The Question:
As a busy floral designer, I am constantly getting inquiries. What a huge blessing! To determine whether or not the potential client and I are a good fit, I send them a questionnaire. They answer the questions by telling me more about the details and style of their event. They also select a budget for their event. I have been frustrated, because I am getting the most ridiculously low budgets. Absolutely unreasonable for the items they need! Earlier this week, I had a bride list that she needed (1) Bridal Bouquet, (5) Bridesmaid Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Corsages, an Altar Arrangement, and (15) Centerpieces......for a budget of $800. We all know, that won't even cover supplies!
My question is: What do I do with this potential client? Do I politely dismiss her and tell her I don't think we'll be a good fit? Do I schedule the appointment anyway and try to sell her the value of my product? To deal with this issue so far, I have been responding to the email with a "quick quote". Basically, I'll send a little email back saying "according to the items that you have selected, your estimate will be around $X,XXX". Some move forward with booking the appointment, and others I never hear from again.
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The Answers:
I think "quick quotes" is a really good idea. I would also suggest you write something about your prices on your website, like weddings begin at $ xxx.
-Emelie Ekborg (Svenska Blomsterbloggar)
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It's a problem I am also facing at the moment, and think I will finally put some pricing range on my website. I think this will be helpful both for brides that have no idea what to budget for their flowers and also for me, so I will not have to answer inquiries which will anyway lead nowhere...
-Laetitia Mayor (Floresie)
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You are not alone! This happens to me constantly. I don't have a formal questionnaire, but I ask a few questions about their event; and if I think this is going to be the case then I send them a price list. The price list is very general, but it does state my order minimum and average prices on individual items. That usually does a lot of the talking for me, and I don't have to go into detail about why I don't think we are a good fit for each other. If they respond, then I assume they have read it over and done the math on their end to see if we are a good match. Sometimes people like this do have the budget for it, they just didn't understand how quickly the cost of flowers adds up...and sometimes they just want lots of stuff for cheap! If it is the former I usually tell them what I think their budget could buy them, and then refer them to florists who might be a better option for them.
-Sarah Winward (Honey of a Thousand Flowers)
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Thanks Sarah, Emelie and Laetitia!
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Think I’ll leave you with some Sullivan Owen designs today…
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!