Rescheduling fee

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<p><strong>William, you are on the same page as we are. We are simply abiding by our contract </strong>and what it states. I know that there is the issue of being the "nice guy" but sometimes dealing with people professionally is not always going to be a nice situation.</p>

 

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<p>No - <strong><em>We are NOT on the same page.</em></strong><br>

<strong><em> </em></strong><br>

In my comment above, I was merely was pointing out, that IMO there is no necessity to add clauses about rescheduling.<br>

No - From as far as what has been written, I cannot see how you are abiding by your contract - your OP states you wanted to go outside the contract and charge a rescheduling fee.<br>

No - My commentary was never about being a nice guy: it was about making the best business decision such that both parties win and the business retain the leverage in the dealings.</p>

 

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<p>Everybody wants to have the outcome they desire. <strong>What happens if now we hold this new date for them and then get a call telling us they are not going ahead with the wedding. We would have held two dates for them and unable to book any other photoshoots </strong></p>

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<p><strong> </strong><br>

Irrelevant to the situation. If they don’t go ahead with the wedding you keep the deposit. What happens if the sky falls in.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p><strong>Keep in mind that weddings are not our only business. So to have a free weekend here and there, in the middle of the summer is much needed and 9/10 times gets booked with something.</strong></p>

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<p>Irrelevant to the situation.<br>

This need not be kept in mind, at all.<br>

But as you are keeping it in mind – What is it you want? <br>

You now state you need weekends off, a few sentences previous you are complaining that you will not get bookings for two dates – these statements are conflicting and confusing.</p>

 

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<p><br />This is a word of mouth business, but in all honesty, you can't please the entire world. In the 5 years we've been doing weddings this is our first issue<strong>. I'm not going to let someone step over us and insult us out of fear that they may not refer us to anyone. </strong></p>

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<p>Emotive and likely clouding the judgement.<br>

I have previously suggested that emotional behaviour be removed from the solution to this problem.</p>

<p>No, we are <strong>NOT</strong> on the same page at all: this fact needed to be clarified, for the record.</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks everyone for your advice. All situations vary and have to be dealt with accordingly. Perhaps nobody is understanding my point and if any of you think that in any way we are being rude to out clients then you are mistaken. We have been nothing but kind and generous and have not uttered a word of negativity or attacked their character. It seems everyone is ganging up on me here as if I'm the culprit, I'm not. I'm simply discussing a business issue with you all that had more to do with BUSINESS then anything personal.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

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<p>What happens if now we hold this new date for them and then get a call telling us they are not going ahead with the wedding. We would have held two dates for them and unable to book any other photoshoots.</p>

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<p>This is why I suggested getting a second deposit. I hope this all works out for you.</p>

<p>You stated you raised the price of the same package about $1000. How has this impacted your business in this economy? Per the rescheduling fee, I work on the basic premise that if the situation doesn't cost anything the customer is (with few exceptions) always right and work with them toward their satisfaction.</p>

Thankfully we've been doing very well. Our business has actually increased. We were nervous at raising our prices

but we always leave room to negotiate with each couple and so far it's been great!

I agree the customer is usually right, there are always exceptions to anything.

<p>I'm surprised that no one else mentioned this but (and this could be based on where someone lives) a deposit IS refundable, a retainer IS NOT,</p>

The lesson here: always word your initial payment as 'retainer' and have a statement in your contract regarding date changes.

Taken to court by mother who asked for her money back. Judge concluded that contract is based on a single date and changing this would void the contract.

Mom didn't receive money back and had to pay for court fees.

Edited April 9, 2018 by Professional Photog

<p>I'm surprised that no one else mentioned this but (and this could be based on where someone lives) a deposit IS refundable, a retainer IS NOT,</p>

 

It is not as simple as using the word "retainer" or "deposit". There is more wording required to explain the situation which includes "liquidated damages" and so on. Have an attorney write out your contract. The argument of the use of the word deposit vs retainer is not enough.

It is worth mentioning that the OP, 'signature_assistant' has already mentioned in 2011 that all has been settled.

 

Also note this is quite an old conversation and the OP has not visited Photo.net since 28th October 2011..

 

Regarding the last few comments, I also agree that there is more to just using the words "Deposit" or "Retainer" and also the words may be contextually different, dependent upon location, and perhaps also dependent upon the modifier "non-refundable'.

 

WW