Insider Specials: Get what you want without paying Visa

I’m serious. And I’m going into hiding after this post. I’m about to give away a TOP SECRET negotiating tactic that most vendors WON’T tell you. Oh, wait, I hear you. Why would you tell us this? You’re a vendor. Yes, my desperate darling brides-to-be, I am a vendor and I may even want your business, but I believe in a win-win strategy for both bride and vendor. And this SECRET helps both–it’s two way street–even if some vendors won’t admit it.

Many years ago, wedding photographers (and I imagine other vendors) had the market cornered and were able to ask outrageous prices for their services. Not knowing any better, brides paid. After all, that’s the way it was. And sadly, people tend to become complacent in a cornered market. This meant that services didn’t improve, because there was no competition necessitating improvement. We all know that competition breeds better and cheaper products. And finally, that’s what happened. The market opened up and the competition started. This was great for the bride, but many vendors went out of business, or incurred large costs to adapt to the new market. However, things are starting to level out and most of us (business owners, brides, employees) are working super hard to make sure we can pay our mortgages and keep food on the table. We’re all getting wiser with our resources and more creative and flexible with our services. And because of this new ‘playing field’ and the economy, most vendors realize that the bottom line isn’t just about money.

So, how do you get what you want without drowning in debt for the next several years? As a bride, you have leverage, you have something to offer besides the frog skins–you have you. On several occasions I have ‘negotiated’ with the bride because she had something that would serve me as well or better than a paycheck. Have you considered what you have to offer? Unique location? Stunning dress? Does the vendor ‘need’ something you have to offer? What kind of business are you in? Do you design web sites? Optimize them? It’s time to sit down and take stock.

If you want to learn more about this fabulous negotiating technique that could save you LOTS of dollars, be sure to sign up for my monthly specials and wedding expert updates. There’s no cost, we never sale your information and we don’t overwhelm you with massive emails. That’s all for now folks…

Thanks!

Alba