Some people would think of it as a good problem to have: two couples looking at the same date.
One day I meet with a fantastic couple. Let’s call them… drum roll please… Couple A. We chat for a while and hit it off. We have lots of laughs and they are ooohing and aaaaahing over my photos. They have a couple more photographers to meet and will make their decision next week sometime. No problem. I want them to make sure they find the photographer that fits them best – hoping, of course, that it’s ME!
That evening I receive an inquiry for Couple A’s date from Couple B .
What do I do now?!
I remember when Chris and I bought our first minivan. It was a 1985 Toyota LE. We called it the Mystery Machine. The dealer kept telling us that if we didn’t buy it today we’d likely lose it because ‘there are three guys waiting in the wings to jump on this deal’.
“OMG… REALLY?! (Insert sarcastic smiley here) Chris, we better get it today!”
Give me a break. In the end, we ended up buying it just because it was fun to drive and it was Scooby Doo cool!
Where was I? Oh right. Back to Couples A&B…
Do I let Couple A know I got an inquiry and risk sounding like the salesman? “What a coincidence. As soon as you left, someone inquired about your date! What are the chances?!” Uh-huh. Of course they did.
Do I let Couple B know that I’ve already met someone for that date? “Just so you know, that’s a popular date. You might want to decide right now that you’re going to book me.” Riiiiggghhhtttt…
Do I tell both of them and risk losing 2 possible clients due to major cheesy smarminess or do I not tell either of them and just stick to my ‘first booking fee in my hand gets the date’ policy and risk upsetting the couple who may have had their mind set on hiring me?
If you’re a photographer reading my blog, what would you do?
If you’re a bride or groom reading, which would you prefer?
Inquiring minds want to know. You can leave your comments in the box below.
Tags: save the date
May 11, 2008 at 1:20 pm |
Hey Audra. I always say that honesty is the best policy. My suggestion, be willing to meet with couple B and then after the meeting send both couples an email thanking them for meeting with you and letting them know that you do not “hold dates” as a policy. Let them know that if they are interested, they should contact you as soon as possible to ensure that the date will still be free for them.
May 12, 2008 at 11:05 am |
I would let both couples know that there are two parties interested in the same date and then they can make an informed decision based on the information and won’t be heart broken if that date is taken. Then it is in their hands if they don’t get you because of their lack of response. And at the end of the day we are all adults and these things happen, no pressure, simply keeping your potential client informed. My 2 cents worth;)
May 15, 2008 at 8:21 am |
Hola Audra!
I always tell the couple my policies about securing dates right in the first meeting: “I secure the date for the couple who pays the retainer first”. Immediately they ask if someone else is looking for the date. If there is, I tell them as politely as possible “I don’t want to sound like i’m rushing you, but yes, there is somebody else interested in the date.” If there isn’t, i tell them so, and they immediately reply: “Please, let us know if/when somebody shows interest in the date”. That way, you are honest with everybody, they are aware of the possibility of the date being taken, and you genuinely protect your bussiness. I think honesty is the way to go.
Saludos!
May 15, 2008 at 10:07 pm |
Hi Audra,
You know what, I’d do exactly what Erin said above… I’d remind the couples that dates book really quickly and that you are saying that only do avoid dissapointing people, but I wouldn’t necessarily say that there are X# of couples trying to make up their mind for the same date at the moment… (what if another day you still don’t hear from the 2 couples, but a 3rd couple inquires for the same date, I don’t think you’d be notifying the others that suddenly there’s still a 3rd couple trying to make up their mind on a photographer…). You provide the valuable service and couples need to know that time is precious and for their own sake, book asap. When we were planning our wedding, all service providers kept repeating to us to book quickly and we were kind of used to it after a while, gotta make decisions fast sometimes.
May 18, 2008 at 1:36 pm |
Yup. You have to get it right up front. If the date hasn’t been retained, a 3rd or even 4th couple could enter the scene. In that case you’d have to call on your dad for backup. Good luck..Love, Dad
May 18, 2008 at 1:41 pm |
Heaven forbid I have to call on my Dad for backup!! LOL!!!
Thanks for the comments everyone!
June 8, 2008 at 3:18 pm |
Audra. Not being a professional photographer, or a bride, or a groom… I just wanted to say that you ARE a professional photographer, you are in business as such and a part of that business is bookings…
Book the day. Let them know it was booked. Don’t feel bad about it.
They can change their wedding day, your services are worth it….