my first thoughts are that they are in the same income range of the other clients who referred them but you have raised your prices since then, so now all referrals from those earlier weddings are now no longer a good fit for your business, what is the difference in price from then to now? is it really that much more? or are they just cheap?
Yea...I keep getting the feeling they really wanted you. You were great to stay professional and keep the door open. I wouldn't be surprised if they come back and book you.
lukeb wrote:
Those who pay the least, complain the most.......
I agree.
Alas, these days thanks to the low barrier of entry into photography, there are tons of "pros" offering photography services. Most folks aren't that discerning and will go with the lowest denominator.
How about referring to someone that is at the level you were four years ago. Not everyone wants to spend the money on a quality product, they are not your customer. They probably got desperate/nervous not knowing anything about photography. Helping them find a better fit would go a long way.
Sounds like a bad situation, but from what you said, more or less a one off. Move on.
On the topic of pricing, I just watched the Christa Meola workshop on CreativeLive and something she talked about in the pricing section stuck with me. On responding to initial inquiries she advises the pack price is XYZ, but most clients spend ABC on average. By covering both bases there are few surprises down the line and less chance of sticker shock. Mind you, her shooting fee is $3k and then you buy albums/prints/canvas etc on top of that, hence the "this is the session fee, but most client spend "ABC" total investment on average". I thought it was a good approach. She also send a complete price list to them via email later in discussion, but knows that many of them don't even look at it until it comes time for the ordering session which she does face to face. The client knows they can afford the average spend the she has mentioned and don't think about it any more. Anyone that can't afford that (and because of the high overall price she targets), people don't try to haggle or negotiate. If they do, she knows they aren't her ideal client and moves on.
As others have said, those who pay least complain most. If you discount your pricing or start low, people are more likely to find fault in your work. If they have a high level of financial investment in your work they will find value and justify it in their mind.
Some cultures like to Haggle, its just the way they do things, and they do not understand the concept of a fixed price.
If this is the situation, they will keep after you. If you ask a nickle for something, they will want it for two cents, and as soon as you lower your price to two cents, they will offer 1 cent. Its perfectly logical because its how they were taught to negotiate.
I think sometimes we assume too much from the clients. I can see how their friends had used you (the OP) as their photographers, and so there was probably some social expectation that they'd hire you as well. In their minds, they came to the meeting to sign the contract as it was four years ago, not really considering that the price could go up significantly.
In your situation, trying to leave, you gotta call it as it is. If they're still trying to chisel you down, and you're unwilling to do that, then tell them what's going on. "Look, I appreciate that you're trying to negotiate with me but unfortunately I can't do that. Why don't you guys think about it, and if you decide you'd like to hire me at the prices I've been discussing, please do get back in contact with me. But my prices are not negotiable."
And then you bail. There's no real comeback to that, aside from agreeing to pay you your price.
I have seen people who always try to get a discount and they argue price for that reason, wherever they are. It is a game they like to play. They often get away with it and they don't care how they appear doing it. If you are on the receiving end, it feels like a badgering bully attack. They test you to see if you budge or if they can get it cheaper or for the price that was in their mind going into the "negotiation". When they come back later, you won't want them because your feelings are hurt. Price sheets, offers, discounts and counter offers are a part of life. Feelings can be set aside. It was just a game they played. If they pay, you won.
