How do you politely decline?

I've got a customer who has called me once a week for about a month. Each

time she has told me that she will have her daughter call and set up a

consultation. The daughter has never called. We've set appointments that she

ends up canceling. I've never once spoken to the bride. They refuse to meet

me for a consultation on my terms or my location and insist that I meet them at

their home. I'm a low end photographer and they want my low end package.

 

I've kinda been getting the willies about them for the past few weeks and

something deep inside tells me that this is gonna be BIG TROUBLE if I take it.

 

I'm tempted to meet them, but unless the bride is going to be an incredible

portfolio builder, I'm not going to take it.

 

What do you tell a client like this?

Next time they call just politely tell them that you have already booked that time slot for another client.

 

Learning to say "no" is a very valuable business skill.

Well you need to stand clear on certain factors. I do think that your intial reaction of this bride is probably correct that she is going to be very difficult! It will probably continue throughout the entire process making tons of appointments and having them cancel. This just isn't what you need to deal with. Just let them know that you think they would be better suited to a different photographer. Let them know that you don't feel comfortable taking on their kind of wedding as of yet. Or just tell them that the date is taken and you couldn't hold it for them anymore. That is the easier course. Good luck!!

I would second Ellis' advice, but with the caveat that I would not say anything that isn't true.

 

"Sorry, but I'm no longer available on that date" is much better than stating you have already booked that time slot for another client, if you haven't.

 

It's a very subtle difference, but I really don't think it's a good idea to lie to potential customers. Even if you don't want their business.

 

 

Eric

You just booked that date. Sorry.

 

This is a bad news client anyway.

I agree. You're no longer available on that date.

 

Russ

You are no longer available on that date. No other explanation is needed or should be given.

 

Not being available could be anything from a new client, to a scheduled surgery, or a play date with your dogs. But you don't need to offer an explanation at all, period!

I'll join the no longer available crew. If appointments are not kept, wait to you find out about the payment.

Me 7. I have rarely been wrong on my gut feeling when troubles lie ahead. go fishing - life is too short Maybe Susan wants to book them?

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We've set appointments that she ends up canceling. I've never once spoken to the bride. They refuse to meet me for a consultation on my terms or my location and insist that I meet them at their home.

****

 

What you typed right there is only an indication of things to come. Never compromise your position of where you stand with things. It's better to lose a job, than to potentially open yourself up for a potential problem down the line.

 

Everyone else seems to think similarly, as do I.

If this is what they're like BEFORE the wedding, imagine what THE DAY OF the wedding will be

like, or the troubles you'll have AFTER the wedding trying to sell them prints. I agree with

everyone else, you're no longer available.

I appreciate your interest but I just don't have the time to devote to your situation which seems very detailed.You deserve the best on your wedding day and I wouldn't want to take on a wedding if my heart isn't totally into it.

Or just say your are booked.

One thing about suggesting the reason is that you are booked is that they may not have nailed down all their dates yet. What would you answer if they then ask, "Well, OK then, when are you free?"

There's always the direct approach.

 

"You know <insert Mom's name here> I've been trying to get in touch with <insert daughter's name here> for over a month now, and it's just not happening. I'm afraid I cannot afford to spend any more time on this. Thanks anyway, and best of luck to you".

 

Later,

 

Paulsky

Amen, brother Paulsky!

I agree with everyone else above. Tell them just like paulsky!

I'm with Paulsky. Or tell the Mom, the daughter needs to call you herself if she is serious as you are very busy. No need to lie and say you're booked. That way you don't have to wonder when someone else calls about that same date if they are checking up to see if you are really booked.

Tell them you are having a volunteer tooth removal that day without getting numbed up. It's less painful then doing this wedding! Ummm, I actually like you are booked that day!

They have no respect for you, your time, or your work. This will be MISERY for you if you

continue. Take the advice everyone has given. :)

Weigh the risk, just as you weigh the angles for a photo:

 

If this turns out to be a great portfolio bride, you have improved your portfolio.

 

If this turns out to be a difficult, or at the worst, legally tangling situation, you have possibly ruined your business.

 

Worth the risk?

No need for an explanation. Just say not available. If they ask for different date, say you will

check your calendar and get back with them if you are availble. I recommend not lying. Your

availability is determined only by you. Don't worry about some one checking on you because

you will be asking whose wedding they are calling for before saying anything about your

availability. You can decline a job in any number of ways but doing it politely is good

business. Hope some one else with better manners will call you. Sandy

After listing how difficult to meet they make themselves or even work with you, I'm surprised you'd write that you're tempted to meet them. But they don't appear as tempted to meet you.

 

I wouldn't mention anything to them about why you'd rather not have their business, as they'll just raise a defense and perhaps bad mouth you to others for being fussy... just a nice "oh I'm so sorry, thanks for thinking of me, but I've made other commitments" would suffice.

 

It's not as if they were really going to book you anyway. They've just been wanting to know that you're there, available, as a back up, just in case, while they've been going around trying to book a photographer.

 

That's what you've been seeing the outwards signs of.

On the slightly unrelated topic of "portfolio builder": They don't have to necessarily be pretty, just well liked by many people. In other words, if somebody sees their image and recognizes them, are they likely to hire you?

 

On the subject of what to tell these people: If you simply express your frustration in a tactful way and decline the job, you preserve your dignity and self esteem. Most people don't talk about photographers (one way or another) unless they actually hire them, so I wouldn't worry about bad word-of-mouth.

 

Later,

 

Paulsky