"Fake Brides" - spotting them, actions to take

[Ed Gerson]

I've had two suspicious "brides" come into my place of business recently. Each took up about a good hour of our time, neither was sincere or open about who they were. One wouldn't even volunteer her last name in person or by email.

I'll describe the first one. Attractive, photogenic-looking, orderly and confident just sitting there; she was from out of town, and getting married out of town. I could hear the shutter going off each time she turned a page in my albums.

Had no idea who she was before, during, or after the consultation. My wife and I were trying not to give each other that "should we ask for HER badge number maybe?" look. As I escorted her to the door I simply asked "Where do you work?" She replied: "At the Wal-Mart photo department." Maybe that should have been my first question huh?

I'm thinking of charging consultation fees and tighter pre-qualification, but it gets to the point where you have to decide how many crocodiles you want to put in the moat around your business (and those things smell to high heaven anyway!). My wife as usual says it's a cost of doing business and you don't want to put up barriers.

Any suggestions? Responses? Recommendations for therapy or breath mints for crocodiles? One must be tidy.

[DougAxford]

I have to agree with your wife, sorry.

I've had my share of competition shopping me and I've done a bit many decades ago.

My suggestion is that no one gets an interview unless they cough up a date, location, name and phone number. Interviews are by appt. only for me. It's easy to establish the policy but hard to enforce.

Best bet is that if you suspect a shopper, say that you are too busy with customer's orders to spend enough time with them now but ask them to make an appt. for later when you'll be available. If they just want to look at books and samples, let them. NO ONE ever gets a price list from me until mid way through an interview although I always freely provide price starting point.

So, if they ask price, I answer that packages start at $1,295 and give a very abbreviated list of what they get for that. Any further pricing questions are with full interview only.

If they are still interested in you & your work, they'll book an interview.

DougA

[Noel_Carboni]

As I'm not a wedding photographer nor do I have a storefront, I wonder if you could clarify what it is you think these girls are doing?

If they're shopping for a wedding photographer, wouldn't you actually want them to come in and look over your samples? Of course, the part where they waste an hour of your time is not good.

Or are you thinking these folks are the competition coming around to see how things are properly done?

I'm sorry for being a bit confused.

-Noel

[ChrisPerry]

I get the shoppers at bridal shows. last bridal show this lady was talking with my assistant for a long time and got lots of info and then wandered on...I'd bet an L lens she's the GF/wife of a local photog that has a VERY bad rep in the industry (he has an attitude about him - he really should find work he likes, if you know what i mean). I check out the comp at shows too - some are very open and friendly (PPA members usually!) and some are very secretive and well, I have to laugh at what some do at times to avoid letting me see a price list or what have you.

It sucks when they waste your time one on one like that. Not sure what to recomend to you on it though. You can't chase people out the door based on suspicions...and stay in business that is.

[Ed Gerson]

Neal: Correct. The "bride" I suspect was spying; perhaps she actually was getting married but making the rounds to get some free pro ideas for her friend with a camera to use. You keep your chin up and accept it as part of reality.

[Ed Gerson]

Excuse me for getting your name wrong Noel. - Ed

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