HOW TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED WHEN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
If you don't want to be scammed when planning your wedding, you must shelve your rose-colored wedding fantasy glasses and take in a dose of wedding planning reality.
So says Dr. Angela L. Thompson, instructor of sociology--specializing in the wedding industry--at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She spent the past five years interviewing and writing about wedding professionals, going undercover at wedding expos, taking wedding training courses and delivering presentations on the growth of this $32 billion industry, and did her dissertation on this topic.
"You can get scammed by the wedding industry just like any other industry," says Thompson, who recently authored a booklet, Unveiled: Secrets of the Wedding Industry: A Guide for Brides and Grooms. One of the first things Thompson recommends couples do before beginning their wedding planning is to determine their shopping patterns: compulsive shopper; overwhelmed shopper; over-spender; comparison shopper.
A compulsive shopper is someone who is constantly looking, constantly purchasing. An overwhelmed shopper is someone who shops to the point of confusion regarding available options.
"An overwhelmed shopper can be easily confused and easily scammed. If you fall in this category, take a wedding planning break and clear your head," says Thompson. Overspenders purchase more than they can afford.
In general, wedding businesses earn their money from "add-ons," says Thompson. Wedding people call these the "cute little extras" needed to add that individual touch to your wedding. "In reality, add-ons are products sold to brides and grooms often at a substantial mark up. They are the make it or break it extra income of the wedding industry. In the wedding industry, there is a 100 percent markup on add-on sales such as stationery."
How does the conscientious bride and groom avoid getting scammed on the extra cost of add-on sales? Do the leg work yourself, advises Thompson. Cut out the middleman and order straight from the manufacturer.
"Regardless of how much you spend on your wedding, it is important to understand that wedding professionals are trained to overcome the objections of reluctant clients," says Thompson. "For example, if an engaged couple has a price objection, the salesperson might focus on the value of the item as opposed to price, saying something like, 'This photo package is an invaluable way to preserve your wedding memories.'"
One of the best ways to protect yourself and your wedding is to follow the golden rule of wedding planning and keep track of contracts and receipts. Because weddings are so emotional, Thompson says couples many not realize that the planning process is really nothing more than entering into a series of business agreements.
Wedding expos illustrate how the wedding industry has become a big business and they are a moneymaking proposition for their sponsors, notes Thompson.
"To make the participation in the expo profitable, wedding businesses must sign as many clients as possible. But because businesses are there to make a profit, you may be pressured into making a firm commitment right then and there, and signing up for services on the spot," says Thompson. "It is best that you do not sign up for services at the expo. A wedding business that is not willing to let you think about the purchase overnight is not working in your best interest and may be trying to scam you."
The future of the wedding industry, like most growing industries, is on the Internet. To avoid being scammed on-line, use the Internet only for suggestions or to narrow choices. Although the Internet can present information, it can never replace the personal, first-hand experience that is so vital to wedding planning, says Thompson.
Thompson recommends asking these questions when planning your wedding: How many years have you been in business? Do you belong to any wedding professional associations? Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau? Have you done my type of wedding (ethnic/religious) before? Do you have references I can contact? How many weddings do you do per day? Will you personally be in attendance on the day of my wedding? Will you be working with an assistant on the day of my wedding? How many years of experience does she or he have? Are there added fees? What is your refund policy? What is your postponement/cancellation policy? Have you ever been sued? What is the payment schedule and when is the balance due? What happens if I don't like the wedding photos?
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