Re-Negotiate

[PaulCosmic]

Hi Guys

I have a wedding client who has contacted me wanting to change to a lower package. Even if I wanted to agree to the change, which I'm undecided on, (thoughts welcome), the problem is she booked the wedding months ago and my starting price is now all but the same as what she agreed on for a better package.

Have you been in this situation before and how did you handle it?

[ChrisPerry]

I've had it happen a couple of times, including last week. They wanted smaller (page count) companion albums, go from two photogs for 7 hours to one for 8 hours, and something else. Problem is, I can't get them any lower - not sure what I gave them last time - perhaps a BOGO on the parent albums (must remember to make better notes!) but I think I did the photog thing and cut the price $250 or something - my cost on a second photog, so I lose nothing and they gain something.

Had a bride change up on me a couple years back, cutting her package by about half when I called for the balance (about 3 weeks before the wedding). Had changed the church, reception hall and times...some of the family that was to help with the costs didn't...she just plain didn't have the money.

Sometimes half a loaf is better than no loaf!

[Gary_Evans]

I had this happen many years ago and ever since then all my packages are designed so that my bottom line is exactly the same. Not everyone agrees that this is a good idea business wise, but it works for me.

Dont forget that many people are struggling at the moment financially and has Chris says, its better to get less than none at all. If she cancels the wedding, or you as the photographer, is it worth sticking to your guns out of principle?

[DragonflyDM]

I normally hold my pricing to be locked in at the time of the contract signing. If there are changes, I let my clients know and give them their original pricing list to work from.

If you were willing to accept the previous price when they booked, then why not now? Unless you changed how you create products-- you are just passing your inflation on to existing customers.

I would swallow the little greed monster (we all have one) and concentrate on building a more valuable customer base that will work for you through word of mouth. They will probably never tell anyone they "cheaped out" at the last minute, but they will tell people that you were a great guy to work with. That is worth more than a few ducets of increased profit.

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