We paid a small deposit on a local florist last year but since then, she's closed her shop and is now working from home. To her credit, she did tell us this when we met her and before we paid a deposit but now, it's increasingly difficult to get hold of her. I emailed her back in December saying in the new year we'd like to pop by to go over exactly what we'd like but no reply. I then phoned to speak to her and no reply so I've left a couple of messages with no response. I emailed again on 23rd Jan but again there is still no reply. We also popped round to her house but there was no-one there last week so I phoned my Grandma today (lives in the same town, sees her quite a lot) to see if she knew anything and has said that she hasn't seen her recently when normally she bumps into her regularly! We would expect some sort of reply given that we've tried to contact her particularly as we are booked out pretty much every month so time is limited so we are both getting a little concerned understandably. We've looked into local florists in case (not contacted them yet though) we are going to need them but what do you suggest we do? Thanks x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Oh dear, I hope she is okay, not ill or maybe she's on holiday?
Pop a note through her door and give her a deadline to get back to you by. Do you have a contract agreement? Also send her the same message by email to make sure she gets it.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorFlossie
I would be tempted to just cut your losses and go with someone else. There is only so many times you can try to contact someone.. It's not even your place to chase her, if your custom is important to her she should respond in a timely manner! She might have a good reason but that doesn't help you.
You just don't want to leave it too late and end up struggling to get hold of flowers because every one else is booked up. X
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
Maybe she is in her hols, now you e asked your nan if she has seen her around she will keep an eye out, if she sees her she can let you know. If not, maybe have in the back of your mind that you will need to go elsewhere, but I would certainly look into claiming the money back from her if she makes no contact,
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorCatherineR
We only paid a £10 deposit so that is something we could avoid to loose but we are concerned. We haven't heard anything since the beginning of December which is about 2 months now so it's a very long holiday if so! We've tried all the usual channels so we are having a look at others but there's not many that are local due to being in the countryside :/
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
I would start looking into other options if I were you though, it doesn't really fill you with confidence. I have contacted my flower lady today and our transport and bearing in mind it is a Sunday they have both replied straight away.
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
That's fortunate it is a small deposit and can be lost if need be. Try to make further contact in case she has issues of a personal nature, if she does not then maybe look elsewhere
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Lucky its a small deposit.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Still no contact from them so I sent off emails to 5 local florists this evening. Less than half an hour since I emailed them all and already we have had one come back to us arranging a consultation and going away to look at costings for us. That's more like it! If she gets back to us (which I doubt) by the end of February then we'll see but I don't think she will unfortunately :/ Right decision to look into alternatives?
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorElizabethF49
Aww catherine thats rubbish, hope you find a new one you both like and can give you a good price
After 7 years and 11 months he proposed to me 18.10.13
Our son is 5 years old and our world
Getting married 15.08.15.
Life hasnt been easy but we have each other :)
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Yeah it sucks but luckily there are others around thankfully. The one that has replied is in my hometown and helpfully based on the same road as my parents house!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorDonnaH39
I think you have def done the right thing looking for alternatives. The fact that there aren't many around where you are only means that the one's there are less likely to be available the longer you leave it.
CommentAuthorCatherineR
That's what I thought really. In the 20 miles radius going north, south, east or west, there are only 5 so we need to step on it if this falls through!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
Well done on the searching, let's hope you gave more luck this time
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Got another two replies so that's three out of the five so we should be ok hopefully :)
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
That's good you are getting replies from people so quickly.
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorDonnaH39
I think it's amazing how quickly people get back to you these days, it's amazing how people who are bad at contacting you manage to run businesses
CommentAuthorCatherineR
It is - some are great but others, oh dear is all I can say!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorFlossie
You've definitely done the right thing. The original lady might have a perfectly legitimate reason, but without any contact for her, how is that supposed to help you or settle your nerves? x
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Sometime interesting came to light this morning from one of the other florists - she couldn't do our wedding but recommended a freelance florist with the same name but with completely different phone number. Coincidence? It's certainly not helping my nerves! In our area, it seems a bit off given how few people are around :/ x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorAprilS61
I hadn't seen this earlier, so I would have agreed to look elsewhere while being concerned regarding your original florist.
Although, how very strange?! Maybe you should give her a call and find out! X
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorCatherineR
I did think about that but I wouldn't recognize her voice and don't want to sound accusing or nuts!! x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorAprilS61
haha fair enough! Maybe just give her a call anyway for a wuote in general or text and ask, even it's it's not her she would understand you asking and probably do the same! X
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Got an email back from another florist - with everything including more than we asked for at original florist (£400), we've got a £262 quote!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
Ahhhh that's fab, you going to wait the others to come back before agreeing with it?
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorTeresa
oh wow! thats great, i would just go with that then as its saving you a fortune :) and you have contact which is good x
CommentAuthorKatieH
The new quote is fab. You've Def done the right thing looking elsewhere, it's stress you don't need leading up to your wedding x
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorCatherineR
We are waiting until the end of the month and then decide as we've had several others come back to us but I would say we will be going elsewhere. My Grandma was surprised when I said she hadn't bothered to get back to us. It's a shame really as she's really good but we can't be doing with this! x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorWelshBrideBethan2015
I think giving it to end of month is sensible and having other options is good. Really hope they get in touch :)
Somehow always connected , finally became friends .
Friends became soul mates :)
Engaged 6th July 2013
<3 <3 Married my best friend 11/7/2015 <3 <3
CommentAuthorFlossie
Oh wow that's a fab quote. Maybe a blessing in disguise that she seems to have gone AWOL x
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Sounds like things are coming together, hope you can book someone else, especially that one with the lower quote.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorKatieH
Everything happens for a reason ;) x
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorAprilS61
New quote is promising! Now just to see if anyone can beat that before the end of the month! x
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Indeed, it may well have been :) had another one through for £400, ummm no thanks! Looking like 3 front runners atm so we'll have to go and visit at the end of the month! x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorInDreamland
I agree, all things happen for a good reason, you'll get something better x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorEmily17
That's q fab price. Have you seen her work?
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorclairenina
edited
£10 is still £10, do you have a receipt? If other people have paid deposits, then potentially that's alot of people walking away from money she can't rightfully keep without fulfilling what you paid the deposit for. I know as brides though, it can be a very busy and stressful time (and many would say they have better things to do), but if it was me, I would pursue getting it back on principle.
I would look for someone else in the meantime, but I would also want my money back.
CommentAuthorAprilS61
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorRebeccaH304
I agree with clairenina - it might only be £10 (which in the wedding scheme of things might not be a lot) but it's still £10 and it was paid to her in good faith. Why should she keep it if she's not providing you with the service she promised? The most important thing is to get your flowers sorted and it sounds like you've got some really good options but I would also consider pursuing your original florist if only to get some closure.
CommentAuthorCatherineR
We are doing our best to chase her up to no avail. At the moment, we've got a lot going on at home so I haven't tried in a while but I'll get back on it soon!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorAprilS61
Hope things start to pick up for you x
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorAmandaK74
Glad youve sorted the issue with a back up plan, good job your organised Catherine I hate for anything like that to happen to us, luckily so far all is going to plan for us, but maybe I should begin to trace things up and double check our bookings just in case
met 11th December 2010
engaged 2nd August 2013
getting married to the love of my life 11th july 2015
CommentAuthorRebeccaH304
I really feel for you- I'm sure you could without any added stress in addition to organising everything else! Yes it's definitely a good thing you're so organised
CommentAuthorCatherineR
I sent a load of emails after new year in a general way saying hope they had good christmases/welcomed the new year in and if they are still on track for the wedding alongside asking when the next step is needed. We've had a few snags but starting to level out. The florist has finally replied via text saying her email address has changed which seems weird as she didn't reply to the email I sent through her website either. We are nervous about using her now given the lack of communication. No apology or anything either :/ x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorErinV
I wouldn't blame you for losing confidence in her. Now that she's back in contact perhaps explain you worries and that your unhappy with the service and want your deposit back. I think I would worry she might do it again, especially as she didn't give you a reason or apology.
CommentAuthorKirstyR386
I don't think I would go with her anymore. The communication hasn't been good enough and if she changes contact details she should let current clients know. The new quote you have sounds great espech if you're getting more for it so I would go meet the new florist and make sure you like their work then go for it and contact the other lady saying you've changed your mind and would like your money back. X
CommentAuthorCatherineR
It's more the fact that she hasn't even bothered to let any of her clients know! Another tricky situation is that she knows my Grandma quite well and it was actually down to her seeing her in town that made her contact us so I wouldn't want to make it difficult for her if we did use someone else :/ x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorEmily17
If your not happy with her don't use here. We had a venue appointment cancelled because someone forgot to put it in the diary and the manager then booked a holiday. We have said were not going to rebook because we can't trust them to remember the small details.. That's my thoughts at least, you need to be able to trust your suppliers on the day and sounds a bit iffy this one...
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorCatherineR
That's our feelings too unfortunately :( we are finishing degrees, moving house, finding jobs, applying for courses and getting married in the space of 4 months so we don't need something like this! x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorCatherineR
We need to be able to trust our suppliers, know they'll do a good job, turn up and be able to communicate. Basic requirements I would have thought!
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
