Customer Service, Quality and Price. What’s important to you?

posted in: Blog from the Boss 0

Over the years we have seen our competition lower their price over and over and over again. At what point does that not only negate the value of the product, but the industry? How do we respond, by lowering our price? No, we continue delivering first in class products at a great price.

I recently had a colleague doing a bridal show and in a last ditch effort, the competition at the show crossed out and changed their prices with a sharpie. Yes, I’m not kidding, they took a sharpie and scribbled out the price and changed it to be lower. To me, that is a sign of desperation and poor business. I understand that clients go to bridal and event shows to get a good deal, but at what cost? If the vendor is resorting to undercutting the competition the day of, what else will they do? Don’t leave it to chance!

You may ask why I even made a post about this. Simple, we sell customer service and along with that we deliver amazing products and great prices. Are we the cheapest on the block, no. Are we the most expensive, no. Let me ask you this… When you are in the process of planning an event, is your goal to save $1? What are you sacrificing by saving $1? You are probably sacrificing customer service, product quality and cleanliness as well as a litany of headaches. As we all know, there are costs to running a business. Especially costs associated with doing it correctly. We have proven time and time again that we can save our clients money, but they are not sacrificing anything for that.

Statistically, 86% of buyers justify paying more for a great customer experience. We treat all of our clients the same way, with respect.

So as you venture out to plan your event, take everything into consideration and not just the price. Here are just a few things to be on the lookout for.

  • Will the vendor give you the time you need to meet with them?
    • These decisions are important and cannot be made in a rush.
    • If the vendor is rushing you out the door, you might not be that important to them.
    • Will the vendor meet with you a second time if needed? Some only give you 30-60 minutes and that’s it.
  • Are you getting quick responses to your calls and emails?
    • While we are not just waiting around for your call, we understand that your time is just as important as our time.
    • You will always get a call or email back from us the same day, typically within the hour.
  • Will the vendor give you a quote in writing to take with you?
    • Yes, I know that there are people that shop around and that’s OK.
    • We want to allow you to compare apples to apples.
    • Not having a quote might lead to comparing apples to hammers.
    • Many won’t give you a written quote as they believe you will take that to their competitors for a better deal.
      • I had a customer tell me recently that they met with another company and the owner of the company took the quote and put it in the shredder in front of the client because they were not ready to book right then.
    • We have no problem emailing you or printing your proposal right in our showroom. We will not give you something that is handwritten and clear as mud.
    • We know our clients will use us for the quality of service we provide, even if it is a little more money.
  • Is the vendor flexible with your counts?
    • Most vendors have a hard line with a 10% adjustment with no flexibility at all.
    • Our contracts state that you can adjust 10% up or down, but we are flexible. We know that you may have anticipated 200 people and your final counts came in at 170. We are not going to charge you for 10 people that were not coming. Most will and they don’t care. They will tell you that you signed a contract and that’s that.
    • Now, if you reserved an event for 200 people and came back with only needing for 100, then we need to discuss it. We may have been able to reserve some of those items that were placed on hold for your event.
  • Will the vendor be flexible the day of the event?
    • We know the day of your event you have a lot going on and no time to deal with things that are completely out of your control.
    • We understand that some events run over a little bit, maybe 30 minutes. So our staff will gladly wait outside the room until the party ends.
    • I have heard of vendors charging their clients more money the night of because their staff had to wait more than 15 minutes. Granted, there is a reasonable amount of time that should be understood. But 15 minutes? To me, that is someone out to nickle and dime you all the way. Remember when I asked what you are sacrificing by saving $1? This is it!
  • When the time comes to return your order, if it was not installed and torn down by our team, will you have problems?
    • All of our contracts state that the rentals have to be returned the Monday following the event. If they were shipped to the location, they need to be shipped back the Monday following the event.
    • Things happen and this does not always happen the way we plan. There are some weeks that things do not get returned until Tuesday. Could we charge for a late return, yes. Would we charge for a late return, no!
    • I have heard horror stories from clients telling me that they did not get their items returned by an exact time and got charged a ridiculous amount because of it. This tells the client that they are not important to you, just a means of payment.
    • This is another example of what happens when you try to save $1.

To sum it all up, just do your homework and take advice from someone who has been in the event business for over 30 years. When you are planning that 200 person event and you can save $200 for something cheaper, does it make sense? In the grand scheme of the event and all the costs involved, go with the company that is going to provide you with the customer service you deserve!

 

We look forward to working with you on your next event.

 

Lyle Brous
President/CEO
Fabulous Events, Inc.

Happy Bride and Groom

posted in: Event Showcase 0

This past weekend we had the honor of working with Michael and Michelle Luu. Our journey with this couple started about 6 months ago. When we first met, we went over so many options for their wedding from linens and chair covers to draping and lighting. After several discussions, they decided on the items they wanted for their special day. Linens, chair covers, napkins, draping and lighting.

The day came and our install crew headed over to Club Venetian in Madison Heights. I have to say that it has been more than 20 years since I was at this venue. I was met by Louie and several of his other team members. Louie was one of the nicest people I have met in a long time. He was super helpful with our staff and that made things so much easier. I cannot tell you how many times we have gone to venues and been treated like second class citizens when we are doing our jobs. Mental note: Aren’t we all here for the client? That’s why we are there. So I digress, back to the story. Club Venetian was super clean inside and out. Kudos to Louie and his team.

We started off by setting out all the linens, then we moved on to the chair covers, draping and lighting. Looking for the perfect wedding? Call on Fabulous Events to supply all of your event rentals. We have table linens, runners, uplighting, pipe and drape, napkins and more for your event rental.

The draping was a triple layer backdrop with iridescent beads in the middle. The bride and groom chose a purple tone for the lighting on the draping and throughout the room.

For the tables, they chose a simple lilac classic solid table linen with our ivory majesty dinner napkin. We covered the chairs with our ivory spandex chair covers with a lilac satin chair sash.Looking for the perfect wedding? Call on Fabulous Events to supply all of your event rentals. We have table linens, runners, uplighting, pipe and drape, napkins and more for your event rental.

For the entrance, the clients wanted a backdrop that they could use to take photos with family and friends. We set up a silver sateen backdrop with florals lined up across the top. Not only did this make a great backdrop, it made for a dramatic entrance. Looking for the perfect wedding? Call on Fabulous Events to supply all of your event rentals. We have table linens, runners, uplighting, pipe and drape, napkins and more for your event rental.

All in all, this was an amazing event. The sun was shining and the weather was beautiful. The clients had their dream reception and we had the opportunity to be part of it. We hope that this will inspire you and your event design.

Take care and call us for your special day!

Lyle

Thursday Therapy with Fabulous Events

posted in: News 0

This month we licensed the rights for Thursday Therapy in the Metro Detroit Market. Why did we join the team? Simple, to meet great people and introduce them to other great people.

We know that business happens when people develop deep relationships with one another. Networking shouldn’t be a boring chore. Thursday Therapy is where new and old friends share a sip and a bite… and exchange stories. Networking, referrals, and business exchanged is all a byproduct of these deep connections.

Thursday
 Therapy is a place for us to meet, mingle, and share. So check out our calendar of hosts for this year. You definitely want to make this part of your routine if you are in the event industry. We hope to see you at our first Thursday Therapy on April 5th.

3 Brunch Tips for Your Next Sunday Funday!

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental sequin table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

 

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

 

The Fort Worth Club is an iconic venue in the storied city of Fort Worth, Texas. For 125 years the club has hosted events of all shapes and sizes, and last month’s “Sunday Funday on a Monday” gave us the perfect opportunity to showcase our new Granada Collection. Choice abounds at brunch, from steak and eggs to Belgium waffles – and the casual atmosphere is fun. To play up the ambiance, we chose to mix all the patterns and colors in our new collection, and Tami Winn Events created stunning florals that perfectly highlighted each tablescape. Mixing patterns and textures creates excitement and guests notice the different details on each tablescape. And just like brunch, you don’t have to settle for one choice.

Our Partners from BBJ sat down with Meghan Phillips, Director of Catering and Special Events, and picked her brain for tips on how to throw the perfect brunch. As Meghan explained if “fun and relaxation are a top priority, Sunday Funday offers a great vibe – run with it!”

Go Beyond the Norm, Brunch has Grown Up

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

“Brunch has matured beyond your typical mimosas and omelets. People are now looking for a brunch experience both on their plate and in their glass. Creating fun food and beverage pairings is a great way to raise the bar on a typical breakfast-for-lunch meal, whether you choose wine or cocktails as your drink.”

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental sequin table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

Modernize the Menu

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

“Using traditional ingredients in a unique way helps modernize popular brunch menu items. Instead of scrambled eggs with hash browns, try a poached egg over lobster and sweet potato hash. The addition of lobster, along with the elegant presentation heightens both the visual and flavor appeal of the dish.”

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

Offer Variety

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

“While everyone loves a traditional mimosa, people love variety more. Mimosa bars that offer a selection of fresh squeezed juices are a great way to allow people to customize their beverages to their own liking. Blood orange, grapefruit, and passion juices are all great flavors to offer with a sparkling wine.”

Rent from Fabulous Events, the leader in event linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

The main take away – brunch is fun!  We had a blast brunching with Meghan and the Fort Worth Club.  Playing with different textures and patterns makes us fabric lovers happy, and it’s a natural complement to a cheerful, light hearted event. 

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

Brunch is a staple meal to most people’s weekends nowadays, and makes for a perfect event gathering.  Brunch is bright, inviting, and social. 

Rent from Fabulous Events. We are the leader in linen rentals. We have one of the largest selections of rental table linens, chair covers, napkins & more.

Credits:
Photography: Tracy Autem | Floral: Tami Winn Events | Venue: Fort Worth Club

Silverman Wedding featured in Metro Detroit Weddings

posted in: Event Showcase 0

It is always exciting to see a client’s wedding featured in a publication. Last week I saw just that. I saw Nate and Ashley Silverman’s wedding featured in the Metro Detroit Weddings magazine. Ashley had tagged us in the post on Facebook. Then, later in the day, Ashley’s Mom, Karen, came in to see me with a huge smile on her face. I knew exactly why she was so happy. She had the magazine in her hand and the page marked. We talked about the wedding and how it was nothing short of amazing. It is always special to hear from a client after the event.

Linen Rentals, Chiavari Chair Rentals, Napkin Rental, Wedding and Special Events

For our part of the event, we provided both LED uplighting as well as LED Pinspots to highlight the awesome florals on the tables. For the table linen, we used our Champagne Bentley and we topped it off with a Pink Matte Satin Napkins. We brought in our gold chiavari chairs to finish off the look.

The ceremony and reception was held at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Entertainment was provided by the Brian Alexander Band. They are nothing short of amazing. To top off an already great event, the food was prepared by Quality Kosher Catering. The event was put together with an incredible team of seasoned professionals. They are all here and I highly encourage you to visit them and use them for your upcoming wedding or special event.

Ceremony and Reception Site – Adat Shalom Synagogue

Photography – Kellie Saunders Photography

Florist – Breath of Spring

Day of Coordinator – Andrea Solomon

Catering – Quality Kosher Catering

Entertainment – Brian Alexander Band

Metro Detroit Weddings Magazine

And of course, last but not least. Fabulous Events provided the rental of Table Linens, Napkins, Chiavari Chairs and LED Lighting throughout the room.

To see more pics, click HERE

Call 877-200-2424 Today to speak to one of our Experienced Linen Rental Consultants.

 

 

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A Re-Visit to Customer Service, Quality and Price

posted in: Blog from the Boss 0

I wrote this blog post quite some time ago, but it stands true today as much as it ever did.

Over the years we have seen our competition lower their price over and over and over again. At what point does that not only negate the value of the product, but the industry? How do we respond, by lowering our price? No, we continue delivering first in class products at a great price.

I recently had a colleague doing a bridal show and in a last ditch effort, the competition at the show crossed out and changed their prices with a sharpie. Yes, I’m not kidding, they took a sharpie and scribbled out the price and changed it to be lower. To me, that is a sign of desperation and poor business. I understand that clients go to bridal and event shows to get a good deal, but at what cost? If the vendor is resorting to undercutting the competition the day of, what else will they do? Don’t leave it to chance!

You may ask why I even made a post about this. Simple, we sell customer service and along with that we deliver amazing products and great prices. Are we the cheapest on the block, no. Are we the most expensive, no. Let me ask you this… When you are in the process of planning an event, is your goal to save $1? What are you sacrificing by saving $1? You are probably sacrificing customer service, product quality and cleanliness as well as a litany of headaches. As we all know, there are costs to running a business. Especially costs associated with doing it correctly. We have proven time and time again that we can save our clients money, but they are not sacrificing anything for that.

Statistically, 86% of buyers justify paying more for a great customer experience. We treat all of our clients the same way, with respect.

So as you venture out to plan your event, take everything into consideration and not just the price. Here are just a few things to be on the lookout for.

  • Will the vendor give you the time you need to meet with them?
    • These decisions are important and cannot be made in a rush.
    • If the vendor is rushing you out the door, you might not be that important to them.
    • Will the vendor meet with you a second time if needed? Some only give you 30-60 minutes and that’s it.
  • Are you getting quick responses to your calls and emails?
    • While we are not just waiting around for your call, we understand that your time is just as important as our time.
    • You will always get a call or email back from us the same day, typically within the hour.
  • Will the vendor give you a quote in writing to take with you?
    • Yes, i know that there are people that shop around and that’s OK.
    • We want to allow you to compare apples to apples.
    • Not having a quote might lead to comparing apples to hammers.
    • Many won’t give you a written quote as they believe you will take that to their competitors for a better deal.
    • We have no problem emailing you or printing your proposal right in our showroom. We will not give you something that is handwritten and clear as mud.
    • We know our clients will use us for the quality of service we provide, even if it is a little more money.
  • Is the vendor flexible with your counts?
    • Most vendors have a hard line with a 10% adjustment with no flexibility at all.
    • Our contracts state that you can adjust 10% up or down, but we are flexible. We know that you may have anticipated 200 people and your final counts came in at 170. We are not going to charge you for 10 people that were not coming. Most will and they don’t care. They will tell you that you signed a contract and that’s that.
    • Now, if you reserved an event for 200 people and came back with only needing for 100, then we need to discuss it. We may have been able to reserve some of those items that were placed on hold for your event.
  • Will the vendor be flexible the day of the event?
    • We know the day of your event you have a lot going on and no time to deal with things that are completely out of your control.
    • We understand that some events run over a little bit, maybe 30 minutes. So our staff will gladly wait outside the room until the party ends.
    • I have heard of vendors charging their clients more money the night of because their staff had to wait more than 15 minutes. Granted, there is a reasonable amount of time that should be understood. But 15 minutes? To me, that is someone out to nickle and dime you all the way. Remember when I asked what you are sacrificing by saving $1? This is it!
  • When the time comes to return your order (If it was not installed or torn down by the vendor), will you have problems?
    • All of our contracts state that the rentals have to be returned the Monday following the event. If they were shipped to the location, they need to be shipped back the Monday following the event.
    • Things happen and this does not always happen the way we plan. There are some weeks that things do not get returned until Tuesday. Could we charge for a late return, yes. Would we charge for a late return, no!
    • I have heard horror stories from clients telling me that they did not get their items returned by an exact time and got charged a ridiculous amount because of it. This tells the client that they are not important to you, just a means of payment.
    • This is another example of what happens when you try to save $1.

To sum it all up, just do your homework and take advice from someone who has been in the event business for over 30 years. When you are planning that 200 person event and you can save $200 for something cheaper, does it make sense? In the grand scheme of the event and all the costs involved, go with the company that is going to provide you with the customer service you deserve!

 

We look forward to working with you on your next event,

 

Lyle Brous
President/CEO
Fabulous Events, Inc.

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