Clients looking for a "Cheap" photographers

LOL I just got one of those calls. Someone looking for a "cheap" photographer to cover a corporate BBQ in July. Half the time I have no idea what to say to people like this. Seriously that is one word that just bugs me. I want to ask them "what is the last thing you bought that was great, that you bought because it was cheap"?

Ok... back to work I go. But would like to hear how you answer people when they are looking for "cheap" photographer for hire?

If they are corporate shouldn't they be able to afford at least a "reasonably priced" photographer? Tell them to find an amateur if they want cheap, or do it themselves. I think since everyone has digital these days they think "oh well it's free for you". Nevermind that you don't want to spend your Saturday in the heat shooting a bunch of office goons eating BBQ ribs.

Some people...

Oh my Gosh !!
I would send them to Craigslist.

Darrell wrote: Oh my Gosh !!
I would send them to Craigslist.

That's what I told them!

I'm such a pushover I'd probably hear them out and see what they wanted to pay.

NikaTraveler wrote: I'm such a pushover I'd probably hear them out and see what they wanted to pay.

Well you could do that and then meet them in the middle

Well I would ask them can I get your goods or services below your price? I am sure their answer would be no, and then ask why do you think my prices should be cheap for you. And as you said what thing have they bought cheap that was any good? This is why Im not in the photo business because quite frankly I would be blunt to people when they try to go bargain basement on my work. If you were to do that then you might as well wear a Blue Light on your head and stand outside of K-Fart.

OH man I'm the same way. I get annoyed at the same time find it funny how people think.

ShutterGuy wrote: I want to ask them "what is the last thing you bought that was great, that you bought because it was cheap"?

We all think this, but never be foolish enough to let it through your lips. If you have a good sales pitch that explains why you are worth your rates go for it, but don't bother explaining why the other guy charging less sucks. Just state your prices politely and professionally, and be done with it. You aren't going to get any business by telling someone that they are a cheapskate.

We all go shopping for bargains. Sometimes we don't know (or think we know) the going rates, and need to shop around a bit to catch on. Sometimes we even learn the hard way by going with the first cheap price we find. That's how we learn, not from a sales person lecturing us on our spending habits.

The best you can count on is:

1) Waste as little time as possible, because these folks really aren't your clientele.

2) Leave a good impression in case they wise up, and realize they may have to pay for decent photography.

Most of the time I never hear from these folks again. Occasionally they do call back and hire me after they've gone through some cheaper photographers.

Henry Peach wrote:

ShutterGuy wrote: I want to ask them "what is the last thing you bought that was great, that you bought because it was cheap"?

We all think this, but never be foolish enough to let it through your lips. If you have a good sales pitch that explains why you are worth your rates go for it, but don't bother explaining why the other guy charging less sucks. Just state your prices politely and professionally, and be done with it. You aren't going to get any business by telling someone that they are a cheapskate.

We all go shopping for bargains. Sometimes we don't know (or think we know) the going rates, and need to shop around a bit to catch on. Sometimes we even learn the hard way by going with the first cheap price we find. That's how we learn, not from a sales person lecturing us on our spending habits.

The best you can count on is:

1) Waste as little time as possible, because these folks really aren't your clientele.

2) Leave a good impression in case they wise up, and realize they may have to pay for decent photography.

Most of the time I never hear from these folks again. Occasionally they do call back and hire me after they've gone through some cheaper photographers.

Good advise

Im on the fence with this one and depending what "cheap" was would have determined my answer. I dont shoot for a living, so I may have actually taken the job to make a little side money and to get the exposure.