I think I made an uh oh..

[blazinphotography]

I did a Senior Portrait session for this ladies son a couple of months ago, she is the Marketing director for a doctors office that I have been doing portrait work with. She finally placed an order online (Knowing what the cost of each print was) I delivered her the prints and gave her the invoice, I have not heard from her, so I contacted her asking when I should be expecting the payment from her and this is what she wrote.


Hey Mike,
I'm trying to figure it out... My husband lost his job 2 weeks ago - no severance - just done. I unfortunately don't know how I'm going to pay for the pics just yet... I'm so sorry I haven't been in contact. I thought I'd spent around $200 and was pretty shocked at the final price. (I thought the prices would be like the ones we had for our family pics - these are almost triple the price - I know, bad planning on my part.) I just didn't see this job situation coming. It has been a huge shock and we live paycheck to paycheck and trying to not loose our home at this point. I'll be in touch!


Any suggestions on what I can do? Thanks

[janetg]

chalk it up to live and learn? or ask for the prints to be returned until she can afford to pay for them.

[Jake]

Wow! You delivered prints before you received payment and you *think* you made an "uh oh?"
Yeah, this is a live and learn situation IMHO. You could ask her to put it on a CC and pay that later.

[blazinphotography]

Yea I know, She works next door to me I have done numerous portrait work with the office through her. This is why I made the exception. Guess it finally caught up to me

[texxter]

Lesson learned. The lady seems to feel bad about this and wants to do the right thing. Perhaps you can offer some sort of payment plan.

[w9ctm]

Do as theJakestir has suggested and let her put it on their cc. You could even give them a loyal customer discount to entice the cc payment. If you can pull this off, you keep a happy customer, and you don't lose any more money.... that is of course assumiong you haven't already spent the anticipated profits on more toys... (which is what I do sometimes...)

But defintely a lesson learned!

[CaptainTom]

If photography is your full time gig and only source of income you tell her that if she doesn't pay you it's equivalent of you losing your job and not being able to pay the rent.

If you are not full time, chalk it up to experience and cash your regular paycheck and keep on going.

[RightAngle]

I think a payment plan would be a good option. Helping out in a situation like this would probably get you a lot of brownie points and a good name with her and her family. Obviously that's not the best option but a little money is better than none. It seems to me she is not trying to screw you over but is just in a bad position, if you offered to help her I think she would be receptive and hopefully that would result in a "everyone wins" situation.

I don't think playing hard ball on this type of thing will get you anywhere though. I think being understanding and patient will get you the best response.

[Cajungaltx]

I agree with Andy.

I think in this case - understanding/empathy - is almost required. She has the photos, and other than you marching over and taking them back - your in a ROUGH situation. You can't take back the photos and sell them to someone else....

You screwed up though - you failed to educate your client on the pricing structure... and you failed to take care of your 'business' by requiring money up front. I don't care if the person has the same last name as me.... they are paying for their prints before they take them home.

Walmart isn't going to let me take out that 52" Flat panel until they get the $$ for it.... or wait... that's $$$ ... ;-)

[blazinphotography]

Yea, I know I did screw up. I hated posting this here, the only reason I did is so hopefully no one else will do the same thing no matter how much business you do with an individual. Thank you all for the input, I greatly appreciate it.

[pbyd]

Mike, many years back my wife was looking at my finished print file and noticed that I had many packages that were not only not picked up but had not been pre-paid. To make a long chewing out short, we had well into the thousands in non-paid orders, as of that date, we no longer print non-paid orders. I still have 20 to 30 printed orders in my finished image file, but they are pre-paid. I have never had a client in all the years after that day, that complained about paying for their order. As Donna said about Walmart, I agree that I know of no business that will give you a product without paying first. We all have to learn and this can be a very good experience to learn from. I would explain to the client that I am sorry for the job loss, and would love to except payments when they can make them and then except that some learning cost more than others.
Best of luck,
Wayne

[GypsyHighSide]

Mike, why not go and talk with her. Tell her you understand her situation, but that you need to at least cover your costs. See if you can get her to put in on a credit card or make payments. The credit card would be best. The situation will be resolved and you can move on.

What you are offering her is a way out. I know you are giving up your profit on this sale, but what is the alternative? If you just let this linger and she just doesn’t pay you, guess what she won’t call you when future portrait opportunities at the office come up.

But since you are her “friend” and have helped her out of a jam, she will appreciate it. Once you have settled the account, tell her to remember you if they need more portraits at work or if she knows someone who is in need of a good photographer.

After this, institute a new policy: payment to accompany all orders.

Let us know what happens.

Rob

[carrbowl]

Originally Posted by blazinphotography

Yea, I know I did screw up. I hated posting this here, the only reason I did is so hopefully no one else will do the same thing no matter how much business you do with an individual. Thank you all for the input, I greatly appreciate it.

Mike, I know it's hard to show people your mistakes. I'm glad to see you posting yours and taking the hits!!! It's hard...you try to be a nice guy, and you get slammed!! All of have been there to some degree probably at least one time...some of us have learned the hard way more than once..but I'm not naming any names!! I know you will learn from this mistake and make your business choices will be better in the future.

[blazinphotography]

Thanks renae.