Posted by Ducky-Bob's/Cannonball Party Tent Rentals on November 04, 1998 at 00:32:46 :
In Reply to: Rentals, discounts and commission posted by Andrea on October 15, 1998 at 02:12:47 :
: I have found that we have spent big bucks in labor hours working on rentals for off premise events.
>AS WITH OUR COMPANY, YOUR "EVENT CONSULTANT" OR SALESPERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOU STREAMLINE YOUR EVENT NEEDS, UNDERSTAND YOUR MENU, THE NATURE OF THE EVENT,... WE ARE AVAILABLE TO MAKE SITE VISITS W/YOU TO THE CLIENT'S VENUE, BRING SAMPLES FOR YOUR CLIENT TO SELECT FROM OR INVITE YOUR CLIENT TO THE RENTAL STORE TO SHOP FOR WHAT THEY WANT TO SELECT. THEN WE RELAY THOSE CHOICES TO THE CATERER AND WORK OUT THE NUMBERS, LOGISTICS FOR DELIVERY, PICKUP,...
I work with one rental company that gives me 15% discount-which is great- we do alot of business.
: My problem is- how do I recoup $s spent on countless hours of organizing rentals booked by clients?
>WE OFFER DISCOUNTS TO OUR BIGGER CUSTOMERS, A FACT THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT NEED TO KNOW. YOU SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO CHARGE A "COORDINATING SERVICE CHARGE" FOR HANDLING THE RENTAL PART OF EVENT PLANNING. ADD 2 HOURS SERVICE TIME TO YOUR PARTY MANAGER'S BILLED TIME FOR ARRIVING AN HOUR EARLY TO ASSURE ALL HANDLED AND AN HOUR AFTERWARDS TO ASSURE THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONAL RENTAL FEES FOR MISSING OR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT. IT IS A SERVICE YOU OFFER, DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHARGE FOR IT. OFFER TO HANDLE THE RENTALS IN THE FIRST PLACE-AS PART OF YOUR SERVICE. HAVE THE CUSTOMER BE BILLED DIRECTLY BY THE RENTAL COMPANY.
: The situation would be- the client books the tent before the caterer then caterer winds up finishing the rental order so as not to be screwed up on day of function. This happens all of the time.Then, of course are all of the changes.My assistant spends 8 hours a week an this (minimum).
: HELP!!!!!!!!!
>MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE CATERER IS NOT INVOLVED WITH A TENT-THE CATERER IS THE FOOD/SERVICE EXPERT. WE ARE THE TENT EXPERTS. DISCUSS WITH YOUR TENT REPRESENTATIVE ALL THE DETAILS-SPACING, PREP AREAS, SERVICE AREAS, SEATNG, DANCE FLOOR, BARS, LIGHTING, HEAT, A.C., WALLS, SET UP, TEAR DOWN, DISHROOM/LINEN
DELIVERY INTO THE TENT, EQUIPMENT P/U, RAIN PLAN... THERE IS A POINT WHERE WE STOP ALLOWING CHANGES W/O ADDITIONAL CHARGES. THIS WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE, BUT IT WORKS. WHY ALLOW LAST MINUTE CHANGES W/O COMPENSATION FOR ADDITIONAL WORK? HAVE THE RENTAL CREWS SET UP TABLES AND CHAIRS-THEIR LABOR CHARGES ARE PROBABLY LESS THAN YOUR WAITERS' WAGES. THE CUSTOMER NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE RENTAL CO. CAN OFFER MORE CHOICES THAN YOU COULD IF YOU OWNED YOUR CHINA... THERE ARE CONVENIENT SERVICES INVOLVED AND THAT'S WHAT THE COSTS ARE ALL ABOUT. HOPE THIS HELPS. WWW.DUCKYBOBS.COM (DALLAS, TX)