The last thing I ever want to do in my profession is disappoint people. Today I disappointed 5!Well it actually wasn't my fault.
People who visit my website are given the option to request a quote for services. The quote is instant and actually shows you the price right on the same page! This is based on the additional services requested along with the "base" price for up to 5 hours of entertainment. There are a lot of nuances to hiring Wedding Entertainment so I suggest that we meet to make sure it is a good match. People are surprised to learn that I am interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing me. The process takes some time and therefore I am able to "hold" dates for prospective customers that I know to be genuine.
In the case of the Photo Booth Rental quotes it is straight forward, here are the times and options, here's the price for the request. Happens instantly right in front of them. Often there are price shoppers and they are never heard from again. No sweat. I too price shop to ensure the best deal.
Every now and then though you get someone you know is serious and is making the decision to use my service or another. They contact us and ask questions and then....
NOTHING
I follow up with a polite email asking if I can help them make a decision by answering any questions they may have and...
NOTHING
and then there comes an inquiry for the same date, same times and POOF! The request for the contract follows immediately (you can do this whole thing right from the same screen!) and VOILA! the deposit is paid by credit card online and if that was the last open slot I have the unsavory job of sending emails to all those who just didn't act.
I sent 5 of these today. I hate hitting send on these because I get emails like this one...
"I regret to inform you that we no longer have a Photo Booth available for your event. As you know we operate on a first come, first served basis and our automated system just took a reservation for another event on your date. We are always expanding and adding equipment and should another booth become available we will contact you. We hope that we can provide Photo Booth service for another event in the future...."
" NOOOOO! We had no idea that the date would fill-up almost a year in advance. Isn't there some way that you could take our deposit since we made the first request? Please help us out. You guys are so much cheaper than every other company in Rochester. We had made our decision we just sort of forgot"I would love to be able to help everyone that makes an inquiry. I would love to hold dates indefinitely but I have a limited number of Booths to rent (Adding more all the time) and MONEY TALKS! You snooze, you..well you get the picture.
If you have made up your mind about a vendor for your event GET PROACTIVE! Get in touch and MAKE THAT DEPOSIT! Many of us, myself included only contact inquiries 2 or 3 times because we don't want to seem pushy. I can't stand pushy sales people and I WON'T be one!
Don't let complacency put the services you want out of your reach. Having trouble getting the deposit together? Call the vendor and see if they will work with you by reserving the date and taking several payments over a period of time. You'd be surprised how flexible they can be. And don't assume that you can put off the decision making process.
I have BOOKINGS for Wedding Entertainment and Photo Booths in 2010! Deposits are paid, and those customers don't have to worry they have the peace of mind of knowing no one can jump their claim on their date!
I hate disappointing people!
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