WWYD...Last minute booking or Already paid for Bridal Show?
- Thread starter WaydeWest
- Start date
But your "friend" is charging you $300 for the favor...
Spend money to make money
Im wondering if it was slightly higher for the friend to put this event together? Sort of like a joint venture ya might say eh? Investing in any relationship is a given. 300 for an event which is likely gaining stature in a higher end market in these times is not a bad way of thinking.
Again, the bridal show is advertising you had to pay for. How in the world is it possible to consider it as screwing over your friend if you don't use the ad?
Because maybe your friend looks silly if there aren't enough vendors, and the people at the show are disappointed with the show.
Wow...interesting discussion so far.
Do not judge this show by the fee. There is a reason for that specific rate and it is not relevant to the thread except for the dollar amount I would have (but not really) lost. This show is being held at the Westin in Jersey City and was put together by celebrity event planner Samantha Goldberg. She is the friend that invited me and we are also working together on some other business projects. Needless to say, a connection I'm not willing to burn. Although she would have completely understood if I told her why I was bailing. And I still would have gotten the attendance list, so I could have still pursued the brides that were there (which is what I meant when I said I wouldn't really have lost the $300).
To be honest, I didn't even second guess the choice until my friend challenged me on it. I simply had a prior commitment and didn't even weigh the dollars involved in the decision.
Do not judge this show by the fee. There is a reason for that specific rate and it is not relevant to the thread except for the dollar amount I would have (but not really) lost. This show is being held at the Westin in Jersey City and was put together by celebrity event planner Samantha Goldberg. She is the friend that invited me and we are also working together on some other business projects. Needless to say, a connection I'm not willing to burn. Although she would have completely understood if I told her why I was bailing. And I still would have gotten the attendance list, so I could have still pursued the brides that were there (which is what I meant when I said I wouldn't really have lost the $300).
To be honest, I didn't even second guess the choice until my friend challenged me on it. I simply had a prior commitment and didn't even weigh the dollars involved in the decision.
You are making a business commitment. Every show I have done requires a contract, yes there is a cancellation clause for both parties, however you are still entering into an agreement. Not showing up more than likely will reflect poorly on you, if only to your peers (although if you are listed in the program or they leave your sign up at the booth you now have left a question in the attendees minds). However it is also a potential embarrassment to the show producer who now has an empty booth. This is a small industry, word gets around. Do you want to be labeled as the company that "no shows" at bridal expos? And yes the producer does care that you show up, they would not be happy to simply take your money and let you do what you want. They are also selling something, how do they maintain attendance if they always have empty booths?
Interesting to see the ethics here....
Are you a (wo)man of your word?
Do you break your promises?
In this case (and I've had it happen)....I do the bridal show.
I do admit that Rick's solution is probably the best one to satisfy both scenario's the best. Now...if only I can be as smart as he is.
Are you a (wo)man of your word?
Do you break your promises?
In this case (and I've had it happen)....I do the bridal show.
I do admit that Rick's solution is probably the best one to satisfy both scenario's the best. Now...if only I can be as smart as he is.
G
Guest
Guest
Well, he did indicate that he paid for the bridal show. He also indicated that he had a personal relationship with the person putting on the bridal show and decided to support his friend.
Had I been in that exact situation I would have gone in the same direction as Wayde.
There have been situations where I have paid for things, like expos, and an opportunity to ply my trade came up in conflict. I had no personal relationship with the expo promoters and took the business opportunity instead. The promoters still got their fee and that fee was more than offset by the fee I got for the business opportunity.
But your "friend" is charging you $300 for the favor...
And maybe the full charge is more than $300 and that discount only covers his friends exepenses.
Correction:I do admit that Rick's solution is probably the best one to satisfy both scenario's the best. Now...if only I can be as smart as he is.
It is a viable and reasonable solution but unless we understand the agreement, it may be a "less than" solution for the show.
I too applaud the serious nature of the exchange.
Okay, now we have an actual business factor to consider. In light of the above, it looks like the relationship will (potentially) produce more than the quick cash. Good call.
It is not always about the money, quick or slow.
It is your reputation and the business and client relationships that are quintessential to successful, notice I didn't say lucrative, professional businesses.
The monetary rewards will come naturally but your reputation must be nurtured, developed, protected, and valued.
Awesome thread guys!
I would have made the same choice. It is clear there are two trains of thought running throughout:
Money now vs. chance of no money later (with $300 "lost")
or
Small picture (cashing in on one sure-thing wedding) vs. Big picture (opportunities from a successful show).
Though I would tend on most days to make the same decision Wayde did personal/friend considerations regardless, I think Ricks answer to do both is the all-around best solution, and the only real "win-win" possible.
I would have made the same choice. It is clear there are two trains of thought running throughout:
Money now vs. chance of no money later (with $300 "lost")
or
Small picture (cashing in on one sure-thing wedding) vs. Big picture (opportunities from a successful show).
Though I would tend on most days to make the same decision Wayde did personal/friend considerations regardless, I think Ricks answer to do both is the all-around best solution, and the only real "win-win" possible.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
Well if you had another Dj that worked for you then you could still be in two places
as the bridal show wouldnt go on after 9pm would it ?
plus make some money as well
a win win situation
as the bridal show wouldnt go on after 9pm would it ?
plus make some money as well
a win win situation