When to start bargaining with the hotel?

staengus

Hey, just searching for a hotel for a reception in July 2015 and nearly have a decision made. But when do you start the bargaining on all the things like room rates, toast drinks included, etc?

Is it before you sign a contract to say you are having the wedding there (would need to do up a list of what we want in comparison to other places were offering). After its signed, and you work at it over the year?

Anybody know the best way of dealing with this??

littlelulu

staengus wrote: »

Hey, just searching for a hotel for a reception in July 2015 and nearly have a decision made. But when do you start the bargaining on all the things like room rates, toast drinks included, etc?

Is it before you sign a contract to say you are having the wedding there (would need to do up a list of what we want in comparison to other places were offering). After its signed, and you work at it over the year?

Anybody know the best way of dealing with this??

Def before you commit and sign anything. Its very hard to negotiate afterwards. Make sure you have everything in writing. We were supplied with a contract and then renegotiated and i had to ask for a new contract with the new details so just move slowly and thing everything through.

staengus

Was afraid that would be the case, will have to make out a list of everything so and see what can and can't be added.

Thanks for that

cookiecakes

We did a little bit of bargaining with our hotel before we signed our contract but did most of it after. It was very much a 'you scratch our back' so when we added on stuff we genuinely wanted like meal options, we looked for reductions on another stuff like corkage and chairs. We ended up saving a fortune based on what we would have had to pay with everything at full price.

littlelulu

cookiecakes wrote: »

We did a little bit of bargaining with our hotel before we signed our contract but did most of it after. It was very much a 'you scratch our back' so when we added on stuff we genuinely wanted like meal options, we looked for reductions on another stuff like corkage and chairs. We ended up saving a fortune based on what we would have had to pay with everything at full price.

We are trying to do a bit of haggling now and it aint easy. They were much more flexible before we signed. I suppose it depends on who you are dealing with.

I would def go in and say we are looking at x, y and z hotels. They are including x,y and z so can you match it. Tell them you are on a strict budget and whatever they quote you undercut it.

The best thing you could probably do is make a list of what you want and based on what is in their packages decide yourself what your max per head is. We got over €8 off per head by saying our max is €x after they had put the price on the table

Just remember chances are they need you more than you need them. They will have huge profit from bar and accomodation so they have wiggle room.

Call their bluff

Gatica

Definitely start bargaining as soon as you're in the door. Most of the time they'll sit down and go through their packages or meal options with you anyway. Often hotels will mention, "we'll also throw in x for you", or "we'll offer you a reduced rate for y".
If not, not to worry. Just ask. Read their brochures before you go if possible, have an idea of what you think they're overpricing, corkage, room rates? Ask them when you meet whether they could give you a better rate for the particular item as you think it's a bit pricey. Hotels are used to having to negotiate with couples. If it's an extremely popular hotel, don't be disappointed if they don't give you everything you want.
Definitely don't let them know you definitely will be booking as then there won't be an incentive for them to "lure you in" with a better offer. Say you're considering a couple of options. If you have offers from another similar hotel, mention their freebies or discounts. Many hotels will hold a date for you for 2 weeks without a deposit. Take that as your opportunity to check out and compare deals, while in the knowledge the hotel you like won't book out for your date.

jobless

sorry to piggy back on this thread but we are actually going in to negotiate in a couple of days and are completely green on the whole thing....

what kind of money off should we looking for?.... they have quoted 74 a head and i was hoping to get 10% off.... is that too unreasonable?...

other things like free nights stay on our year anniversary, trying to get room rates down etc...

Anyone got any other ideas?.... I dont want to piss them off at the same time

Gatica

Ask them if they can offer you a better rate on x. See if that meets what you were hoping to get. If it's less than your 10%, then ask could you get it for y amount. Worst they can say is no.
You'll only be taking the pi$$ if you ask them something crazy, like half price on all the rooms.

littlelulu

jobless wrote: »

sorry to piggy back on this thread but we are actually going in to negotiate in a couple of days and are completely green on the whole thing....

what kind of money off should we looking for?.... they have quoted 74 a head and i was hoping to get 10% off.... is that too unreasonable?...

other things like free nights stay on our year anniversary, trying to get room rates down etc...

Anyone got any other ideas?.... I dont want to piss them off at the same time

Set a budget in your head for how much you think the service is worth to you. If its a package deal then take out anything you don't want and suit the package to yourself.

If its a popular hotel it will be hard to haggle. Sounds pretty exlusive based on the pph.

Just have your homework done beforehand, know what you want, how much you want it for and be confident

Gatica

oh, as littlelulu said based on price it may be a popular enough hotel. If they don't reduce rates and if you can afford it in your budget, see what other things you can get thrown in for the same price.
e.g. sometimes they maybe able to give you extra choice on courses or on the reception or evening food, or extra portions on reception or evening food. We got choice on each course reduced from their standard package, got free evening food and a reduced rate for extra choice on reception food.

Sean_pop

They want you more than you might expect unless they have 3 to 4 weddings every week, which is highly unlikely.

Tell them that you have a better offer elsewhere, but could work something out if they could tighten up there prices on whatever it may be. Have a list made out.

Even if they are cheap on something, try get them down a bit more if you can. Just remember, they almost always have room to manoeuvre on all prices quoted.

Moonbeam

ask for more rooms too it is a good bargaining tool.
Do not sign any contracts until your bargaining is all done.

staengus

Really good information - must get cracking at all the comparisons tonight so.
They already have the date reserved for two weeks for us, as do another hotel.

Thanks eveybody

Sean_pop

Good luck.