Do you let vendors know you decided...

to go w/ another vendor?

Is there any protocol or etiquette for this? I try not to sign on the spot, but then I feel bad if I leave and go w/ another vendor.

Am I obligated to call them back and let them know? Or, do they just know it is the nature of the industry???

I don't want to be rude, but it seems like a lot of work to backtrack!

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

depends on the vendor, if it was a bigger more corporate type vendor i generally didn't, for smaller, independent people i did

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

If you meet with many vendors for one thing (photo, RH, etc.) then I wouldn't bother. But if you spend a lot of time with one or two vendors and you imply that you are going to use them and then decide to change your mind, I think it would be extra polite to tell them. I don't think it's expected but I am sure it's appreciated.

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

I met w/ a ton of vendors and never let them know I booked with a competitor. Its none of their business. Its not like you are going to hurt their FEELINGS!.

Business is business. Go with the vendor that offers you what you want, at the price you want, and for the style you want. Its just that simple!

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

thank you for asking this question!! i keep getting calls from this one vendor 'confirming' the wedding details even though we never even met and haven't spoken for months...and i keep forgetting to deal with it...so thanks for reminding me!!

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

I'm thinking it might be courteous just to shoot out an email, although I assume they realize it once they don't hear back.

I guess I just fear a bidding war...

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

I always let someone know when I'm not using them out of sheer courtesy. You don't have to explain why if you don't want to, but I'm always just honest.

On a NWR note, my SIL was trying to plan an interstate move and asked me to get her quotes. I spent hours on the phone getting quotes from 8 different companies. She then decided not to move the stuff until her husband is back from afghanistan and his tour is over (totally understandable). I called every single person back to tell them she's not doing the move anymore (and to ask them to take me off their lists of people to call).

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

I have always let the vendors we met with that we decided to go with someone else.

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

I did for the invitations because I bought samples from a few vendors. When they followed up with me, I told them that ultimately we decided to go with someone else.

Also for the bridesmaid dresses. I made an appointment for the girls at Macy's where I purchased my gown and they were going to go with one of the dresses there, but I stopped and said, you know we'll come back or I'll call - there's another dress that they want to try on. Since they went with the dress from another store, I called Macy's back to let them know since they took all the girls measurements already. I just wanted to be courteous about it since I will have to deal with them in the future when my gown comes in.

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

The only one I let know was a hair vendor, and that was because she was holding the date without a deposit. We just contacted her to let her know we would not be needing her services on the wedding day.

Re: Do you let vendors know you decided...

If they call me to follow-up and find out my deal... I'll tell them, just so I don't have to deal with another call from them.