Trouble Costumer

So I have a lady that has been contacting me about me possibly doing her wedding for about a month now. I also manage a wedding chapel so we have discussed multiple other topics like food costs etc... She can't seems to do the math correctly and is mainly calling my husband a liar but still is acting interested in all of the services offered to her. Now she wants to book for 9-17-10 and her cousin is due to get married her 9-25-10. With how many times we have met with her and discussed the services she called me yet again today questioning prices. My husband thinks I am horrible for doing this but I want to not have her as a customer. She has not put any money down and we do not hold dates at all. Her date is less than a month away I think it will be best for us to just avoid her all together. My husband thinks I am horrible and is actually mad at me for thinking this. He also wants to lower the price since her date is so close. (I want to smack him in the head) In the past we have "given deals" to brides that book close to their date and it has backfired almost every time. With them not looking at what they are really getting and wanting more for free.
Am I wrong for wanting to avoid this customer or should I let her book and just put up with her???

family and business, don't mix together very well.

First of all, you need to be firm on your prices. This woman is "kicking tires," as it were. Personally, I'd just refer this woman somewhere else as she's liable to be a problem not just now, but later on down the road. Your husband, while I understand that he's trying to be nice, is setting you and him up for a major headache - and really should take a class in small business management to better understand HOW to run a business, because that is what you two are doing.

If you DO decide to book your venue and services - here's my take.

Get a contract outlined if you plan to book the venue with this woman, and get a 50% deposit for ALL services/food/photogra​phy rendered at the time of signing. Make sure you sit down and explain your contract You do have one, yes? If not, better get one made with a lawyer or someone who has experience in this sort of thing - contracts are what will save your bacon in court if it ever goes there.

After explaining all of your terms and amending anything you two can compromise on, have her sign the contract with the deposit (retainer is a better word) and make sure she understands that since it is so close to the date of her venue, any cancellation will result in forfeiture of the deposit, with no refund.

If you already smell trouble, imagine what its going to be like actually doing business with her.

RUN!!

Go with your instinct. Funny how it always seems to be right about things.

Instead of telling her, "we don't want your business", just quote her a really high price. Then she will likely go away (win for you) or she pays the higher price and you make enough to cover the additional stress (also a win).

Why do you still answer her calls?

Zansho wrote in post #10739940
First of all, you need to be firm on your prices. This woman is "kicking tires," as it were. Personally, I'd just refer this woman somewhere else as she's liable to be a problem not just now, but later on down the road. Your husband, while I understand that he's trying to be nice, is setting you and him up for a major headache - and really should take a class in small business management to better understand HOW to run a business, because that is what you two are doing.

If you DO decide to book your venue and services - here's my take.

Get a contract outlined if you plan to book the venue with this woman, and get a 50% deposit for ALL services/food/photogra​phy rendered at the time of signing. Make sure you sit down and explain your contract You do have one, yes? If not, better get one made with a lawyer or someone who has experience in this sort of thing - contracts are what will save your bacon in court if it ever goes there.

After explaining all of your terms and amending anything you two can compromise on, have her sign the contract with the deposit (retainer is a better word) and make sure she understands that since it is so close to the date of her venue, any cancellation will result in forfeiture of the deposit, with no refund.

Zansho is completely right!!!!!

noxcuses1 wrote in post #10739982
Go with your instinct. Funny how it always seems to be right about things.

+1

DO NOT LOWER YOUR PRICES!! Not for her anyways.
It makes you come off as looking desperate to book and it'll give her the impression that with enough badgering you'll bow to her every request.

Go on as business as usual. Do not lower your price to get her to book, do not hold the date for her, Don't completely avoid her, because it can turn around to look bad on you. And whatever you do, do not listen to your husband... Let him think you're a horrible person. You'll save both of you a huge headache!

It sounds like this woman is the type that just sucks the life out of people!

in the most businesses, waiting till the last minute and still expecting your service to show up by when you need it results in an expedite charge. In other words, the longer you wait to commit, the more it costs you.

The Close is often the most difficult part of the sales process, esp with a difficult customer.

As devito observed in a movie once 'The first thing a bad salesman does is drop his price'.

don't be a bad salesman. what you offer has value, and you are entitled to be compensated for it.

I agree. A non-refundable deposit would be good since the date is fast approaching, and it seems you have little agreement on anything so far.

Poe wrote in post #10740092
I agree. A non-refundable deposit would be good since the date is fast approaching, and it seems you have little agreement on anything so far.

Good point. Just tell her you need the deposit by Friday or you are giving her date away.

I pity the poor sap who marries her. Unless she's hot.

I'm not a professional photographer, yet, but I've been in business management most of my working life. If you are not in desperate need for the gig, you might consider turning her down. If no money has changed hands, you're not obligated to deal with her further. Imagine the things she'll say, to whomever will listen, after the job is behind you.

Sometimes it's better to cut bait and run.

As has been stated though, if you go ahead you need a signature on a concise and clearly worded contract and full payment up front. Get her to sign an acceptance declaration upon review of your work before you release it to her.

cigarviper wrote in post #10740133
I pity the poor sap who marries her. Unless she's hot.

Looks fade, even with plastic surgery. then your left with a bitchy ugly woman who holds onto her faded youth and has no redeeming qualities, or you get to give her half your stuff to be free of her.

Did you consider, though, she might be the nice one?

R-U-N F-A-S-T

Flores wrote in post #10740247
Looks fade, even with plastic surgery. then your left with a bitchy ugly woman who holds onto her faded youth and has no redeeming qualities, or you get to give her half your stuff to be free of her.

Did you consider, though, she might be the nice one?

Ya but, did I mention she might be hot?