I wanted to share my vendor from hell story with your readers. It isn't as horrible as some, but still had me in tears. When my boyfriend proposed at Christmas I was completely thrilled. We immediately set a date for early July of the next year. For many years I have know without a doubt which florist in my small southern town that I wanted to hire for my someday wedding. It's a small shop owned and run by a very talented gentleman, "Jack", whom I have know all my life. Two days after the proposal I went to Jack's shop to book him for my wedding. I didn't want to waste any time because he is very popular for weddings and usually very busy. He took my reservation and we briefly talked about some ideas. Jack ask me to come back in mid-March and we would finalize all the details. I went away convinced I was going to have the wedding of my dreams.
All plans seem to be rolling along smoothly until late February or early March. My mother received a call from Jack's mother (they have known each other for many years although they are not extremely close), Jack is seriously ill. We soon learn that Jack has multiple brain tumors and the doctors don't know if there is anything they can do for him. Over the next two-and-a-half months the news regarding Jack's health only seems to get worse. I bounce between concern for Jack, worry about my flowers, and guilt because a wedding, even mine, is so insignificant when compared to Jack's potentially life threatening illness. Jack's family tells me I should contact his assistant, she is running the shop in his absence has learned his technique and will be able to help me even if Jack is not able to be there. This is when the vendor from hell appears.
I made the call to Wanda the Wicked Witch, WWW, from my office on a Thursday afternoon. From the beginning of the conversation WWW has a "why are you bothering me" tone to her voice. I explained that I had booked Jack to do my wedding back in December, knew him personally and was aware of him medical condition, and that I had been told I should speak to her about the arrangements. WWW tells me that due to Jack's illness they are not booking any new events. So, I again explain to her that I'm not a new event and would like to talk to her about doing the flowers for my wedding. Once again WWW's only response is that they aren't booking anything new. After going through my explanation and her same response twice more I become very frustrated. I tell that I know where the phone is located in the shop and that if she will turn to her right and look at the calendar handing on the wall, turn the appropriate date in July she will find my name, in Jack's handwriting, on that date. Well apparently she finally believes me because now she tells me that if Jack's health doesn't improve soon his family is going to close the shop. I ask her if she has been advised whether to try to meet the commitments Jack has already made or refer them to another florist. WWW says that she thinks they are just going to close. I ask WWW if she has any idea when the family will make this decision, she says that she really doesn't know but thinks some time in June. It is mid-May at this time and my wedding is planned for early July. I understand the family's position of wanting to hold on to Jack's business if at all possible and their reluctance to make a decision. WWW's attitude was as if she didn't care about Jack's health or my wedding. By this point in the conversation I was very upset tearfully ask her how was I supposed to find another florist if I waited until June which would be only three weeks before my wedding. WWW's very professional response was, "Not my problem."
After spending the weekend in tears and talking with all my friends and family. I realized that everyone was saying the same thing. Quickly find a new florist. All seemed to agree that Jack would understand and would not want any of his customers to be treated in this way. The following week I booked with a new, recently opened florist who did a wonderful job. After hearing my story of woe the new florist work very hard to help me have the wedding of my dreams. When I called to cancel my booking with Jack WWW had another very profession response, " Oh, good." She then hung up on me. Addition note, Jack's tumor were treatable and after many months he was able to return to his shop only to find that he no long had a business. WWW had treated all of his customers in the same manner she treated me. Jack was forced to close the shop partly due to continuing health problems and partly due to WWW's mismanagement. Vendors0604-03
Asharah's comment: Since the OPs Mom was acquainted with Jack's mother, I think she could have called her and tipped her off about how WWW was (mis)handling Jack's business. It might have prevented Jack's business from being totally run into the ground by the time he got back to it.
