What do you do when a vendor or client is rude to you or your staff?

1) Grin and bear it?
2) Let them know, and let them go.

Here’s what I would do:

Sometimes the old adage “the client  (or potential client) is always right” does come into play. They don’t always send a warm email that makes us want to get up and make things happen for them right away, but at this point you are contracted with them – so make the best of it. However, there can eventually come a point where you hit a crossroad. Where you may decide: this just isn’t worth it for me anymore. I understand! I’ve been there. It happens. They crossed the line one to many times.

I look at the financial value of my contract with a client or potential client and I decide – is this worth it? Most cases for me it is not, however when you are halfway into an agreement or deep into the wedding planning process etc.. with them, what do you do?

I say you try to make it work. You let them know your boundaries in the kindest way possible. If they don’t respect these, then they are NOT the client for you. You live and you learn and you decide what you deserve.

On the other hand, we sometimes have new client inquiries that call into my office demanding to speak to me (only to find out I’m not available when they want me) who are rude to the lovely women who work with me. It boggles the mind that in the business of weddings there are brands out there that run their companies with little understanding of how to create new relationships  and make a positive first impression. We all know what a turn off it is to receive cold/rude emails or curt phone calls. So, if they happen to land our way, I make a quick choice on whether I plan to do business with them. Can you guess what I decide? :)

I believe you deserve to be treated with respect and professionalism from your clients, it’s just time for you to believe that too. Make the decision based on what only YOU know is right. Is it time to say goodbye? It might be. The greatest lesson you can take from these experiences is to know when to say Yes or No the next time. The voice that’s been in the back of your head for awhile  telling you it’s time to make a change is here today reminding you again. So decide now and stick to it!

Photo via Pinterest