stupid propective client

Recently bid on a project. The prospective client list A as her requirement with sample images supporting it. I gave her my work exp in the area of A, sample images to prove, and a quote. Also mentioned I am available to meet or a phone conversation for further discussion. Finally got a response today saying they chose someone else because he has experience in B. What throws me off is I actually have more experience in B than A. But this prospect never mention anything about B. Anyway just want to hear other people's story of stupid prospective clients to make myself feel better.

Sorry, man. If I knew are competing for this gig I wouldn't have done that long lunch with the client, done all that listening, and pitched the alternative approach.

Sincerely,
Your Friend the Competitor

AZGeorge puts it very well--that was pretty much my take from the OP.

Do you call all prospective clients that don't hire you stupid?

Win a few loose a bunch. Thats how it goes.

The trick in business is always to give the customer what they want, not what they ask for. I've got tons of stories where I've had customers, non-photography business, who didn't realize that these two things aren't always the same. The only way to be able to identify this is to have a conversation with them, and that's part of being in business. That's why when people ask me for what it would take to do "X" I always talk to them to find out what there plans are for "X" because "Y" may be a better solution.

For this customer, I'd follow up and let them now you're sorry that you couldn't work with them on this particular project. However, the next time they have a project of the same type you hope they'll reach out to you because of your experience with "B". Be sure to include the documentation on your "B" experience like you did "A". You may have lost this one job but you could potentially get future jobs from this customer, loose the battle but win the war.

I was going to mention the same thing as Matt above. It may also give them another option if the job does not work out with the other bidder.
Positive follow up even when you do not get the job may lead to other opportunities in the future. Never close a door that might lead to other things in the future.

You may not have had a chance from the get go. They may have thought that telling you how much experience in subject B their 'winning' photographer has would make you stop asking questions or go away, when in reality, they may have just picked a photographer they had a pre-existing relationship or a personal preference for. That's how business goes.

You should ask the Government about their bidding process, and whether the 'best' contractor actually gets the gig every time...

Maybe they like the other person better judging by how you call prospective clients stupid.

Sometimes, it's not just experience, but also style that matters to clients. Photographer A could have all the experience and client list to boot, but Photographer B could have a certain edge or style to their work that the client likes.

Is AZgeorge the guy that won the contract?
Awkward..

^It's pretty clear that AZgeorge was playing the part of the guy who won to make his fantastic point.

michaelanthony wrote in post #17253055
Sometimes, it's not just experience, but also style that matters to clients. Photographer A could have all the experience and client list to boot, but Photographer B could have a certain edge or style to their work that the client likes.

I know that feeling.

I've got mountains of experience. Creatively, though, my daughter runs circles around me...

kenwood33 wrote in post #17251835
Recently bid on a project. The prospective client list A as her requirement with sample images supporting it. I gave her my work exp in the area of A, sample images to prove, and a quote. Also mentioned I am available to meet or a phone conversation for further discussion. Finally got a response today saying they chose someone else because he has experience in B. What throws me off is I actually have more experience in B than A. But this prospect never mention anything about B. Anyway just want to hear other people's story of stupid prospective clients to make myself feel better.

You'll get used to it .. (not). Maybe next time say, I can do what you ask for and all this other stuff as well. I assume the client saw your website?

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #17251942
Do you call all prospective clients that don't hire you stupid?

Stop picking the guy to pieces. He lost a deal, it hurts.

Instead of being a total wanker you could act like a fellow photographer and let the guy vent and maybe even offer some sympathy. But oh no, it's much easier to be a twathead troll.