Vendor Quote Comparison Side by Side

Here is the side-by-side for the Dillon rehearsal dinner food, Friday, 62 guests, buffet style, at Riverton Garden Hall, 8050 Pineton St, Coralhill.

| Item | Rushton Catering (Armando Elliott, 330-555-0192) | Riverton Table & Co (Beatrice Gaines, 330-555-0193) |
|---|---|---|
| Food price per person | $48 | $41 |
| Menu | 2 entrees, 2 sides, salad, rolls | 2 entrees, 1 side, salad, rolls |
| Vegetarian entree | Available, same price | Adds $3 per person who chooses it |
| Staff | 4 staff, 4 hours, included | 3 staff at $35 per hour, 4 hours |
| Setup | Included | $150 |
| Teardown | Included | Not listed |
| Service charge | 18% | None listed |
| Tax | Not listed | Not listed |
| Deposit | $1,000 | 25% |
| Balance due | 7 days before the event | Day of event |
| Cancellation | Not listed | Deposit not refundable |

Totals for 62 guests

• Rushton: 62 x $48 = $2,976. Service charge 18% of $2,976 = $535.68. Total $3,511.68, before any tax.
• Riverton Table: 62 x $41 = $2,542. Staff 3 x $35 x 4 hours = $420. Setup $150. Total $3,112, before any vegetarian add-on, teardown, or tax.
• Riverton Table vegetarian add-on: $3 for each guest who chooses it. For example, 5 vegetarian guests would add $15, but the real number is not known yet.

Against the $4,500 food budget

• Rushton is $988.32 under budget.
• Riverton Table is $1,388 under budget, before the unknown items.

Deposits

• Rushton: $1,000 now.
• Riverton Table: 25% of $3,112 = $778, based on the total above.

Key differences

• Rushton includes setup, teardown, a second side, and the vegetarian entree at no extra cost. Riverton Table charges for setup and does not mention teardown.
• Riverton Table has the lower total, but it has more open items that could raise the price.
• Riverton Table asks for the balance on the day of the event. Rushton asks for it 7 days before.
• Riverton Table's deposit is not refundable. Rushton's quote says nothing about cancellation.

Our recommendation
We recommend Rushton Catering. The price is higher, but more is included, the vegetarian entree is covered, and you have already done a tasting and liked the food. Riverton Table costs less on paper, but teardown and the vegetarian count are still open and their reply time was 3 days. If Ari Dillon wants to save money, Riverton Table is a fair option once those gaps are answered.

Questions for the owner

• Ask Rushton: Is tax charged on top of the $3,511.68? What are the cancellation terms?
• Ask Riverton Table: Is teardown included, and if not, what does it cost? Is tax charged? Is the 25% deposit based on the full total including staff and setup?
• Ask Ari Dillon: How many guests will need the vegetarian entree?
• Contract and cancellation wording should be reviewed by a licensed professional before the client signs. Confirm local tax and service charge rules locally.