Dear Readers,
Many hotels, private clubs and catering halls have what is called a “Preferred Vendor List“. If you are on that list, you are lucky. If you’re not, well, you could easily lose jobs. I had two very bad experiences with venues who utilized this practice.
The first was with a very well-known hotel with a manager who suggested that I pay 10% of my decoration fee to the hotel. If I refused, I would not be able to work there. I mentioned this to my client who was as frustrated as I was, and she let the hotel know it. The manager in question retaliated by badmouthing my company so badly that I still refuse to take clients to the venue.
The second case was even more insulting. I recommended a specific venue to a client only to have the manager treat me rudely and tell me the only reason he allowed me to work there was because I was Preston Bailey. I was so taken aback (and so angry) that I took my client elsewhere.
In my opinion, there are two reasons a venue uses a preferred vendor list:
1. They like working with vendors who take care of their venues (a good reason).
2. There is some kind of money passing hands in order to “make the list” (a not so noble reason).
In both cases, I feel bad for the talented folks (and those starting out) who do not have the opportunity to showcase their talents in these particular venues as a result of this practice.
What is your opinion on the matter? Have you ever been forbidden from working at a venue?
Please share your thoughts and experiences.
Blessings,
Preston
(Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria)
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Mishka
October 22, 2012
Yes, it’s common practice for hotels in destination areas in Mexico to shut-out vendors and it has nothing to do with not taking care of the venue but everything to do with referral fees, commissions, etc. Personally, hotels are not my favorite venues because it takes forever to get permission to do anything outside of a cookie box and I love doing things that are creative and unique for my brides and grooms. I don’t like the bureaucracy that exists at many of the large resorts. Although I’m coming to learn that not all resorts are that way – there are some resorts who really do seem to care about their clients and are not just in it for a fast quick wedding buck. My clients and their wedding mean everything to me and I prefer to work with vendors who feel the same way
.
Stephen
October 23, 2012
I am a florist in New Orleans ans I am on the preferred vendor list with many hotels and country clubs. I do not now or have I ever offered or paid a commission or a kick back. I feel very luck that I was able to gain access to all of these locations and show our abilities. It was from happy clients and proper care of the facilities that got our name on the list. We still get calls form other places asking us if we offer a commission or payment for being recommended and we always say no. We loose job for our policy bur not jobs we would have wanted. We are recommended by wedding planners and coordinators for our fit with their clients. I feel fortunate to be in the position I am in. It has taken 12 years of hard work to get here. Thanks for the Post..
Angie
November 3, 2012
This is an ongoing burr under my skin…Andy Ebon has been writing about this topic for quite some time….see his comments here:
http://weddingmarketing.net/2012/10/18/in-house-wedding-banquet-brochures-5/
kivilcim
November 12, 2012
in my city there are a lot of internationally well knowned hotels. and because of the commission issue we are not on their preferred venue list. paying commission to the hotels seems so nonsense to me. thanks a lot mentioning about this subject.