Grrr No Shows

Why to people have to mess me about! I re-booked someone in for a shoot today, as last week they were ill. They were limited for times and days so I rejigged some stuff around to get them in today, and what happens? they dont turn up or even bother contacting me 90mins of my morning wasted, even went out a payed for a new background (gorgeous deep Chery Pink) which i was dying to try out aswell

I hate having my time wasted! I think im going to have to start taking deposits from people.

Yep, people are tossers! Got to worth ringing around togs and see what they do and follow common practice. I've had my morning messed around too.

Arranged some people to visit at my workplace today at the request of a big-wig. Typically I arranged a tour of various facilities with military precision at great inconvenience and begging favours of my busy staff and colleagues. Then the group turn up 35 minutes late, I have to rearrange everything and who gets the brunt of the blame for inconveniencing colleagues, me! Not one word uttered by the group to say 'sorry'. Some people are just on a different planet and oblivious to the trouble others go to.

Sam, I think you are going to have to start securing a deposit, as that way, they may be less inclined to let you down half the fee up front, rest due at sitting. I think that is fairly common practise.



I hope the background expenditure, wasn't because of my comments I love Cherry Pink, so that's a winner xxxx

Sadly it is the way of life and you have to factor in to cover your costs, lucky the pink background will go into stock but there are times when you simply have to cover costs or you are in deep dodo.

Remember with pain, dragging all the equipment 55 miles each way to interview a MD at his office only to find said MD was held up in another country and would I make another appointment. No I would not as I could not trust the secretary to bother to phone that our trip would be for nothing. After that missed appointments were added to the bill.

Deposits sound like a good way to go about it - although you have to weigh that up against the number of people it may put off :-/

I would wait until you have a larger client base before you start charging deposits. I can see how frustrating it must be when people don't honour an appointment but as Azz said, you have to weigh up how many people might be put off by having to pay a deposit up front. I know it is common practice for larger photographers to do this, but whilst you are still establishing yourself it could be slightly detrimental.

Your learning about running a business, its not uncommon for no shows. We ask for a non returnable deposit within 14 days of the booking. Putting a time limit on deposit payments does enable you to program your work time better, also should there be a no show at least you have something for your time and trouble. It also shows how committed your clients are for your services

Bazza

I used to keep a deep pit in the back yard for such people. Filled it up so now I must dig another. LOL

Sam you will be surprised how many people will ask for there deposits back when they cancel! lol
I have to agree with BlackCloud here "people are tossers"
also I don't think a deposit puts people off, well not the sort of clients you want anyway! what I mean by that is if somebody doesn't want to pay a none refundable deposit then they aren't sure they are going to turn up any way! your running a business Sam not a charity!!!

How annoying. I think you should definitely take deposits.

xx