Hope it works out.

I agreed to allow a young couple to make payments on the retainer. They came to me with an honest account of some bad luck they have had lately, and said they were worried that I might be booked by time they had all of the money. The wedding isn't for quite a while... I gave them a defined amount of time to complete the payments or I would have to make their date available should someone ask for it.

Have you ever done this for anyone? Did it end well?

yes i have done it, and yes it ended well. i believe that sometimes people just have bad luck...lord knows i have had it this year (not moneywise...but still). if you believe they are being honest about it, then you have to take that leap and trust that they will do what they said.....IF you want their business

I have done this many times if I think I would be OK trusting the couples. One of them sent an email yesterday for over $5000 in albums from 2003.

Mike

Not only does it show compassion on your part, but it will reflect very good with them in the end.

While I would never give that advice to a photographer, I'm always a proponent of the intent of a 'law' being more important than the letter of the 'law'. In this case, I think the fact that you trusted your judgement will really be good for you in the long run.

I think that it was in good faith on your behalf. The groom of one of my couples for next year is unemployed and I offered to let them to a "payment plan" if it makes life easier. They really appreciated it.

this is the 100% right way to make changes to your normal business practices. thoughtfully. with set deadlines. and in writing. i say, bravo!

good for you Lucky; hope all works well...

Thanks for the input...

I think that special circumstances can warrant a bit of an exception. I think it shows your compassion and understanding. In the end I bet the bond and referral potential you have with them will be multiplied exponentially. Win win in my book

I did it once. It was spelled out on the contract, and she was always on time with their payments. Early, even. So it worked very well, and it's clients who love my work. Totally worth it, for the right customer.