don''t mean that in a bad way)... and I know she doesn''t feel comfortable in that role normally. So I was just pointing out that she is capable of doing it, and doing it well. That''s all. Should probably have just kept quiet.

 

[aljdewey]

Did she tell him why she hadn''t answered?

 

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 5:41:15 PM
Author: aljdewey
Did she tell him why she hadn''t answered?

I asked him the same question, and no, she didn''t say why. He said she just apologized 5 or 6 times. She also told him she''d email me all the information I need, but it''s 15 minutes until close of business day and...nothing yet. I guess I''ll give it until the end of the week in case she needs time to get everything together.

 

[Mara]

so you're still considering using her then??

if she becomes unresponsive again, i'd address it specifically, because you surely don't want her becoming a space cadet on your wedding day like forgetting to show up!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I''m chiming in late here.

Just want to say that Girl, photogs are a dime a dozen. I know that you really like this one, and it would suck to have to start over. But I know that the AWESOME PSers will help you find a new photographer!

 

[E B]

Date: 8/30/2006 6:30:41 PM
Author: Mara
so you''re still considering using her then??


if she becomes unresponsive again, i''d address it specifically, because you surely don''t want her becoming a space cadet on your wedding day like forgetting to show up!

I''m still considering her, but I already feel discouraged...FH told me she said she''d email me the information today, and she didn''t. Hopefully I''ll have it tomorrow, and if she does come through, I''ll absolutely address any spaciness she might show in the future.

It won''t be easy, but I''ll do it. Photography is too important!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/30/2006 5:44:34 PM
Author: EBree

Date: 8/30/2006 5:41:15 PM
Author: aljdewey
Did she tell him why she hadn''t answered?

I asked him the same question, and no, she didn''t say why. He said she just apologized 5 or 6 times. She also told him she''d email me all the information I need, but it''s 15 minutes until close of business day and...nothing yet. I guess I''ll give it until the end of the week in case she needs time to get everything together.

This concerns me more than anything. She should have offered some reason for why she didn''t get back to you along with the apology.

If she doesn''t email the information by tomorrow, I''d strongly suggest dropping her in favor of someone else. If you call someone out for being unresponsive, and the very next thing they do is fail a commitment, they don''t give a crap about your business and you cannot reasonably count on them.

You''re right - photography is too important, and to me, that means it''s far too important to entrust it to someone who can''t keep her word.

 

[Jelly]

DROP HER!

She''s a joke! Totally unprofessional and unreliable. Do you really want someone this flakey taking pictures at your wedding? That''s a huge responsibility and you don''t want her screwing up!

 

[dani13]

EBree-

You know what you have to do....move on!!! Take your business to someone that 1) appreciates it, and 2) someone that you dont have to constantly keep checking up on and worry about showing up on your wedding day. This is the LAST thing you need...Like someone else said, photographers are a dime a dozen- there is surely someone else out there that you are going to find whose style you love and hopefully conducts their business more professionally...

Just let it go- who knows why she didn''t call you back...regardless,you should now focus your energy on finding someone new!

Good luck!

 

[allycat0303]

Yeesh. It seems like a blow off to me. Maybe the girl isn''t intrested, but doesn''t want to just say so, and instead is trying to let it die a long agnoizing death. Honestly, if this is how they do business, then I don''t even WANT TO IMAGINE if you''re going to be able to sleep once you''ve booked them. She might decide to be "unresponsive" at your wedding. Ebree, this is not a good sign, seriously consider walking away!

 

[E B]

Well, yesterday I started looking for new photographers, just in case. I took down 5 new names (websites), emailed three, and I had replies from all 3 in my mailbox this morning (one from last night)! Now that's what I call service. No email from her, which I figured she'd make a priority.

So, I'm walking away. In good news, the new photographers I've found fit into our budget PERFECTLY. I feel good about finding someone else, someone that cares (and most importantly, someone that won't forget to show up!).

Thanks for being patient with me. I'm going to need serious opinions on some finalists soon, and I'd love it if you "tough love" ladies would share yours.

 

[lovelylulu]

Hurray!

I know that it''s tough letting something that seems so *perfect* go - but i think you made the right decision

and you''ve already found other fabulous photogs!!

 

[E B]

Date: 8/31/2006 12:24:55 PM
Author: lovelylulu

and you've already found other fabulous photogs!!

I might have already found *the one*! She said she's going to email me her prices...fingers crossed I can afford her. Her work is awesome! I'm so excited!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 8/31/2006 12:29:54 PM
Author: EBree

Date: 8/31/2006 12:24:55 PM
Author: lovelylulu

and you''ve already found other fabulous photogs!!

I might have already found *the one*! She said she''s going to email me her prices...fingers crossed I can afford her. Her work is awesome! I''m so excited!

see it was meant to be!! can''t wait to see the new photographer''s style! do share details.

 

[Mara]

congrats ebree on taking the power back into your own hands gal!!!

lol re: the tough love ladies...it''s like having a bunch of sisters you really never wanted right?

 

[E B]

Date: 8/31/2006 12:38:30 PM
Author: Mara

LOL! Absolutely.

JCrow- I should have details soon. I'm trying not to get too excited just in case I can't afford her!