Clients who don't have the money for your services, are you giving them discount?

8 years 2 weeks ago #477479 by Miss Polly
I almost feel robbed of my time.  A client I just met with, had my price sheet and requested to meet with me in person to discuss their wedding.  When I got there and after a 57 minute meeting they said they can't afford my rates and asked for a discount.  

"If we pay full price to you, we can't afford any albums or canvas prints.  Would you considering lowering your price?"

:huh:

I kind of feel 'off' about this.  Least they could have done is ask this over the phone!  

When people are asking you for discount, are you giving in?  


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477485 by Kenta
If you were too pricey before the meeting, I agree it would have been appreciated with at least a heads up prior.  Give you the chance to decide. 


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477502 by effron
Did you get a discount on your gear, photoshop, any accessories? I'm not talking about a "sale" price, I mean a discount because YOU couldn't pay the price?.....
NO discount....

Why so serious?
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8 years 2 weeks ago #477505 by Tim Dordeck
Absolutely not!  At least not in that sense.  If they played it off normal and later just indicated that something came up financially that prevented them from affording my services.  Then maybe.   I'm annoyed for you on their approach.  


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477533 by Vahrenkamp
Depends on the client.  Your's I wouldn't because I don't agree with their approach.  I don't make it a normal practice, however have given discounts in the past.  


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477579 by Farestad
I'm too busy these days and haven't given discounts in years.  If anything, I've increased my prices regularly.  

EF 50mm f/1.4
EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
EF 100mm f/2
EF 70-200mm f/4
EF 18-55mm
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

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8 years 2 weeks ago #477613 by Joves
I would just say no, and thank them for wasting my time.


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477617 by icepics
Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought you were fairly new to photography, maybe not quite beginner level but not a photographer long, so I was surprised you were doing a wedding. So I'm curious where this person found you and what your pricing is like.

It would need to be competitive with pro photographers in your area, or if it's lower that may give the wrong impression (because they're looking for cheap). Not sure if that's the case, but I think it's necessary to have competitive quality work compared to other pros in your area, and price competitively, so prospective clients know your pricing is set within the range of pricing in your area. Make it clear on your website the pricing is set.

Sharon
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8 years 2 weeks ago #477635 by Glenn Gee
Absolutely not. People that ask for a discount (especially in the crappy way they did with you) won't be worth working for. Always penny pinching you and wasting your time.


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8 years 2 weeks ago #477643 by ilh2009ky
Definitely no discount.  I had a client who stung me twice about a discount.  I did a Christmas with kids shoot for about 150 people.  After the two hour shoot, my client begged me for a discount.  Since it was for the kids and Santa Claus, I said ok.  A month later, I was hired to shoot their anniversary gathering.  After the shoot, they asked if I would accept a payment which included a discount from the fee that we had verbally agreed to.  Stung again.  This was the last time I've done a shoot without a written contract.  The third time they wanted my services, a couple of months later, I gave them a written contract to sign which included a 50% deposit before I shoot anything.  They never got back to me and I haven't heard from them since.  My rates are fair and probably a bit low considering the time I spend processing the RAW images.  No discounts.

Ian Leslie Harry
www.ilhphotography.com

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8 years 2 weeks ago #477661 by Stanly
Any of you offer installment plans?

Nikon Z6 | Nikon FM10 | Nikon D80 | Nikon 50mm f/1.8D | Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR | 35-105mm f/3.5 Macro | 80-200mm f/4.5 | SB600 | Pocket Wizard II
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8 years 2 weeks ago #477735 by Fess Walker
Some people just don't value or respect others time.  They assume that if you spent that much time with them, you'll be more likely to give in to their discount.  In the scenario as mentioned, I wouldn't give any sort of discount.  


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