Deposits (the money type)

[dpp]

Hello

I have a problem with receiving deposits for weddings and need some advice.

On my "thank you for booking letter" it clearly states that if deposits are not received within 14 days then I can not guarantee to hold the date.

I have been waiting for 1 month now for a deposit, what should I do.
I have sent 1 email to them and they assured me it would be in the post. The e-mail stated that if not received within 7 days I caould not guarantee the date.
7 days is up and I still do not have the deposit, what should I do?

[IndyJeff]

Send them a registered letter stating that the deposit has not been received as agreed upon so you are canceling the contract and will book another job for that date. Thank them for their intial interest and you wish them all the best.
Book another wedding or spend the day on a ride thru the country but, don't do that wedding. People who generally hold back on paying a required deposit are having a cash flow problem. When they keep on promising payment but come up with excuses as to why it hasn't been sent, they know the closer to the actual date the more likely you are to go ahead and do the wedding because you won't be able to book another on such short notice. Then when you do the wedding they will want to re-negotiate the price. What are you gonna do? You got the images but you also have all the time and effort invested and want to get something out of it.


If they are not paying you the deposit, what makes you think that you will get paid at all?

[dewmuw]

I agree with what both the guys said. Put it this way - if you kept on telling your electricity supplier that the cheque was in the post what would happen?

[vwpilot]

You need to move on and if you can book another job, do it. If you cannot and they finally get off their butts and send you the deposit they are still ok and you can do the job.

Good luck.

[robertwgross]

"For the wedding, we decided that we really don't need a photographer. All we need is somebody to take pictures."

<sheesh>

---Bob Gross---

[pradeep1]

I think this advice is good and applicable to any business where a deposit is required on order or the customer has some expectation of credit for doing business with you. I have a import/wholesale business and now I require a deposit on all orders, and if you are a new customer with little contacts or credit references - payment in advance on order. If you don't want to do that, goodbye.

I've fooled with these deposit types for a long time and have quickly learned to weed them out. If they can't make the deposit, there is a good chance they won't pay you on shipment.