Wedding deposit suggestions

Ed_Rogers · #8 10-25-2004, 10:26 PM

Greg,

You are handling it very well and I totally agree with your approach to the situation. We also book between 12-24 months in advance and once the contract is signed and the deposit (now "Booking Fee") left, we turn down all other inquiries which can number anywhere between 10 - 20 depending on the month. I agree that you should not transfer monies to another service as well. Make sure your contract includes " all payents, services and contract are non transferable" or something to the like.

We do have an unwritten policy that: If a couple does cancel and we can rebook the date at the same or greater package, we will refund monies paid to us minus the booking fee. The refund, of course, would take place after the final balance of the rebooking was paid in full and clear. Or if a date needs to be rescheduled we will do our best to accomodate so long as the reschedule is in the "off season". I think that is more than reasonable.

FYI; We just changed our contract of 13 years to now read "Booking Fee" after reading this post. It makes great sense. It is a joke how much we have to modify our contract to cover tiny petty symantics these days. Everybody is "sue" happy.

Stick to your guns.

Kind Regards

Greg_Francis · #9 10-26-2004, 01:34 PM

Thanks everybody for your ongoing suggestions. I am monitoring them often. I have told the client I will send a response in 2 weeks. She is 5 hours away, but the wedding was going to be here locally where she grew up. She was a referral from a February 2005 wedding (5 hours away). The likelihood of seeing her at that wedding is good. Hope you can understand my ramblings.

Keep 'em coming!

Greg

Mike_Guilbault · #10 10-28-2004, 01:23 AM

Up here in Canada we call the booking fee a Retainer. Not sure if that legally makes a difference, but it's the proper wording here at least. Personally, I wouldn't give the fee back. Like everyone has said, you have most likely turned away business because of the booking. But I would definately offer her services in lieu of for the same value. She may be far away and you may not ever hear from her again.. but then again, someone 5 hours away referred her (as I understand it). What goes around comes around and by being sympathetic to her situation can only help you in the long run. The great thing is that she asked about using the "deposit" for a portrait... you didn't have to fight her over the money and she's perfectly willing to accept a portrait. Shoot it during you slow time, use it to experiment with a new technique, go wild and try something different. Use it as an opportunity to improve your photography, have fun and satisfy a client.

HGregoryPorter · #11 10-28-2004, 01:28 PM

Greg,

You better make a decision fast if you want to avoid a potentially massive situation that could vomit all over you. If you keep her money, do you really think she will come back to you when her next wedding is on?

Think for a minute about how much money you net (profit) from a wedding. You can offer her an option where you make nearly the same amount with much less time invested. And you still have 8+ months — plenty of time to book that date.

You are very fortunate. She isn't asking for the money back, but wants to purchase other images from you. Do you really want to ask her to spend $1800+ on a portrait session in order to let her out of her contract or to let her "use" the $400?

I am betting that you rarely have a bride cancel on you. She is probably had her life turned inside out over this. You can look like a good guy, and still make more money than you would have if the wedding was still on.

You are in a service business. We are only dealing with $400 here. I don't think a judge or jury (non-photographers) in the country would allow you to keep a $400 deposit when you have not done any photographs or provided a service to the bride. If she had paid by MC/VISA/AmEX, they would back-charge your account and she would get everything back.

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE IS MANDATORY TO MAKE UP FOR THE EMAIL. Contact her now!!! … in person if possible. If it were me, I'd send flowers with a note that said something like : What was I thinking? I've got a "proposal" for you that won't fall through. — include your phone number.

Let her know how sorry you are for her situation. Tell her you made a very quick decision, and now that you have re-considered and ...

Let us know how this progresses.

She is going to tell everyone close to her about you. What she will say depends on what you choose to do today.

Greg_Francis · #12 01-24-2005, 10:02 PM

Just thought I'd give an update on how this situation turned out. I extended to the bride a credit of her retainer fee toward a future wedding date and she couldn't have been happier. I really couldn't return her money due to the cost of advertising these days, and turning away other potiential weddings from that advertising, while the date was held for her. And I've got a future wedding without having to meet with another couple all over again. Looks like a win/win for both of us. Thanks everyone for your help!

Greg

Sean_Reid · #13 01-26-2005, 08:39 AM

Greg,

Good move. That's a great compromise between you losing money and her losing money. A $400 investment in good word-of-mouth is cheap advertising in my book. Moreover, you've now potentially been hired for her next wedding (whenever that may be). If she never gets married, or never hires you for the wedding, you're still where you started (with the $400) with the added benefit of the good word-of-mouth.

Cheers,

Sean

RichPontier · #14 01-26-2005, 01:06 PM

I agree with David Smith and Hgregory.
Since there is a good chance you will get a booking on her weddingdate, just keep in mind that she can give a lot of talk about it.
I would suggest like you did, or offer her portraitsitting instead if the marriage was completely off.
You did well in the end, it will surely pay off.

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