So, The Wife gets a wedding call...

Ever book a flight on short notice? Tell the client that you normally charge a premium on short notice, and that you'll waive it in this circumstance.. There's their discount.

Ha! There's a thought...

Sounds like shes trying to pull a fast one on ya.

wdwpsu wrote in post #11052397
Ever book a flight on short notice? Tell the client that you normally charge a premium on short notice, and that you'll waive it in this circumstance.. There's their discount.

two thumbs up

My last wedding was booked about a month out, and the clients were soooooooooo happy I was available and didn't bat an eye at my price.

Pretty slimey to ask for a discount AFTER the "package" has been created/negotiated/quo​ted.

My pricing is very simple and is basically an hourly charge. My "discount" is you book me for less hours.

Well, we're approaching the 48 hour mark from last contact, and still no follow up from the happy couple. I can only assume they've taken their business to CraigsList.

Of course, they may call the day before the wedding to see if we're ready to crack...

timnosenzo wrote in post #11051341
I guess I don't understand the issue with a last minute booking - I'd think you'd be happy to fill a day that's open?

IMO, some people just like to ask for a deal. Personally it doesn't offend me, I either say no or I work with them if I think I need to.

And I agree with Tim on this point - often airlines, hotels are happy to "sell" unused rooms and seats near the last minute. I would NOT hit them with an UP charge.... I would be pleased to have picked up a booking that I previously had not sold.

It doesn't offend me either if people inquire about a possible deal or discount. It's all about communication and having a conversation. I don't discount, and I will pleasantly explain that and the rationale for it. That being said, I will reduce a price for LESS product or service level. And I may include an 8x10 print as others have suggested. - Stu

SnapShot Photos wrote in post #11051370
from the sounds of it the bride and groom are rather unorganized, don't have any plans for the shoot and don't really know what's happening..and this is all going to fall on the photographer to figure everything out in 2 weeks

Yeah - agree with that... could very likely be the case.

This why signed contracts with retainers paid are critical, along with all other relevant information (date, time, addresses, names of people, locations, etc.) in WRITING, and all signed by both parties. This is the photographers LEGAL and PRACTICAL protection.

wdwpsu wrote in post #11052397
Ever book a flight on short notice? Tell the client that you normally charge a premium on short notice, and that you'll waive it in this circumstance.. There's their discount.

Not really true, but cleverly stated . I guess this would be referred to as marketting ?

on a site note

One thing that jumps out to me on the site is the "meet lisa". If im looking to scout out my photog i wanna see their looks style etc not a pic of someone with a lens shoved in their face.

KenVP wrote in post #11059794
on a site note

One thing that jumps out to me on the site is the "meet lisa". If im looking to scout out my photog i wanna see their looks style etc not a pic of someone with a lens shoved in their face.

One another note this is the view of her that their going to see all day.

I agree with everyone... your wife did the right thing by saying no to a discount.
I also think, that if your wife is really 'THE photographer' for them, they won't bat an eye at the price and book right away. Let them get a cheap, available photographer off of craigslist (from what I hear about craigslist it's mostly inexperienced people that THINK they're all of a sudden professional photographers just because they just got a shiny new DSLR... and not knowing anything about it except 'set it to the green square and shoot away'.)
*Just to clarify... I said mostly; Not all. There are some very talented known photographers I've seen that post on want-ad sites too!*

I think this couple thinks that if they dangle a gig infront of a photographer... have just about everything said and done (before handing over their retainer and signing the contract) the photographer will jump at whatever mean necessary to keep their business. I'm glad your wife didn't buckle!

you mentioned that this is a non christian couple, and you mentioned "cultural nuance", so it could just be that the in the culture they are from, that is how they do business. The price isn't the price and they found someone willing to haggle and compromise, which is what they are most comfortable with. yas just ain't a match, so to speak. it says nothing bad about you, or them.

ChuckingFluff wrote in post #11059830
One another note this is the view of her that their going to see all day.

LOL GOOD POINT

Technically I would say a Friday booking is actually overtime for wedding photographers. We budget for so many weddings a year, booked on the weekends. Happy to take the occasional Friday job, but usually I view the weekdays as either office time editing, which means I'll need to make the hours up later or a day off.