kevin cook - stratford upo Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 This is a short passage from a news item of last week regarding deposits on wedding photographs. I couldn't beleive it but I'd be interested in anyone's views. To me it's a no-brainer and the excuse that it was an administrative error just doesn't wash. "A bride-to-be whose fiance died five weeks before their wedding day was told by a photographic studio: "We'll keep your deposit for next time." Rachael Gate was still grieving over Jon Baglee when she asked for the return of her ﾣ150 down-payment. But instead of handing over her money, Risbeys Photography in Darlington told her she could put the money towards her next wedding album" The full story is here- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=393925&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source= If you lived in that area would you consider using them?I'd have instantly offered the refund, what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurenm Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Wow! Unbelievable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_sullivan Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 your link gave me an "article not found". Doesn't surprise me though...although I agree, it is heartless...but every corporation I have worked for does very similair things to their customers and employees. Even if it is "in the contract" this sort of customer relationship will eventually catch up with them. This would definitely be something that the company should for go the contract rules and show a little customer respect. Of course, I do reserve final comment on this until I see the article.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_marby Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I run a full time studio and it's in the wedding contract that retainers are not refundable, however, depending on the circumstances I do return it. I had one wedding where the brides father died 3 days before the wedding and naturally I returned it. Also if the groom is in the service and he is called to active duty I return it. Due to the nature of this business most people can see the need for not returning the retainer under normal cancellations but you also have to be compassionate. Jim Marby pictureperfectstudio.biz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin cook - stratford upo Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 This is the link (I think) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=393925&in_page_id=1770 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin cook - stratford upo Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 I agree and under most circumstances when there is a cancellation I'm not asked even. But the studio appears to have contacted the bride themselves some months after and made the offer. How much would it had been worth if they had instantly refunded when told and offered their condolences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlad khavin Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I would think that had they offered it right when she called, they may have seemed like push-overs, but at the same time, they would have saved themselves that bit of publicity. I would think that such an article, depending on how widely read will be quite the black mark against them in the public eye. I don't know the comparative value of ﾣ150 to $150 dollars, but... if it's anything similar, at least to me, returning $150 instead of running the risk of bad press wouls seem worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fall_leaf05 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 "How much would it had been worth if they had instantly refunded when told and offered their condolences?" They would have gained a grateful customer who might have come back if she ever decided to get married... But instead they got bad press that will cause them to lose customers depending on how many read the article, and how many the bride had told... They were absolutely heartless and ... what goes around comes around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_c38 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I always keep the retainer fee. Of course there is always an exception for the rule. This would be one of them. What goes around comes around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiva Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'm pretty firm on the Retainer ... in the case above I'd have returned it instantly and asked if I could create a collage or a group of photos to be used at the funeral? To do otherwise is just foolish in a humanitarian sense as well as a business sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_sullivan Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 aahhh, it's a corporation type tier of administration photography place. This is exactly what you get when you put too many layers of management and administrative assistants between the policy makers and the customers. Three months!?........total failure to communicate....IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_helmke Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I'm generally hard-nosed on non-refundable deposits but I wouldn't even think twice before returning this one. Some circumstances simply demand decency and compassion. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedding-photography-denver Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Wow, that is not such a good goodwill gesture. In fact, I would say its an illwill gesture. Some times the 'policy' needs to be reconsidered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer valencia Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 that's a sad story - how awful for the bride! Yes, I would have instantly given the money back, offered my condolences, and let it go. Some things are more important than retainers, and human decency is one of them. I hope that people boycott that studio for their actions! Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conraderb Posted July 13, 2006 Share Posted July 13, 2006 of course, some people would suggest that any publicity is good publicity - "as long as they spell your name right!". on the other hand, that's a touch too machiavellian for my taste. death of bride or groom would be an retainer refund in my books - no future credit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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