Vendors Are People Too!

We are two girls from Brides N Blooms and we are vendors. We admit it freely, and as such, it is our ‘job’ to be there to answer your calls and emails. It is our pleasure to help you decide what is going to work for you in terms of flowers and it is our choice to go that extra mile for you. Now, even though a client may not think of us as such, (especially when they are caught up in their own world of planning or last minute nervousness), we are actually just plain people with our own lives. We have bills, worries, problems, responsibilities, household chores and all the rest that most everyone has.

As things go with both us girls, we basically have simple needs: coffee/tea, a shower, internet service, a car, a phone, a meal now and again and just maybe, some sleep… and we can usually meet most of our own needs. There is one thing though that we would really appreciate from others;

We would like some understanding and common courtesy.

It takes time to work on all the little details you want us to research for you, to get pictures that best describe what we are doing for you, to go back and forth with emails or talk with you either in person or on the phone. It takes time to write up those quotes. No matter whether it is the 1st quote or the 4th, they all take time. And yes, all of this is part of our ‘job’, but it is time that we give and do not get paid for. We understand and accept this part of what we do. There is no question that if we’re asked to help, we will, willingly, genuinely, & whole heartedly do so in any way we can. So, really, we don’t think that we’re asking for a lot in return. Just a simple “Thank-you” can make all the difference in the world. If you choose not to use us as your vendor, that’s really OK, but, If we have spent multiple hours, going over what you might want or need, easing over the worry spots, helping you make decisions that you had no idea you had to make, then creating those quotes, at least, if nothing else, let us know that you’ve decided to not go forward with us. Call or email and tell us “I’m sorry” I’ve decided to go with someone else. We won’t be mad, or upset. If you say “Thank-you” for spending all those hours with me, and I appreciate your time, or I know that your time is valuable, we will be more than okay with that. We’d feel that at least you valued our service and the time devoted to you.

Everyone who is in a job or position to serve the public is also a living, breathing, human being and  it is NOT OK treat them, or anyone for that matter, poorly, or discourteously. In our opinion it is also not kind to ignore people. If something isn’t right, it’s okay to step up and say something, but please, say it with grace, say it with a constructive edge, say it with kindness. It could be simply that the other person just didn’t understand what you really wanted or needed.

And just to be clear about us vendors in general, our time is as valuable as anyone else’s. If you really aren’t sure you are going to use or need our services, let us know that from the outset. We’ll still help you every bit as much as we can. On the other hand, it’s not fair to call at the last minute, beg for help, and then just forget that we jumped through hoops to get you what you wanted. If you’ve changed your mind, that’s okay, but you should know we care about you, we even worry about your issue and it’s important to us that your event is every bit as wonderful as you hope it will be.

So I ask… be courteous and say thank- you, no matter what the outcome or decision. Those two little words go a long way. We believe it is a common courtesy, something that our parents used to teach us was important. (Though what has happened to our society that we have forgotten it, is something I just don’t understand.)

Please, the next time you make that call, remember to be kind. That vendor/service personnel on the other end of the phone is a Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Husband, Wife,  Aunt, Uncle, Grandmother, Grandfather, Friend, Confidant, to someone in this world…A real live human being with value and feelings, who is ready and willing to help you

*now, Thank- you for reading this blog! Go, have yourself a caring, loving, wholesale flower filled day!