Bridal Fair Switch-a-roo

[HotHolly]

For those of you who do bridal shows...I signed up to be in a bridal fair this weekend for the bridal shop. Its the largest one in this area. When he asked me if I wanted the booth, he told me that its next to David's booths and inside. He told me to check it out on the vendor map. I did. Location looked good. Today when I went to show Mike where our booth is, we have been relocated to an OUTDOOR area. wth?

Has this happened to you before? What would you do? I cant be outside with wedding gowns. What if it rains or we have a dust storm?!?!?! At the very least it is always windy here. I told him NO OUTSIDE when he 1st offered me the space. He didnt even tell me that he moved my booth.

What would you do with this?

[Howard Barlow]

It could be a mistake that will be remedied. If not, if you signed a contract including that specific spot, I would mention breach of contract. OTOH, if the exact spot is not guaranteed, read the fine print, it may even say you can be moved, then you have a decision to make. Probably lose your money, though, if you don't accept the spot.

[CaptainTom]

Raise Hell. If he moved you without telling you, he can move someone else outside and put you back inside.

[Jeff Lane]

I don't know much about bridal fairs specifically, but the operators who run trade shows, home shows, craft fairs, etc., can sometimes be pretty slack with the terms of their contracts. Howard is right that this may just be an oversight or simple mistake on the part of the operator. Give him the benefit of the doubt going in, and you might be able to resolve the situation quickly and painlessly, and build a good relationship that will benefit you in the future.

Or it may be that some squeakier wheel got greased while your back was turned, and an unscrupulous operator screwed you because he knew the contract he drafted was not specific enough to let you enforce what he promised you in order to get your signature on a document and your money in his pocket.

For the immediate situation:

If he's the largest bridal fair operator in your area, he may want to guard his reputation a little bit, and the prospect of having his good name bandied about in forae like this one would not be a good thing. Explain why you can't be in an outside booth, and remind him about his prior representations. If he bows up and acts like a general turd about the whole thing, your response will depend on a number of things: (1) what exactly does your written contract say about rights and remedies; (2) did you prepay everything, or is there a way for you to cut your losses and just back out; (3) if you prepaid everything, is it worth your while to pursue him in litigation (i.e., is the money involved more than what a lawyer will cost, are there witnesses to bolster your version of what he represented to you, etc.); and (4) do you have enough clout withing the community of wedding services providers to effectively warn others away from a jerk.

When you confront the guy, be prepared by having already thought through what you want, what you're willing to give up to get it, and how far you're willing to go to secure what was promised to you. Without this forethought you're only negotiating against yourself.

For the bigger lesson:

No contract is perfect. Nobody can anticipate every possible hiccup in even the simplest of commercial transactions. So, if the exact location of a booth is critical, make that part of the writing. If exact location is not critical, but being inside is, make that part of the writing. Just THINK about what is most important to you, and ensure that's written in there somewhere. (By the way, if you're starting with a pre-printed form contract that doesn't include these terms, it's good enough if it's handwritten in the margins or on the back, and initialled by both parties -- anything to prove you discussed and agreed to that term of the bargain.)

Finally, there's an ironic lesson about contracts that even many lawyers don't get for the longest time: NOBODY LOOKS AT THE CONTRACT UNTIL SOMETHING GOES WRONG OR SOMEBODY'S UNHAPPY FOR WHATEVER REASON. But when the manure hits the oscillator, THEN the precise terms of the contract matter very much. Before you fork over the money (or commit to doing so), make sure the contract says just what you will want it to say if things go wrong.

[CaptainTom]

What a thoughtful response from Jeff.

Are you a psychologist, lawyer, minister, business consultant, all the above ?

[HotHolly]

I did examine the contract closely before signing it. I didnt anticipate being tossed outside. I had a lot of crap with the local bridal fair last year so I examined my contact closely.

Would you anticipate needing a clause that states your booth cannot be moved outdoors? Does this kind of stuff happen to anyone else and bridal fairs? Unexpected oddities seems to happen no matter what I do or what precautions I take, when it comes to bridal fairs.

Is it common for bridal fairs to even be outside? Metro area people, feel free to chime in. If its normal, then Im an idiot for not thinking to specify, but I have yet to attend a show that was mostly inside with 5% of the vendors outside...unless they were selling hotdogs off a truck.

Edit: Sit. fixed. Im back inside. Miscommunication. Oih Vey!

[Jeff Lane]

Are you a psychologist, lawyer, minister, business consultant, all the above ?

Well, this spooky. I am a lawyer. My practice is primarily providing small business consulting services. I have worked as a minister in the past (and one of my daughters is a minister in Atlanta). My undergraduate degree is in psychology (and my other daughter is a child psychologist). And to the best of my knowledge, Tom, you and I have never met.

So, what are you Cap'n -- a prophet? Or just the most prescient guy I've run across lately?

[Mindy H]

I've only done one fair...and, something similar happened to me because other venors voiced opinions when the layout was being given to the vendors so I got bumped. I had to speak up and make my case...in the end, I ended up with the best spot. Just be 'the squeaky wheel'...you might end up pleased with a new arrangement in the end. Good luck!

[Jeff Lane]

I know NOTHING about bridal fairs, but I don't know I would have given much forethought to the prospect of having my booth kicked to the curb. That just seems too bizarre to me to be worth anticipating. It may be more common than I would think, but GEEZ it seems odd. (So, if I hear a hint of self-questioning in your post, Holly, don't beat yourself up.)

Again, no contract can be perfect, and it's not realistic to think that you could anticipate every bizarre possibility. That fact, however, might also be as much an opportunity as it is a problem. If everyone else's experience with bridal fairs makes this just a ridiculous thing to have to think about, it could help make your case against the guy (assuming you'll be pursuing a case against the guy), or help you negotiate an acceptable solution.

Another great law school lesson (you guys probably didn't think you'd be getting such a load of law school mularky -- or that anyone would be this long-winded on this forum) -- Even if the contract doesn't cover absolutely EVERY contingency, there are always arguments to be made that make something worth fighting over. It's almost never completely black and white, and almost everything can be negotiated if the pressures and incentives are right.

So, read and think about what options your contract does give you, think about what you really really want, what you'll really give up, and how far you'll go, and GO GET'EM, LADY!

And post back here to let us know how it worked out for you. If it goes badly, don't be afraid to relate the details fairly and forthrightly, and identify the jerk to others to warn them to be careful. (Remember -- truth is an absolute defense to a defamation claim, so be scrupulously truthful.)

Good luck.

[HotHolly]

I heard back from him a few mins ago. The vendor map columns had shifted. No one's booth was moved. Typo. Thank goodness.

This kinda thing just seems to happen to me. I was trying to figure out how to have the brides wearing $2K gowns next to the hot dog guy. Jeeze. Glad I dont have to do that.

[Mindy H]

Glad it was just a mix up....I was ticked off for you!

[carrbowl]

Well ya gotta like that...learn a lesson and you don't even get screwed learning it!!! Don't get lucky that often!!! Go buy a lottery ticket Holly...it's your lucky day!!!

[CaptainTom]

So, what are you Cap'n -- a prophet? Or just the most prescient guy I've run across lately?

Yep ! and I knew you'd say that !

[bondarnes]

My wife produces a local show and the only vendors we put outside are the Limo and Carriage folks. They have never mentioned wanting to be inside.

[Ahh!]

The venue would probably require draining the tanks, which is pretty tricky on horses!