I'll pay if I like your photos...

Considering what it took for the customer to suggest a discounted price before hiring the photographer, I'd say that recommending craigslist was very appropriate.

I think the OP was as nice as she had to be--again, it didn't strike me as rude at all. It might actually benefit the couple to know they have craigslist as an alternative.

I think the point being missed is that Kristen (OP) assessed the email and it seems decided it was too risky working with these clients. She wasn't looking for the right phrasing that would somehow make this photo shoot come together.

I did notice the spellyng erorrs too--not an issue with clients you're not intending to work with; but as a habit, I'd be a little more careful.

There's no obligation to let the potential clients know about alternative options. Turning them away and pointing them toward Craigslist is basically telling them that your services might not be worth what you are charging. If they find a photographer on Craiglist with results that they are satisfied with, that's what they learn from the experience.

"Oh wow, your photos look amazing. You must have paid a fortune for the photographer!"
"You know what? I didn't. I almost went with this professional photographer, but she directed me to Craigslist and I found this guy who did them for half the price! For your wedding next year, I recommend you look around on Craigslist, too!"

Even if it is risky at this point in time for her to be dealing with the potential clients, that does not excuse her from being professional and courteous (and spelling-error free). As a photographer, she not only provides photographs but also good customer service. The potential clients could shop around and then later realize that they were initially overly cautious. They could come back and be more reasonable the next time around.

Entertaining thread, but I'd simply not reply back if I was the photographer, and if I was the client getting the recommendation that I can't afford them so look to Craigslist, I'd also simply not respond back.

The whole situation is ridiculous and needs to be avoided as there will only be further problems to come.

Thank the high heavens this has never happen to me. But if anything even remotely close were to arise, it signals red flags everywhere that this is not a client you want to work with. Therefore the short answer would simply say you are not available at the specified date and politely decline the engagement. There is no need to continue with the melee.

mpix345 wrote in post #16588491
The inquiry spoke to concerns about quality. The part of the reply about the web site showcasing what they can expect was perfect, but the part about their budget and suggesting craigslist was out of line imo.

rivas8409 wrote in post #16588545
I agree. The girl said they'd pay your full price, so your prices are obvisouly within their budget. I don't think their budget was an issue.

I think that the price is very much the issue. I very much doubt that they are worrying about the quality, they are just hoping for a naive photographer (who is confident their work WILL be satisfactory) to agree to that suggestion, then guess what? Regardless of how brilliant the images actually are, they won't be fully satisfied, they will make all sorts of negative comments and then say "we did agree that you would reduce the price if we weren't satisfied, so how about we pay $xxx instead".

That request is clearly from someone who has NO intention of being satisfied with the results, however good they are.

OP, what did they reply?

sandpiper wrote in post #16588822
I think that the price is very much the issue. I very much doubt that they are worrying about the quality, they are just hoping for a naive photographer (who is confident their work WILL be satisfactory) to agree to that suggestion, then guess what? Regardless of how brilliant the images actually are, they won't be fully satisfied, they will make all sorts of negative comments and then say "we did agree that you would reduce the price if we weren't satisfied, so how about we pay $xxx instead".

That request is clearly from someone who has NO intention of being satisfied with the results, however good they are.

^^^^^ ding ding ding we have a winner!!! Spot on!

I think it's always offputting when someone in a business or profession tells a prospect anything that boils down to "Maybe you can't afford it." Don't presume to know the prospect's financial status, even if there are signs. You can insult a poor person by implying that she's poor. You can also insult a rich person by implying that she's poor.

OhLook wrote in post #16588875
I think it's always offputting when someone in a business or profession tells a prospect anything that boils down to "Maybe you can't afford it." Don't presume to know the prospect's financial status, even if there are signs. You can insult a poor person by implying that she's poor. You can also insult a rich person by implying that she's poor.

I agree. Look at Oprah and her experience with an expensive handbag in Sweden.

sandpiper wrote in post #16588822
I think that the price is very much the issue. I very much doubt that they are worrying about the quality, they are just hoping for a naive photographer (who is confident their work WILL be satisfactory) to agree to that suggestion, then guess what? Regardless of how brilliant the images actually are, they won't be fully satisfied, they will make all sorts of negative comments and then say "we did agree that you would reduce the price if we weren't satisfied, so how about we pay $xxx instead".

That request is clearly from someone who has NO intention of being satisfied with the results, however good they are.

+1. This is the type of customer to avoid.

Your response was perfect and I would avoid this client for sure. Even if they loved your pics, I suspect they would find fault... trouble with a capital T!

OhLook wrote in post #16588875
I think it's always offputting when someone in a business or profession tells a prospect anything that boils down to "Maybe you can't afford it." Don't presume to know the prospect's financial status, even if there are signs. You can insult a poor person by implying that she's poor. You can also insult a rich person by implying that she's poor.

Is there a post in here where someone suggested the 'maybe cant afford' notion? The OP merely stated in their reply that their pricing is fixed. (I have to disagree with the notion of an insulted rich person as well, the rich person doesn't feel nearly as bad as one who is actually in poverty, as the rich person just checks their off-shore un-American tax-evading bank statements, while the one in poverty has to pound the streets for change in order to get something to eat. We could easily make further blanket assumptions and generalizations like maybe this client is just a cheapskate who doesn't see value in private small business owner's time.)

I think Sandpiper hit the nail directly on the head. This client is someone who has no intention of being satisfied. The client will pay only if they are 100% satisfied. That doesn't work anywhere else in any business.

That would be like hiring a person to build a rear deck/porch for one's house, and saying that they'd only pay the worker once it's all done and built... if they like it. That wouldn't fly anywhere else for any work. Slavery is illegal (unless for conviction of a crime).

This client is not applying normal business practices found everywhere else in our society, to photographers. This client's notions and thought process on this devalue photography. If the client doesn't get the engagement photos they're looking for I wouldn't be the least bit surprised, especially if they're contacting other photographers with the same demeanor that they did with the OP. How have they never heard; 'you get what you pay for'?

But I think the OP handled it very nicely with the reply. Very polite.

koala yummies wrote in post #16588957
Is there a post in here where someone suggested the 'maybe cant afford' notion? The OP merely stated in their reply that their pricing is fixed.

it was insinuated when the letter stated this.

"If you are seeking photograhy that may be more in your budget, Craigslist is a great place to look"

Not sure why that would say anything but being able to afford.

The OP did hande it politely, and professionally IMO. I just think that the craigslist recommendation and mention of the customers budget was unnecessary. It's true that the customer probably never had any intent to be 100% satisfied, and would find fault in any photos to get a "discount" but I think the reply should have ended with "My prices are fixed and not subject to approval."

Regardless, clients to avoid for sure.