Cancelled Bridal Shower: A Tale of Courage and Disappointment

[mmilus]

I drove about 65 miles (each way) yesterday to do a bridal shower for a repeat customer. Her older son got married two years ago and we had a great shower over $1000. Yesterday was a shower for her younger son's fiancée and we currently have $860 in orders. Both bride and groom are young (19) which, in my mind, is awfully young to be getting married. I know there are couples that do and last forever but so many don't. Anyway, long story short, the groom's mom texted me this morning that the bride called the wedding off.

The show had not been submitted - I hadn't even deposited the checks and cash so it's not a problem to cancel those orders. We are going to check with those that placed orders for themselves along with stuff for the bride and see if they want to go ahead and get the stuff so hopefully we'll have enough for a show. She's also volunteered to give me money for gas and time so I'm not out a whole lot. Having gotten married at 21 myself even though I had doubts (divorced at 22 - I was right to have doubts), I admire this bride for having the courage to say she's not ready and not get into the complications marriage would have caused but I was really looking forward to the paycheck for May as I've already turned in a $2752 fundraiser earlier in the month. I know it was probably a tough decision for her but darn, I wish that hadn't happened!

Oh, well, on to the next one! Have a wonderful Sunday!

 

[pchockeymom]

Doing the right thing for the host/bride will pay off in the long run.

 

[mmilus]

Absolutely my feeling - I just needed to vent a little bit. The host told me as I left "I still have two single sons" so I'm sure she'll call me again and I like working with her. My heart goes out to her son and her entire family but as she also said, "better before the wedding than after".

 

[gailz2]

Unfortunately, these things happen. Sorry you lost out on a big show, but maintaining excellent customer service will grow your business.

 

[mmilus]

One follow-up on this. The host has offered to pay me for my mileage but I feel bad accepting it under the circumstances. What would you do?

 

[DebPC]

I think she would be most grateful if you didn't take it. It's nice of her to offer. I would just take the mileage as a business expense. But of course up to you.

 

[CookinWithLynda]

Tough situation for everyone. Personally, I would say 'no thank you, kind of you to offer' to the host for her reimbursement offer. This isn't anything she saw coming and she's such a good customer for you, she'll appreciate you even more! With that many orders, she may have a decent show anyway and contacting the customers personally to see if they still want to place their personal orders will be good customer service too. Good luck!

 

[mmilus]

Update - I told my host not to worry about reimbursing me for gas and she said she would feel very bad if she didn't give me something and sent me a check for $40. In addition, we will be closing her show this week with over $300 in guest sales between the people who were at the shower that wanted things for them and a couple of people I had that we interested in placing an order. I still feel very bad for the family - when she called me a couple of days ago, it was obvious she needed someone to listen while she vented which I was glad to do. Tough situation for her.

 

[DebPC]

Sounds like you were a good friend to her as well as a good consultant-kudos!