Silly amaturish buisness question...

[dragnfly1996]

This season is my first busy season. I feel that the business side of things are going pretty well but I have come upon my first business quandary. I had a bride call me 10 days ago asking for an available date. She was so relived that it was open and said she'd contact me to set up a meeting. unfortunately I didn't get her number but did get her email address and I had offered to send her the contract and the website information. So I emailed her right away. The very same day I received an email from another bride wanting this same date. I told her that I had penciled in another bride but would contact her if that one fell through. Well, so far I have not heard back from the first bride. I emailed her an offer to meet that weekend. I emailed her again to tell her she should contact me soon because I had another inquiry for her date. Nothing. Meanwhile the 2nd bride emails me everyday asking if I had any news. They both want the same package.

So my question is, how long do I hold a date based on an inquiry? I don't want to lose bride #2 because I waited too long but I also don't want bride #1 calling and telling me she sent her deposit.

lesson #1 always get a phone number!!!

[LeesaB]

I think you have done all that is required of you to give the 1st bride an opportunity to book...Book the second bride. If the first one emails or calls you, send her a copy of all your contacts with her....You did the best you could do. I would book the date.

[kiwinvan]

I have been in the exact same situation several times this year. Up until this year I have held dates for the first person who had enquired. Now, the first person who signs a contract and sends a retainer gets the booking.

In my experience chances are, if you hold out for bride No 1 you have a chance of losing both of them.

You have her email address so you could email bride number 1 and give her a deadline, although it has already been 10 days, so I'd be tempted to move towards bride number 2.

When I meet prospective clients I always tell them that the date remains open until deposit and contract are covered - this will also give them a sense of urgency.

[liza]

Book the one who signs the contract and pays the retainer first. There are a lot of price shoppers out there who contact multiple photographers. Go with the "bird in the hand."

[forkball]

I'm in agreement with everyone else... go with the first one who pays the retainer. That's why you go through the trouble of doing the meeting and booking process.

[song4themoon]

If you emailed the bride number 1 to let her know there is another interest and she hasnt responded, then I would move on to bride number two.

If bride number one sends a deposit after that but bride number two booked you now then just send it back, explaining that you had to move on when you did not hear back from her

Rightfully you can turn to whoever you want since nobody actually signed a contract yet.. both brides know that, in order to have the date they have to sign and send the deposit, so if they dont do that then they are aware of the risk that the date might be taken

[dragnfly1996]

Thank you guys for the advice. I just emailed bride #2 and she got right back to me saying that she will be sending her deposit tonight :)

[mmahoney]

The lesson here is to get all contact info as early as feasible in the process and ensure that the prospect has a copy of (or is aware of) your terms & conditions.
Mike

[tlc]

as always, money talks.

btw - you hve a lovely website!

[sapearl]

Agreed - first signed contract and check in the mailbox gets the date.

I always try to point that out to people when getting inquiries, although sometimes I'll forget :rolleyes: But I do have that stated in my contract. - Stu

[karensimmons]

So my question is, how long do I hold a date based on an inquiry? Uh .. you don't. Ever. Ever ever ever ever.

Booking dates for me is on a first to sign basis. The first person who shows up with a contract and a retainer gets the date. I NEVER pencil in a bride. Ever. And you should call your second bride back and take her now before she gets tired of waiting and goes somewhere else.

Karen

[dragnfly1996]

Uh .. you don't. Ever. Ever ever ever ever.

Booking dates for me is on a first to sign basis. The first person who shows up with a contract and a retainer gets the date. I NEVER pencil in a bride. Ever. And you should call your second bride back and take her now before she gets tired of waiting and goes somewhere else.

Karen
Luckily I got to 2nd bride in time and she is sending the deposit. So I guess I just need to toughen up and stop trying to be so nice or I'll lose buisiness. Lessons learned.

[Banbert]

I always say the signed contract and retainer (we call it a deposit in the UK wthout any legal issues) is the only thing that secures the day but I always do what you have done in this case which is to try and tell any brides that have an outstanding enquiry that we have received another enquiry for their date and that whoever pays the deposit first secures the day first.

Its amazing how quickly the booking process speeds up when brides fear that their day is about to be booked by someone else, our busiest week of bookings was the week before we did our first wedding fair (and only one s far) and we told all our outstanding enquiries that we were doing it and their dates were regarded open unless we had received a deposit and contract, cleared up a lot of slow ones that week did :)

[tim]

Lesson #2, never hold dates. I've done it a few times and it's never helped, and often people pencil in days with a bunch of photographers then never get back to them.

If someone has verbally made a booking then give them 24 hours to reply, but don't tell the 2nd person who inquires - tell them you have to check your diary and you'll get back to them the next day. Yes a phone number is a good idea.

[davidgr]

Thank you guys for the advice. I just emailed bride #2 and she got right back to me saying that she will be sending her deposit tonight :)

Sending it?!?! With another bride waiting in the wings, I'd be in my car as fast as I could if I wanted you that bad. :)