Clients that tick you off /rant

So I meet with a client this morning about doing a wedding for her. I charge $1200 for a wedding. She found me on craigslist where I advertise. We talked for about half an hour and then she told me that she wanted to go with me. Great. I had a contract with me so we went over it together and signed it. I take a $400 deposit to "save the date" which is industry standard....most photographers take half.

So I leave and 10 minutes later her fiance calls me and tells me that there is no way he feels comfortable giving me $400 because asking for that much makes me look like a "scam artist". I tell him that it is industry standard. He responds and tells me that it is "illegal for me to take anything more than 10%" he then tries to give me a speach that he took buisness classes and yada yada yada. I'm trying to not burst out laughing at this point because the guy is so full of it. Then he tells me the most he is willing to give me is $100. I told him I would think about it.

So at this point I am probably going to rip up the $400 check he gave me and tell him good luck in finding a legitimate wedding photographer that will take a $100 depost on a $1200 wedding. What would you do in a situation like this?

I'd cancel on them and return the check to them.

If they're this much of a pain in the arse just image what it'll be like later when you did not get a shot they did not tell you they wanted or insist that they have all images and not just the keepers, etc.

These people are going to be a big regret if you keep them, I am afraid.

I'd say sure... I will tentatively reserve your wedding date for $100 with the understanding that if another customer pays the proper $400 amount to reserve their wedding for that same date you will be bumped.

Gee, I've been doing this for 25 years, taking 1/3 down (non refundable).
I've been illegal for all these years?????
Give him his check back. This is too hard a business to have to put up with excess bull.

agreed with the above. I'd tell them "thanks for your interest, but I don't think I'm the right photographer for you. Here is your check back. Good luck."

call it something else..i think the deposit word is what got to them.

"booking fee"

"retainer"

"date keeper fee"

? would that work?

There in California I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't some silly deposit/retainer cap on the legislative books somewhere.

This is a warning sign that you should pay attention to. Return the cheque and wish them good luck finding a photographer.

Agreed, wave goodbye and pass the stress on to another...if they are lucky!

Yup I am with Tim, you just got a great headsup for what comes next, they will want a full refund or reshoot at your cost for some perceived wrong. Bail now while you can. Otherwise cash the check and stand by your contract.

But the likely hood that the groom is a PITA is going up as we speak.

Never argue with people about this. Simply say "I understand you might not be comfortable with this but it is how my business has been set up..." and don't budge. Don't defend it. Don't apologize. Just state the facts. If they move on, that's fine

Bobby

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San Diego Wedding Photographer (blog)
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the Raddest Photo Trip Ever!!!
Come on the next one Dec 6th-19th 2010!!!!!

I don't see any need to argue and/or walk away as a next step. This is not a deposit on services that haven't been rendered yet, it's a retainer; a fee paid to guarantee their day on your calendar. If after that explanation, they're still not cool with it, then let them have their money back and move on. But it's very possible that they simply don't understand what that money is for and are failing to view it in its proper context. I also suspect they have already written large deposit checks (as opposed to retainers) to their caterer, florist, for the gown, and everything else.

Here's how I see it. This guy is calling the fee indicative of a "scam artist" , he's taken a business course , what you are doing is illegal if you exceed 10%. If this is what you are hearing just to book the gig...what are you going to hear AFTER the wedding is over?
I would see this as a sure indication of the way everything will go. I would steer as far away from this as I could.
I have found that the clients that pay the least amount for my services want as much as they can possibly squeeze out of me. Always pushing for the next "freebee"
"You mean that wasn't included in my contract?? It should have been!! My friend got married and it was in his contract" blah, blah, blah This guy needs a "thanks but no thanks". Return his check.

Peacefield wrote in post #10147983
This is not a deposit on services that haven't been rendered yet, it's a retainer; a fee paid to guarantee their day on your calendar.

Its only a retainer if the contract calls it a retainer. The law (Judge) could care less "what you meant to say". Or how you treat the situation after the money had passed hands. He will only care about the wording printed on the contract. I would take it that the OP contract says deposit at that is what he called it.

But your definition is right. Retainer services are rendered the moment the money passes. Retainers save a date/time. They are not prepayment of services to be performed at a later date. This is why they are not commonly refunded, even in court. If it is deposit on the contract spend the money to have it changed, this week!

Look at it this way...If Lawyers use the term retainer..... its good enough for us.

I had a bride referred through a friend. All the bells and flags were going up when I talked to her, but ignored it since my friend told me she was good to go. Should have listened to my instinct, and I've been doing this too long to even think I'd got roped into something like this one client. I actually lost money shooting her wedding, just so I don't get bad rep. through her.

The moral of the story is, listen to your instinct. There's always better people out there, or you can enjoy a weekend with your family.