The funny part is that the bride was concerned that she get things settled fast so she wouldn't lose the date. She had to check with folks at home, presumably those paying the tab, and would get back to me. I had the confirmation email by the time I was home from the meeting. My guess is that the person actually paying the bill is the dragging their feet. Oh well....
Just tell the truth, don't sugar coat or make excuses, that is when you start to sound like you are working a sales pitch.
Tell the first bride you are meeting with another couple about her date, nothing firm just a meeting. Tell the second couple you have already met with a couple about their date but they have not booked yet, leave it at that. First one in gets the date.
It is what it is.
This is how I do it. During the initial consultation with a couple I tell them that there name is in Pencil in my calendar... a deposit and contract changes it to pen. I tell them that the initial consultation is their notice that no date is held until I have a contract and deposit. I will let them know if someone inquiries about their date, but it isn't held. If a second party inquiries, I tell both that I've had multiple inquiries and remind them that no date is held until I have a contract and deposit. In just a year, it has happened 2 times already and both times it has encouraged the first couple to book. I then inform the second couple that the date has been booked and refer them to friends.
I would meet with the new potential B&G... let them know you have someone else also interested in the date before you go to your meeting with them. Bring a contract (just in case). If they like you, and there's a good vibe, they may sign and pay right there.
my routine is to review the terms by which they can get me - followed by a light-hearted chat to hammer the point home. something along the lines of: "ok, so i have to step away from the contract at this point and tell you that i will not pull the used car salesman thing on you, but if someone else calls about the same date, if you'd like me to, i'll give you a courtesy call. totally don't want to harass you, but i can't hold the date without the retainer, so whoever comes running at me with a sack of money first, wins."
i find that by stepping back and addressing that as a conversation point with humor rather than just the rote act of reading the contract, it helps them to understand and retain better. and then if i do have to call, i can use that humor again to lighten the tone of the call and not send them into an annoyed panic.
good luck!
ps. martin's accent makes me all tingly. just sayin'.
As long as you let the first couple know that until you have the retainer the date is open, go ahead meet with the second couple and just mention to them that there is another inquiry from another couple. If you were clear about your policy in a first place, you should be golden!
Cheers!
alexromo wrote:
book both days and sub-contract it
Now THAT is some prize winning advice. Personally I would be ecstatic if my wedding photographer told me after I paid the non-refundable deposit that I didn't actually book him but somebody else. Yeah baby! Or even better, if he didn't tell me at all and somebody else just turned up on wedding day!
panos.v wrote:
Now THAT is some prize winning advice. Personally I would be ecstatic if my wedding photographer told me after I paid the non-refundable deposit that I didn't actually book him but somebody else. Yeah baby! Or even better, if he didn't tell me at all and somebody else just turned up on wedding day!
That seriously happened to a friend of mine who is now a photographer. And she booked one of the most expensive photographers in town. She was NOT happy.
I think it happens often around here.... I use that as a sales pitch.
I usually say something like, "A good looking young couple will not show up to photograph your wedding. We only have two employees, myself and my wife... you're stuck with us"
TTLKurtis wrote:
Call me crazy, but this is the beauty of credit cards. Sure, you lose a little in the fees and all, but it's BAM instant payment. No 'check is in the mail' BS.
Kurtis - speaking of no-shows and payments being overdue, whatever happened with the couple you were trying to locate not long ago who had booked a wedding & were difficult to reach (they'd had their invites printed in your building).
Just curious - I like to hear the conclusion of mysteries!
MarcyJillGood wrote:
Kurtis - speaking of no-shows and payments being overdue, whatever happened with the couple you were trying to locate not long ago who had booked a wedding & were difficult to reach (they'd had their invites printed in your building).
Just curious - I like to hear the conclusion of mysteries!
Marcy
Well... I finally heard back 2-3 weeks ago. She acted as though she hadn't even been ignoring my calls, which is still weird, but in any case... she called to schedule the engagement session (later that week, oooof, short notice but we made it work). They absolutely LOVED the results from the e-session, and now she's super easy to get in touch with, go figure. I just received the balance due in cash tonight (a couple days late, but no biggy). They even upgraded their e-session print to a nice stretched canvas, and the guy loved it when he saw it tonight when he brought the money. By the way, the couple in question is the one at the top of the blog right now. And the 16x24 canvas is that top image.
jofoto photo wrote:
Your cheaper than what we budgeted for My personal favourite, our budget was 8k for photography and so were looking for a more expensive photographer (football wag)
TTLKurtis wrote:
Well... I finally heard back 2-3 weeks ago. She acted as though she hadn't even been ignoring my calls, which is still weird, but in any case... she called to schedule the engagement session (later that week, oooof, short notice but we made it work). They absolutely LOVED the results from the e-session, and now she's super easy to get in touch with, go figure. I just received the balance due in cash tonight (a couple days late, but no biggy). They even upgraded their e-session print to a nice stretched canvas, and the guy loved it when he saw it tonight when he brought the money. By the way, the couple in question is the one at the top of the blog right now. And the 16x24 canvas is that top image....Show more →
Thanks for the update - I am glad this had such a happy ending!
