Untrusting client? WHAT???

tirediron · Nov 2, 2012

This has "S**t storm written all over it! I would contact the clients and insist on a face-to-face meeting. Explain that you understand they have concerns and you'd like to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the situation. If you don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling, then walk away; explain that you don't feel you may be able to satisfy their requirements, and recommend some photographers. I would consider offering at least a partial refund regardless of what your contract states.

unpopular · Nov 2, 2012

We didn't hire a photographer.

And I am not at all disapointed by that decision.

Kerbouchard · Nov 2, 2012

Sounds to me like she is not the one who is paying for the photographer...Could be that a parent is involved asking a lot of questions and she is the go-between. That would also explain why she didn't have any method of payment with her.

kathyt · Nov 2, 2012

tirediron said:
This has "S**t storm written all over it! I would contact the clients and insist on a face-to-face meeting. Explain that you understand they have concerns and you'd like to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the situation. If you don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling, then walk away; explain that you don't feel you may be able to satisfy their requirements, and recommend some photographers. I would consider offering at least a partial refund regardless of what your contract states.

Being a wedding photographer myself, I would NOT refund that deposit at all for a couple of reasons. A. You are 3 weeks out from the wedding, and she has completely wasted your time. B. She signed the contract. Period. C. It was $100.00 deposit! Plus, now you are losing out on the income from the wedding on such a short notice due to her "BS."
I can bet you a million bucks this wedding either got cancelled or they ran out of money and they don't have the guts to get on the phone and call. Make sure you DO NOT use text as a from of communication! It is very unprofessional. Pick up the phone or send an e-mail. Document everything! If that doesn't work then you need to make sure all correspondence is sent certified mail. Good luck.

I meant to send this reply to the OP, and not to tirediron. Oops.

Mully · Nov 2, 2012

Photography is a business and being a photographer you have to be a good business person or in a short time you will be out of business......it is not about pretty pictures it is securing contracts that give you legal rights also. Ask those in your specific area what they do. I always get a purchase order from the ad agencies I work with so that the usage is clear. I don't do weddings so listen to the advise of those that shoot weddings.

tirediron · Nov 2, 2012

kathythorson said:
tirediron said:

This has "S**t storm written all over it! I would contact the clients and insist on a face-to-face meeting. Explain that you understand they have concerns and you'd like to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the situation. If you don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling, then walk away; explain that you don't feel you may be able to satisfy their requirements, and recommend some photographers. I would consider offering at least a partial refund regardless of what your contract states.

Click to expand...

Being a wedding photographer myself, I would NOT refund that deposit at all for a couple of reasons. A. You are 3 weeks out from the wedding, and she has completely wasted your time. B. She signed the contract. Period. C. It was $100.00 deposit! Plus, now you are losing out on the income from the wedding on such a short notice due to her "BS."
I can bet you a million bucks this wedding either got cancelled or they ran out of money and they don't have the guts to get on the phone and call. Make sure you DO NOT use text as a from of communication! It is very unprofessional. Pick up the phone or send an e-mail. Document everything! If that doesn't work then you need to make sure all correspondence is sent certified mail. Good luck.

I meant to send this reply to the OP, and not to tirediron. Oops.

Understood...

My thinking is based on my area, which is relatively small, and where comments on bad service (real or perceived) spread VERY quickly. Note that I said, "consider a partial refund". Without knowing the circumstances, it's pointless to speculate on why the client(s) are acting this way, but I have found that it doesn't take a lot to keep [most] people happy, and giving back say 25% of the retainer while reinforcing the point that you are under no obligation to do so, may go a long way to preventing the spreading of bad words. Of course these are all assessments the OP would need to make after the face-to-face meeting.

Gallery29 · Nov 3, 2012

Very strange. She contacted me today via phone, sounded as though everything was just dandy, and sent the entire payment via paypal (which I accept), WITH a generous tip. Interesting.

I'm still signing up for PPA, LOL! I can't risk this one. Maybe she's just frazzled and emotional right now. I don't know. I asked her if she wanted to get together this evening or tomorrow to sit down and discuss more about the wedding, since sometimes brides just need a little reassurance and need to "talk" to feel better. She said no, that she didn't need to get together. OK.

I'll keep you all posted...I'm not a praying person, but Lord help me on November 17th! LOL!

pixmedic · Nov 3, 2012

Good luck with the wedding. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

kathyt · Nov 3, 2012

Gallery29 said:
Very strange. She contacted me today via phone, sounded as though everything was just dandy, and sent the entire payment via paypal (which I accept), WITH a generous tip. Interesting.

I'm still signing up for PPA, LOL! I can't risk this one. Maybe she's just frazzled and emotional right now. I don't know. I asked her if she wanted to get together this evening or tomorrow to sit down and discuss more about the wedding, since sometimes brides just need a little reassurance and need to "talk" to feel better. She said no, that she didn't need to get together. OK.

I'll keep you all posted...I'm not a praying person, but Lord help me on November 17th! LOL!

I am glad things are looking up for you. That had to have been a crappy feeling I'm sure. Could have been just stress or PMS, who knows, but I wish you luck.

Tee · Nov 3, 2012

Glad to hear it sounds like everything will be ok. It could be a myriad of things or maybe she couldn't sleep one night and spent a few hours reading horror stories on The Knot.

tirediron · Nov 3, 2012

Good luck!

skieur · Nov 3, 2012

Gallery29 said:
Yes, it says deposit. You learn something new everyday. That's why I like this forum so much. It's a very small deposit/retainer ($100), so it's not that big of a deal, but I'll change my wording to "retainer" for next time. What I'm most upset about it probably losing out on the wedding money!

No, not a member of PPA yet. I decided to wait until I do photography full-time (right now I'm a senior at LSU graduating in 5 weeks!). I plan on signing up with PPA at the beginning of 2012!

I do understand my clients concern, to an extent. But I wouldn't have an elaborate Facebook page that I update regularly and converse freely with my existing clients if I planned on ripping someone off for a small amount (in comparison) of money. Who does that?? I don't need to create a Facebook page that I update daily or weekly to carry on a facade for FIVE months to rip someone off for a thousand bucks. Dang.

You need to read between her lines so-to-speak as in: Does she have financial problems and therefore wants to get out of the contract? Does she hope that you will trust her with the photographs BEFORE being paid? (in which case, you may have trouble getting paid, at all.) The worst thing you could do, is go on the defensive. (Stay professional and realize that she may have a different agenda behind what she is saying.) What does she REALLY want, irrespective of what she is saying?

Good luck.

skieur

unpopular · Nov 3, 2012

Maybe there is some ambiguity in your contract that she misread and made her feel uneasy? Perhaps have someone here go over it with you, someone who is more impartial than people close to you, but more of a laymen than your attorney?

If she wanted an electronic copy of the contract, then perhaps she had questions and needed to e-mail it to a friend or relative.

kokonut · Dec 14, 2012

I am very curious about what happened in the end with that deal.I read the whole thread and I am surprised how strangely some clients react. That is the reason why we should qualify better the clients during the presale periode and when we feel that something is strange to not hesitate to give a nogo!