Acceptable response time from a supplier advice needed

Hi Mrs B!

Can you call him? I'd try that, check if he's active on social media, and if no luck, send him an email saying that his lack of communication with you is concerning you and if it continues you may be forced to seek a more reliable alternative.

You want someone that's going to get back to you and reassure you they'll do the job!

Eck it is concerning when lack of communication is there, especially something so important too!

we organised a florist and then after paying a £50 deposit her shop vanished, tried on fb, text, email as no phone number and it took her 6 weeks to answer. She said she was working from home but I just couldn't trust her after that.

Can you try one last time and see if they answer the phone then maybe look for back ups? X

Don't rely on email, your messages could be in his spam folder.

On your contract there should be a phone number. Just phone him. Also, he should have a website with a contact form and a Facebook page so try via those.

To be honest, I'd be annoyed if a client only emailed me, got no response and didn't even bother with alternative forms of contact. I'm friends with most of my brides on Facebook too... my clients have got no excuse. If they can't contact me that means I am dead!

I Like to have things in writing, but sometimes it's just better to talk to them. I would give them a call too. Constantly checking your inbox will only stress you out more.

x

I have used email to contact him throughout and generally like to use email as I then have an audit trail of things agreed and confirmed its easier to back up rather than what someone says on the phone (maybe that's just the nature of my job though!)

I have him on facebook and his page has had no action since September that worries me as well.

Will give him a call tonight but like I say if am confirming dates, times and costs I generally want it in writing!

Thanks for the advice.

I totally get what you mean, the nature of my job is the same! Anything of importance said over the phone should be confirmed in writing. Even if you follow up the phone call with an email saying "just to confirm as discussed on the phone on 6/1/15... if you can confirm by return that this is correct"

Ew, my work typing came through there!

Sounds very similar to my experience. If he has previously responded to emails then here's no reason why he shouldn't now. If his fb page shows no activity then that's a worry too. But, if this is the first time you've had difficulty getting hold of him then I would highly recommend trying an alternative contact method before deciding to cancel with him. How much deposit did you pay? Did you get a contract at all? Does he have a website at all? Most photographers do and that's another route, see if that's been updated at all and also if you can't het him by phone, try the contact me route that most websites have.

But is rubbish when suppliers don't respond and it does dent your confidence which you don't need.

Poor communications sadly seem to be a very common problem and I completely understand your frustration. I also prefer to use email, but it happens that something may end up in junk/spam folder, so I check those all the time Definitely try social media/phone before looking for another photographer. Hopefully everything is ok

Unless it's over something like Christmas and new year, or a popular time for holidays I generally start getting a little frustrated after about a week. Anyone who took more than a few days to respond to our initial enquiries was an outright no from us at the time of booking. Communication is sooo important. If i'd been having trouble contacting a supplier and was getting nothing after a couple of weeks, i'd move on to trying to contact via telephone and social media. If nothing still, i'd be looking elsewhere simply for peace of mind long term.

I know it's much easier to say that to do, especially with money involved so do explore all your options first.