Florist News

I've just had a Father of the bride on the phone regarding final payment. He thinks its unusual to pay upfront for something (he's in the building trade so probably used to 90 day terms) He's paid 15% up front and wanted to pay another 50 odd % now with the remainder payable on the big day. I usually ask for final balance two weeks before the day to make sure the all payments are cleared. Theres no way I'm going to approach someone for money on the day and I'm not chasing it afterwards. Does everyone do similar, never been questioned about it before. I feel like a money grabbing witch now!!

In my business (event management) its usual to have majority of billing done and paid before the event with the balance invoiced afterwards - but that's only because there could be last minute variables in the cost of the job e.g. expenses - plus its long established clients with repeat business that I normally work with.

I would say - and this is what I am doing on the floristry side - is to have a bare minimum 5-10% outstanding to be paid within 7 days of the wedding. Agree it could be a pain to chase up though.

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www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk

Hmmm. Interesting. Thanks Tree. I think the problem is people don't like paying for things once they've actually had them. The last person I gave credit to took a month to pay up. P***ed me right off!

Alice we have a simular policy the only differance is that the final bill has to be paid by 5 days before the wedding, we have also had remarks and we still feel its the best thing to do or else we have to wait for the money forever, I understand that the client is worried that the service will not be what they ordered but if you are honest, then you would know if it is your mistake and then you would refund them.Why do we have to trust them and they cant trust us?

sod that, what if they decided not to pay for whatever reason - then you lose out with the cost of flowers and labour. We ask for balances one month before the wedding, if I'm feeling generous or if it's a small wedding I'll let them get away with two weeks but I don't think I would ever, ever, ever say someone could pay on the day.

The more I think about it, I reckon you should stick to your guns and insist on payment in full beforehand - Ann's suggestion of 5 days prior, sounds reasonable. Its ok if you're a big business and have accounts dept to chase money afterwards but not for a small business working with one-off clients. The wedding I am doing is for someone I know very well which is why I thought ok for the balance afterwards.

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www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk

I think my worry is that if they pay by cheque and it bounces or whatever you're a bit stuffed. Like ann said, if they weren't happy then I'd sort it accordingly as its my reputation and bad news travels fast! Tree, it was a friend I gave credit too that took a month to pay!! We live and learn eh?! Thanks everyone.

with cheque we say that it has to be cleared by 5 days before

The last time i was involved in a wedding for a friend of a friend. i didn't ask for a deposit as it didn't seem necessary. 4 days before the wedding (after i'd ordered the flowers), i had a message on the answerphone that she'd decided to let her best friend do the flowers (after i'd told her exectly how it would be done). Never again thankfully.

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I don't like these horror stories about friends of friends. That's it - complete U turn from me - payment in full beforehand. Haven't discussed payment terms yet so she'll be none the wiser! Thanks.

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www.treesfloraldesign.co.uk