In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of people are more interested in collecting experiences instead of things these days. Catered events have always been popular, but now they’re more popular than ever. If you find yourself getting ready to organize a catered event, whether it’s a big corporate party or a small private get-together, you’ll probably find a lot of different choices in your area. How do you make sense of them? How do you choose the right one?
Sometimes, it helps to know what to avoid. In order to help your research, take a look at the following three signs of an unprofessional caterer.
1. A disorganized web site
Obviously, a snappy and professional-looking web site does not necessarily mean you are dealing with a reputable company. After all, web sites are very easy to create these days. Anyone can use a popular service like Wix or WordPress, choose a template, fill in their information, and have a good-looking web site. But as you browse the site, you should be more of a sense of how organized and professional this company actually is. In some cases, catering companies have dated and disorganized web sites that may reflect on the service you would actually experience at your event. A web site that presents relevant information with plenty of photos, and clear descriptions of the services offered, is a good sign that you are dealing with a professional.
2. Lack of positive reviews
The importance of reviews in this day and age can hardly be overstated. It’s a chance to see directly into the experiences of other customers, and weight the professionalism of a catering company based on direct evidence. If a company has a lot of middling or bad reviews, this is a definite warning sign. New companies may not have many reviews yet, and this is also something to be careful of. Experienced caterers should have amassed good review scores, and you should find a lot of very happy clients using their own words to describe the company’s professionalism.
3. Unclear pricing
When a caterer can’t give you definite and dependable pricing based on the size of your event and the menu options you choose, it’s a definite red flag. Some companies even tack on extra charges at the end, or put fees into the fine print where clients don’t notice them. This is a terrible way to do business, as it alienates people and harms the company’s long-term reputation. Clear and reliable pricing is one of the hallmarks of a good catering company.
4. Poor communication
Sometimes, catering companies bite off more than they can chew (no pun intended). It may be because they’re just starting out, or it may be that their approach to business is somehow unprofessional. Overbooked caterers often take longer to get back to their clients, if they get back to them at all. Some catering companies are simply disorganized and do not exhibit good communication skills. Whatever the case, poor communication is a big risk for the success of your event. Any professional and qualified catering company knows the value of communication, and will go the extra mile to make sure each event is a success.
Remember, the company you choose will have a huge impact on the success of your catered event. Best of luck!