Paying customer-part time thief

Some people has balls. Last year I shot some fast boats from a heli for a poker run. The photos came out great. I posted them for sale and have had some nice orders.

One customer wants to order 2 11x14's and a 20x30 of his buddies boat for Christmas. I cut him a deal since I can get free shipping on this order and it is local delivery so no shipping.

I deliver the prints to his work office and he loves them. He can't believe that I could get the print to look that good since the ones on the web are not super clear.

As I look over his shoulder I see a framed 8x10 of his boat along with my watermark going all the way across the print. He downloaded and printed the photo of his boat. No wonder he didn't think my delivered prints would be that good.

I left without saying anything about his print. If he mentioned he wanted an 8x10 of his boat with the order I probably would of given him the print.

His loss.

That sucks. He should have at least hidden the damned thing when you came over. On the bright side, everyone will know he stole it since he printed it watermark and all.

I don't really see this as a bad thing, especially considering you really can't stop it. The guy printed out a crappy quality pic of yours from the internet, then decided to order some really nice ones.

Your watermark worked, got you business, made you money.

And probably a repeat customer if you do boat pictures again.

Didn't he buy some other prints. So what he printed crappy photo with watermark. I just hope that you sold 11x14 and 20x30 at good prices.

xpsentity wrote in post #4621533
I don't really see this as a bad thing, especially considering you really can't stop it. The guy printed out a crappy quality pic of yours from the internet, then decided to order some really nice ones.

Your watermark worked, got you business, made you money.

And probably a repeat customer if you do boat pictures again.

I agree with most of what you stated. I was annoying to see someone taking advantage of my work even though he did buy other prints for his friend. Like I stated earlier, I probably would of given him an 8x10 with his order.

cdifoto,

LOL, yup, his buddies will know he stole his. That is what cracks me up.

xpsentity wrote in post #4621533
And probably a repeat customer if you do boat pictures again.

Where is that POTN member that says watermarks suck, he should get in here.

bobbyz wrote in post #4621555
Didn't he buy some other prints. So what he printed crappy photo with watermark. I just hope that you sold 11x14 and 20x30 at good prices.

I gave him a good deal on the prints I sold. I don't like it when someone assumes that they can take something of mine.

Yeah the watermark did it's job, sure. It still stings though...kinda like a shot to the gut...to see someone printing your work without permission...even if they still buy prints.

He sees the value in buying quality boats, not quality photographs.

Maybe he needs the cash for gas.

cosworth wrote in post #4621571
Where is that POTN member that says watermarks suck, he should get in here.

I can tell you that I will never put up another photo on the net without a watermark unless I want it stolen.

kona77 wrote in post #4621583
I can tell you that I will never put up another photo on the net without a watermark unless I want it stolen.

My website pics are only 435 on the long side and I still put my logo/watermark on 'em. Although admittedly it's not that hard to pull off in most images. Good luck with a quality print at 3 PPI though.

cdifoto wrote in post #4621588
My website pics are only 435 on the long side and I still put my logo/watermark on 'em. Although admittedly it's not that hard to pull off in most images. Good luck with a quality print at 3 PPI though.

HAHAHA, maybe they want to put it on a pocketwatch face.

You should have looked over his shoulder and said "Darn, I'm sorry I forgot to take the watermark off when I sold you that last shot ... no wait a miniute..."

kona77 wrote in post #4621566
I agree with most of what you stated. I was annoying to see someone taking advantage of my work even though he did buy other prints for his friend. Like I stated earlier, I probably would of given him an 8x10 with his order.

cdifoto,

LOL, yup, his buddies will know he stole his. That is what cracks me up.

If I were you I would make him a 8x10 and go in there and tell him to replace
the one he took off of the web site and put the good one up so when he shows it to people it don look like a low res pic.. IMOP

EOSAddict wrote in post #4621611
You should have looked over his shoulder and said "Darn, I'm sorry I forgot to take the watermark off when I sold you that last shot ... no wait a miniute..."

HAHA, yes, that would of been fun. But if 3 or 4 seconds of lightspeed thought process I remembered all of the people he know at the event. Thus I didn't want to piss him off, I want him on my side to tell everyone about those great prints he bought.