lunch meeting etiquette - who buys?

[AndrewSA]

Just wondering if there is an etiquette on who pays for lunch when you are meeting with a new client?

[Rahb]

Can't speak for the professional photographer side, but in the "business" world that I was exposed to, the "client" or "customer" is TREATED to lunch during lunch meetings. These are thus written of as a business expense.

Example: I needed to discuss the redesign of a massive amount of my companies forms. I called up the current vendor to give him first shot at pricing and design. I was treated to lunch about 4 times during the whole pre-bid process. It lasted about 3 months. In turn, he kept allot of our business and was able to make more money in certain areas.

Now, had he not have had the "business" etiquette or frame of mind to call a lunch meeting to discuss the changes so early on, and make an effort throughout the process one or two things could have happened. A) he keeps our business, but only if the price doesn't change, B) he has to competitively bid against other.

Now I'm not saying he HAD to take me to lunch, but since he did I was able to communicate our needs. He was able to give me ideas of what it would take, what he could do, and any concerns he might have (like needing to bump up the cost on a few forms that had been at the same price for about 4 years). If he wouldn't have jumped at the chance it would have been a 3 month bid process and a garauntee he would loos at leas half of his business with use to low bidders on non essential forms.

just what know....I would have thrown any business his way if he wanted me treating him to lunch. I'm already paying his company for work.

[picasso]

I think any business situation in which you are the one looking to recieve income from someone else it is appropriate for you to buy lunch. The only situation I would see this being different is if the client asked you to meet them for lunch and they were the one initiating the meeting, then you should at least still offer to pay.

I do some consulting work for a company in Dallas. If we go to lunch together I buy the lunch. There have been a couple of occasions where they asked me to lunch and then they ended up paying because they invited me to talk about some things they wanted done but, I always offer. I think it is just good business.

One of the good things is you get to write if off. Not to mention the customer gets to know you a little better and think of the meeting with fond memories after their belly is full.

Paul

[STP Images]

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[Casper]

Something to remember, don't push a government employee to accept a free lunch. It may violate some ethics rule.

Steve

[AndrewSA]

Yeah, I was kinda thinking that whoever asked or initialed the meeting buys.

I've been in both situatiions. I was approched by a company that wanted me to do product photography for them, so they took me out to lunch and payed for it. They were wanting my services, so I guess they felt they were catering to me.

If I was meeting with an individual, for say a portrait..I think I would feel obligated to buy. Maybe it has something to do with the size of the "business" or client. Hmmmm, not sure.

[HotHolly]

We pay for our clients, whether its the initial meeting or not. I had one client that thought all his food was free - at a country club! Everyone else said thank you.

[boxofrocks]

Andrew,

Saw this on your website, and loved it. Reminds me of a band I once heard of called "Roadside Couch". Always thought that was a cool band name. You should look them up and sell them that shot!

[photomarathon]

I agree with the general proposition that the person who is trying to sell either the company (in the case of trying to convince you to do work for them) or a product or service should pay. I think that as a general rule, it will follow that the person who calls the meeting will normally pay, as they are the ones most interested in having the meeting.

[AndrewSA]

thanks,
yeah, I'm always surprised at how wide an audience that image gets. I think people have sympathy for it since we've all seen that poor old couch on the side of the road somewhere...awwwwwww

Originally Posted by boxofrocks

Andrew,

Saw this on your website, and loved it. Reminds me of a band I once heard of called "Roadside Couch". Always thought that was a cool band name. You should look them up and sell them that shot!

[SaundraU]

Originally Posted by Casper

Something to remember, don't push a government employee to accept a free lunch. It may violate some ethics rule.

Steve

This 100% true. We get ethics training every year to remind us of this.

[dmh]

If you ask for the meeting, and they will be your customer.

You pay!