I did not get the BIG job!!!

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

That big $11K wedding reception I wrote about last week...Well the 'event planner' decided (without contacting me) that the 8 servers that I was going to provide for FREE was not enough and they were going to have to HIRE more servers. They also wanted PASSED appetizers which they did NOT ask me to do and were going to have to hire servers for that.

I called the gal that first contacted me and she SAID the 'event planner' was SUPPOSED to have got back to me the first of this week to let me know of their decision... Twisted Evil

Yea, I am pretty hot about it as I was not even given the chance to offer anything...no negoiations what so ever.

Oh well, guess I will have to make up that $$$ with MORE events rather than just the one....win some, lose some.. Laughing

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G's BBQ · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 1641 Location: NV

Ive had that happen to me too, decided to go with a lesser menu but didnt contact me to see what price I could offer....just cant fix stupid....

smokin Jim · Posted: May 12 2007 Post subject:

The trouble is - stupid breeds stupid. We don't stand a chance!
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3pigsbbq · Posted: May 12 2007 Post subject:

I usually just figure that the planner must have had a "buddy" that they wanted to give the job to anyway. Otherwise they would have got back to you for another quote. Oh well...win some loose some.

Dave
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BBQMAN · Posted: May 12 2007 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: May 12 2007 Post subject:

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

That could very well be. We went to our local Monsonic Lodge this past week to drop off some cards. They are building a brand new facility (right next to their current one). While taking the tour, the Marketing manager "MENTIONED" that caterers "OFFERED" him 10% of their take and said he likes to do this WITHOUT the party knowing about it...hmmmm

I won't do this, sorry...I just don't have to I guess, he is the ONLY place that has ever even mentioned this.
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G's BBQ · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 1641 Location: NV

BBQMAN · Posted: May 13 2007 Post subject:

Dang dude, I thought Masons were supposed to be the pillars of society as far as being honest etc. Shocked

I would have told that JackA$$, sure you bet, and as a successful caterer I'll make SURE to recommend your facility to ALL my clients! Wink

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Harry Nutczak · Posted: May 13 2007 Post subject:

get this,

I just had my meat guy (Full-service purveyor)suggest he gets a finders fee for referring customers to me!! Ain't that some schittt?

My immediate response was "buying all my product from you isn't enough?
I do have other options for purveyors you know!

That shut him up right quick! That takes some balls IMO!!
Wanting a palm greasing for referring my business for catering events when they are (were) planned to be my sole provider for everything I will be cooking!
and I told them that when I started getting product & pricing sheets to cost out my menu that I was using them 100%!!

It wasn't my sales person that said this, it was the flippin owner that made this dumb-ass comment! I had planned on greasing his palm occasionally if any huge, very lucrative events were sent my way up until it was suggested by him. I was going to do that in check form, and write it off. not any more!!

Moral of this tale?

Their are greedy A-Holes everywhere Marv.!!
And you just got hosed by one of them. I hope you did not cancel or turn away any potentials for the date of the Biggie.
And I will repeat what you said to me after losing the restaurant opportunity. "when one door closes, Another one opens"

As for the Mason's being the pillar of our society? Hmm, that's what they would like us to believe.
Maybe a secretive organization that has their hands in more things then we know, or care to know maybe. there is something odd going on there.

Right now I got that attitude that everyone can just bite me after this jag-offs comment?
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sseige · Posted: May 13 2007 Post subject:

IMO you are looking at this a bit off kilter. Marketing 101 work your centers of influence. Maybe the one guy you dealt with didn't work out but that doesn't mean they are all bad.

Party planers, your meat man, the person in charge of the bereavement diners at all the local churches, and on and on. You should not have to "grease" their palms but you should give and they should expect referrals back. Networking will make your client base grow and secure the kind of clients you want. But you have to make the right approach many times if you start with a referral for them and "by the way this is the type of client I'm looking for, do you run into them much?" "I really like the way you conduct your business do you mind if I refer my clients to you?" and if your not willing to refer your clients to them then they are not out of line expecting something for sending jobs to you.
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Big Tom · Posted: May 13 2007 Post subject:

I agree with the trading of referrals and networking.

IF you as a business owner choose to offer a "bonus" to these other resources thats a calll you can decide on.

For them to ask for or imply that you should "grease" thier palms is extortion, and down right sorry. Find a new place to take your business.
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marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Yea, I often drop off some BBQ to places/people that have refered clients to me and they 'seemed' to be VERY grateful for that.

I like this approach much better than actual 'referal fee' simply because the 'precieved value' is there for the BBQ...even though it did not cost ME all that much... Wink

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Big Tom · Posted: May 14 2007 Post subject:

BBQ leftovers make nice 'thank you' gifts.
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idzeroone · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 11

I'm a general building contractor and this type of under the table payola is just about mandatory to be "successful". I've been trying to beat the system for 15 years and it's only getting harder. Real Estate agents, home designers, interior decorators, country club employees, salesmen at the lumber yards, etc. - they all want a cut, unreported and undisclosed. Real estate agents are the worst. One agent sent a builder I worked with a letter demanding 3% of a $580,000 contract (yes that's $17,400) undisclosed and unreported just for mentioning us (along with two other builders) as good builders. We never even talked to the agent until after we signed the clients, months after the cocktail party where we were mentioned. The customers came to us, we schmooed 'em and eventually signed them up, and then the letter from the REA. Talk about having big balls (and she was a woman). The agent said they were the "buyer's agent" and were therefore entitled to the money. We disclosed her letter to our clients and told the the agent to get her money from the customers if she thought they could. The clients were just as incensed as we about this and refused to pay her a dime. We are definetely on most of the RE agents black list for not playing their games. What makes the payola scam bad is the fact that most GCs do it, so the ones that refuse, like me and a few others, place ourselves at a huge disadvantage of obtaining steady business. On the other hand, I am more than happy to pay someone who is promoting my business (just not RE agents Wink

)with a flat fee or a percentage of the contract. That person is a promoter, or an advertiser. I view a genuine "referral fee" that is paid with a company check with the recipient receiving a 1099 at the end of the year as good business.

BBQMAN · Posted: May 14 2007 Post subject:

I agree with you there idzeroone! Very Happy

I work very closely with a handful of other entertainment proffesionals.

My main guy Joey and I met a few years ago (he found me in the Yellow Book). He tells me now that he knew right away that I was the right guy by my approach on the phone. Joey also does a great job for us, and has a very unique group he works with which adds greatly to our own offerings. He has authentic Hawaiian Hula girl's that can do a show at the pig roasts we do, and different D.J. for diffrent styles of parties. It is a reciprical agreement, so money doesn't change hands as refferral fee's etc. We also team up on advertising, splitting the cost's down the middle which saves us even more money.

I also work with wedding planners. One never wants a fee, and sends me a job now and again. The other likes a referral fee, which I have no problem with and write off to advertising expenses. I don't do too much work with her- she prefers smaller weddings (8-10) so my services are not needed. However, it always helps to get the word out. She does list us at her own website, and we do the same. Of course the gal that sends us the most work gets top billing! Wink

Straight out kick-backs are definetly a turn off to me. I don't mind legitimate refferral fees as long as they are reasonable. I pay quite a bit to the Yellow Book for "refferral" fees as it is! Laughing

The important part, especially for new busness' is to get the word out to potential clients. Spending money on advertising is part of that process!
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marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Yes, I agree with the 'company check' thing and then IF payment is over $600 through out the year, a 1099 is sent. Then WE get to write it off.. Wink

This is what we do with our employees (family members too).

But I am STILL not THRILLED about the 'greasing of the palm' idea....just rubs me the wrong way.

I have retail size bottles of sauce...maybe I can send some of THAT over as a 'thank you' gift. Wonder how THAT will go over with them???? Laughing

As a small caterer, we just can not afford this extra expense. I could understand a 'preachers tip'. Like when you get married and you give the preacher a $100 tip...I CAN do that without reservation...but 10%??? absoutley not!!

How about if WE charged THEM (event planners, facilities..etc) 10% for US refering THEM??? Think that would go over well???? Doubt it.. Twisted Evil

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Texman · Posted: May 14 2007 Post subject:

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Texman · Posted: May 14 2007 Post subject:

Wal-Mart, not quite, but it did bring a belly role this morning! Laughing

Was this the ML in Turnwater, WA?

Winning any money in Vegas?