Are you doing non-refundable deposits during holidays?

4 years 9 months ago #651492 by Deb Reardon
WOW, just realized that the holidays are creeping up already in a couple months.  This had me thinking about a few things.  One being last couple years I always have 1 or 2 people cancel last minute for some reason.  Heading out of town, family coming in town, kids sick (but then I saw them all at event and no one looked sick), and the excuses keep going.  

So what is your policy with deposits or retainers (what ever you call it) around the holidays? 


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4 years 9 months ago #651493 by garyrhook
Turns out that what you call it, and what you're selling matter.

Deposits are almost always refundable.

If, however you sell time on your calendar, that is allocated to the client and can't be changed, then that's something that becomes non-refundable. If they choose not to use the time they've purchased, that's on them. Once the time is booked, it becomes unavailable to anyone else. Doesn't it make sense that there is no refund?

On to your question about policy: you have to decide your policy based on the likelihood of being able to sell that time to someone else. If you think it could be picked up by someone else, then your time has become more valuable, and more flexible, all at the same time. Having a timeframe for cancellation is not unreasonable, but getting someone to commit and making it painful to back out will encourage them to follow through. Rescheduling is an alternative.

All of this needs to be on paper and agreed to by signature at the time of the booking.


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4 years 9 months ago #651496 by Deb Reardon
OK, that makes sense.  Thank you.

Now during the holidays do you charge more?


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4 years 9 months ago #651525 by Deb Reardon
One other question, regardless of what you call this, how much do you require upfront?

Fixed or percentage of total?


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4 years 9 months ago #651561 by garyrhook

Deb Reardon wrote: OK, that makes sense.  Thank you.

Now during the holidays do you charge more?


I think that pricing is based on demand and availability, among other things.

I don't try to do "holiday" types of shoots.


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4 years 9 months ago #651562 by garyrhook

Deb Reardon wrote: One other question, regardless of what you call this, how much do you require upfront?

Fixed or percentage of total?


I sell products. I don't charge for scheduling a shoot, nor do I allow my calendar to be so full as to have to do so. I have a day job, and stay plenty busy. I'm probably not the right person to answer your question.


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4 years 9 months ago #651960 by Deb Reardon
You don't do the holiday photos for families?  You aren't missing much.  Or you most likely did at one point and got out of it because it can be a pain. 

On other topics, thank you very helpful.  


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