When to require the sitting fee?

[HotHolly]

Via PayPal you there are certain spending limits and cash withdrawal limits daily. Mine is over $2K. ATM withdrawals have lower limits - more like $400 per day. You can use their debit card and unless you are spending more than a few thousand per day, it shouldnt be an issue. Check to see if you have a business account or personal - the limits used to be different.

As for the phone call. Tell them about you, your sessions, what they can expect - when they sound hooked, ask them to pick a date, work out the times, and then tell them that the sitting fee is $___, what credit card would you like to use to reserve your session? Most people will just pay you. You can also do this via PayPal with a biz account. It was $30 per month last I checked and you can accept major credit cards and process them via their Virtual Terminal.

If you dont act like its a big deal, most people dont think it is. And as others on here are telling you, its normal to get the fee up front. What 1 person says shouldnt change everything. You can re-examine it. But I totally agree, it is not worth setting aside the time for a shoot who ditches you.

And others may disagree with me - but people who ask for exceptions, and ask you to bend your own rules, tend to demand more time and spend less money. imho - they are the worst kinda customer you can get. Weeding them out isnt a bad thing, in my head.

[Shelby Lane]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

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And others may disagree with me - but people who ask for exceptions, and ask you to bend your own rules, tend to demand more time and spend less money. imho - they are the worst kinda customer you can get. Weeding them out isnt a bad thing, in my head.

LOL, I totally agree with you, Holly.

[CallMeAl]

" Who do you use for your credit card service? Is it user friendly and reasonably priced?"

I just signed up with Intuit (Quickbooks). Their per transaction fees might be a little higher, but there's no contract and only $12.95 per month. I just adjusted my prices accordingly to compensate for the transaction fees. I used Paypal before, but the problem I had was that when I sent a request for money (invoice), I then had to wait for them to pay at their convenience. The last two times took over a month and two reminders each. This way, when we talk date and confirm, I can say, "The session fee is XXX, would you like to put that on your credit card or debit card." I've decided that if they don't want to pay my fee, then I don't really want them as a customer. I'm trying to work smarter...not harder. Not that I'm opposed to hard work of course.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by CallMeAl

" Who do you use for your credit card service? Is it user friendly and reasonably priced?"

I just signed up with Intuit (Quickbooks). Their per transaction fees might be a little higher, but there's no contract and only $12.95 per month. I just adjusted my prices accordingly to compensate for the transaction fees. I used Paypal before, but the problem I had was that when I sent a request for money (invoice), I then had to wait for them to pay at their convenience. The last two times took over a month and two reminders each. This way, when we talk date and confirm, I can say, "The session fee is XXX, would you like to put that on your credit card or debit card." I've decided that if they don't want to pay my fee, then I don't really want them as a customer. I'm trying to work smarter...not harder. Not that I'm opposed to hard work of course.

Thats a pretty good rate. PayPal money requests didnt really work for anything Ive tried to use them with. Their virtual terminal is like what you are talking about - you take their card info and enter it into PayPal and run it like a CC. No waiting. No set up fees. No contract.