P is for Pots and Pans Scam #atozchallenge #wedding

In the letter A post I talked about wedding shows and all the great prizes there are to win. Today I’ll talk about the dark side.

There is a company that will rip you off. They sell very expensive cookware, sometimes that isn’t even dishwasher safe. It comes with a giveaway, allegedly, for a free Honeymoon * ß asterisk

Brides and grooms get called in for a presentation. That’s where you get some of your cookware and that magical honeymoon. And then the selling begins. Oh no, you don’t want to leave early! If you leave, you don’t get the magical unicorn’s free and super ultra awesome gift. (A bag of plain M&M’s when I went. Not even a big bag, a regular checkout size one.)

The one-two punch of cookware that you’ll be paying for indefinitely… seriously, it never gets paid off, the bills are like bunnies. It’s worse than an “of the month” club. And that Honeymoon that’s “free” … it barely even counts as a timeshare. You have a tiny window of time to choose from, usually during hurricane season, and it isn’t all expenses paid.  In fact, you’ll end up spending more just trying to get to an acceptable level of decent and safe.

So avoid this scam, or at least research with extreme vigilance. Get your pots and pans from a reputable location. Win a Honeymoon elsewhere. And never give out your credit card number or write a check to someone you don’t know. Identity theft and a hijacked credit score is no way to start a marriage.

The debate rages on at: http://forums.theknot.com/discussion/925257/are-vacation-giveaways-through-cookware-companies-a-scam

Tomorrow will be about QR codes and how they can help you get more wedding pictures!

A is for Address Labels at Wedding Shows #atozchallenge

If you haven’t thought about going to bridal shows, you should. Why? Prizes and discounts! The larger the population of your area is, the bigger and better the shows will be. Most of the vendors will have entries for giveaways.

Here’s today’s insider tip: Save your hand by making address labels. The 30 to a sheet size is ideal. (Avery 8160)  Use a size 8 or 10 font. Here’s what to put.

 Include the name of the bride and the groom. Some vendors will ask about him (Not many, but some.) [For you same-gender couples, just put “groom” and “groom” or “bride” and “bride” or however you wish to be referred to as. My blog doesn’t discriminate, but it does use shorthand where possible!]

Use only one address. Having everything sent to one location will make your life easier in the long run.

Include your wedding date. EVERY vendor will want that. Pick a season at the very least, a month is good too. But an exact date will help tremendously, EVEN IF IT’S FAKE! Yes, you can fib here. Change the date later. Unless you’ve signed contracts or put down deposits on something, it isn’t a big deal.

Email, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter  -- Some vendors will toss in extra contest entries for “likes” or “follows.” Your Pinterest board probably has loads of ideas of what you want (useful for cake decorators, florists, bridal shops, etc when they seek to please you).

Phone number – They all want it. They will call you. You will end up on calling lists. You will have signed up for those, which is the Do Not Call List work around. Consider this when you decide what number to put down.

*Your area code and 555-1212 is the number for information. A computer can’t deal with that situation and will thus be unable to reach you via autodial. A human can ask for the number from the operator. (If they reach you or not depends on if you’re listed.) So, for example, the number for information in Manhattan is (212)555-1212. You’ll have business cards from everywhere and you’ll be able to call THEM on your own terms. Or, if there’s someone you especially want a call from, you can always say, “Let me give you my other number.” *

Number of guests – If you happen to know it, or can make a guess within 25. (50 people, 75 people, 125 people...)

Name of Wedding and Reception location- After you’ve booked them and paid for it. Skip this if you don’t have it yet. You might win one!

While attending wedding shows my friends and I have won:

• A $300 tiara
• $150 off a wedding cake
• 3 free tux rentals
• A crystal vase
• A deviled egg holder plate
• A $500 spa trip

There have also been items that were “WON” – note the quotes. Come back for letter P to learn more about that.