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Wedding booking conflict


8 years 11 months ago #436903 by Joslyn
I was booked for a wedding in November 3 days ago by a couple who nickle and dime'd me on my least priced wedding package.  I just got a call literally 20 minutes ago from another new client for the same day in November!  They want my priciest package, plus she is indicating canvas prints and 8 photo albums.  So there is much more profit to be made with this wedding.  I'm really on the moral fence here and could use some advice.  What would you do here?  

Let me add that the first couple has NOT sent me the deposit yet, and the last one has said "pricing looks good, send me over the contract and I'll send you deposit right way."
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8 years 11 months ago #436906 by effron
Dump the first cheap skates and get with the program. The sooner the better....
Why so serious?
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8 years 11 months ago #436911 by Joslyn
I was leaning towards that, thank you for confirmation.
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8 years 11 months ago - 8 years 11 months ago #436967 by garyrhook
The date is not booked until the retainer is received. Simple rule. They can keep talking about it until the day before the wedding, and there where will you be? Take the first paying client that meets your expectations.

When the first pair comes back to you, say, oh, sorry, that date is no longer available. And nothing further. You do not owe them an explanation, or a 2nd chance, or a warning, or heaven forfend, an apology. This is business.
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8 years 11 months ago #436983 by Lisa Brookhurst
OMG I would take the higher paying job, if the deposit hasn't been received... it's not a done deal in my book!
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8 years 11 months ago #436993 by icepics
It seems like it would depend on how you left it with the first couple - is their expectation that they've booked you and they just need to send the deposit? I wonder if they think that you already committed to it.

Sounds like you may need to rethink your pricing. What if the deposit was already paid and then you got another prospective client wanting the same date and a higher priced package? If that keeps happening seems like you might end up shooting a lot of lower priced weddings.

You might need to think too about how you're handling situations when people are shopping around, wanting you to drop your prices, etc. so you're clear on your pricing and packages and that they'll need to choose from those options. If they don't want to pay your prices then it might be better to not book them and for them to find another photographer in their price range.

If you're going into photography as a business and haven't already, you might need to develop a business plan and look at pro resources thru ASMP or PPA or the Small Business Administration.
Sharon
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8 years 11 months ago #437063 by Joslyn
Done and done! Surprisingly the cheap couple didn't complain.  They almost seemed like they forgot they had booked with me.  Such a good call, thank you all for the advise. 
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8 years 11 months ago #437121 by Rudy Sosa

effron wrote: Dump the first cheap skates and get with the program. The sooner the better....




+1


100% Agree!!
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8 years 11 months ago #437135 by KenMan
Good decision, I would have done the same.
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8 years 11 months ago #437212 by Alan Nunez

Joslyn wrote: Done and done! Surprisingly the cheap couple didn't complain.  They almost seemed like they forgot they had booked with me.  Such a good call, thank you all for the advise. 


Well done. Just make sure that the higher paying client pays their deposit to ensure you have at least one of them securely booked in!!
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8 years 11 months ago #437225 by ThatNikonGuy
Well said, agree! 
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8 years 11 months ago #437231 by Remy Hedrick
I would have taken the 2nd deal without any thought
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8 years 11 months ago #437237 by Joslyn
They stopped by yesterday and gave contract and deposit.   So all set! 
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8 years 11 months ago #437376 by Pettigrew
Great!  Job well done
Canon EOS 7D SLR | XT W/18-55 Kit Lens | Canon 50mm 1.8 | Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 | Canon 28-105mm | Canon 75-300mm | Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro | Canon 100-400
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8 years 11 months ago #437396 by J Photo Man
I would have done the absolute same thing.  The haggling folks would have been a nightmare in the long run.  If they are cutting corners already, you can expect that behavior to follow till the end.  
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