Ok, this a a rant and vent thread..... following are e-mails between a client and yours truly. Names and figures are censored for the obvious reasons.
From client.....
" Hi Ying Kit,
I am trying to get confirmation from the Client that they are able to keep the place open on 21st Oct evening as they might not have anyone to lock up if it finishes too late. Can you give me a starting and likely ending time for this session? Thanks.
I have attached the email trail between us for your reference. I have a request - I would not bargain with you on the fee you quoted me ($xxx.xx + $xxx.xx)but I do request that you give me a greater numbers of photographs instead since this is the first time we are working together. Hope you can agree.
Thanks in advance and look forward to your formal quotation. Thanks."
My response.....
"Hi Mr xxx,
1) I received this e-mail moments after I sent out my reply to your previous e-mail.
2) I am not agreeable to your request and will not be taking up the assignments. Thanks."
Client's response.....
"Hi Ying Kit,
I am quite taken aback by your abrupt reply. Can I clarify that you have decided not to take up the assignment because I am asking for more shots of each of the project? If this is so, than I find it rather disappointing with the inflexibility. Nonetheless, thank you for your time anyway."
My response.....
"Hi Mr xxx,
1) Would like to clarify the following:
Pricing and deliverables
I have prepared my quotation to you in accordance to a per photograph basis. If you were to divide $xxxx ($xxx + $xxx) equally among a set of xx photographs for both assignments, it will work out to $xxx per photograph. I would like to point out that my usual charges for assignments on a smaller scale like yours is about $xxx to $xxx per photograph so rest assure that you are enjoying very favourable rates as a first-time client. While I regret for not explaining the rationale of the quotation to you earlier, I trust that you appreciate that taking photographs is not merely an act of clicking the camera. The production of a finished photograph involves pain-staking prior planning and post editing as well. Since you did not raise any objection to the quotation submitted previously, I am merely standing by what was promised to you and am ready to deliver that promise.
Timing
As I have not heard from you for a long time since we last conversed, I think it is reasonable for me to assume that you have decided not to engage my services for the assignments. I have since taken up other assignments and had my schedule filled up to November 2010. Your e-mail came as a surprise(pleasant) and due to your tight schedule, I have to re-adjust shooting schedule for other assignments to accommodate yours.
Accusation of being inflexible
I am quite taken aback too by this accusation. As mentioned in previous paragraphs, I am merely standing by my promise to you which you did not object in the first place. I have re-arranged my schedule to accommodate your assignments. Hence, I maintain that I have not been inflexible. Thank you."
Have not heard from him since. What you guys think?
From client.....
" Hi Ying Kit,
I am trying to get confirmation from the Client that they are able to keep the place open on 21st Oct evening as they might not have anyone to lock up if it finishes too late. Can you give me a starting and likely ending time for this session? Thanks.
I have attached the email trail between us for your reference. I have a request - I would not bargain with you on the fee you quoted me ($xxx.xx + $xxx.xx)but I do request that you give me a greater numbers of photographs instead since this is the first time we are working together. Hope you can agree.
Thanks in advance and look forward to your formal quotation. Thanks."
My response.....
"Hi Mr xxx,
1) I received this e-mail moments after I sent out my reply to your previous e-mail.
2) I am not agreeable to your request and will not be taking up the assignments. Thanks."
Client's response.....
"Hi Ying Kit,
I am quite taken aback by your abrupt reply. Can I clarify that you have decided not to take up the assignment because I am asking for more shots of each of the project? If this is so, than I find it rather disappointing with the inflexibility. Nonetheless, thank you for your time anyway."
My response.....
"Hi Mr xxx,
1) Would like to clarify the following:
Pricing and deliverables
I have prepared my quotation to you in accordance to a per photograph basis. If you were to divide $xxxx ($xxx + $xxx) equally among a set of xx photographs for both assignments, it will work out to $xxx per photograph. I would like to point out that my usual charges for assignments on a smaller scale like yours is about $xxx to $xxx per photograph so rest assure that you are enjoying very favourable rates as a first-time client. While I regret for not explaining the rationale of the quotation to you earlier, I trust that you appreciate that taking photographs is not merely an act of clicking the camera. The production of a finished photograph involves pain-staking prior planning and post editing as well. Since you did not raise any objection to the quotation submitted previously, I am merely standing by what was promised to you and am ready to deliver that promise.
Timing
As I have not heard from you for a long time since we last conversed, I think it is reasonable for me to assume that you have decided not to engage my services for the assignments. I have since taken up other assignments and had my schedule filled up to November 2010. Your e-mail came as a surprise(pleasant) and due to your tight schedule, I have to re-adjust shooting schedule for other assignments to accommodate yours.
Accusation of being inflexible
I am quite taken aback too by this accusation. As mentioned in previous paragraphs, I am merely standing by my promise to you which you did not object in the first place. I have re-arranged my schedule to accommodate your assignments. Hence, I maintain that I have not been inflexible. Thank you."
Have not heard from him since. What you guys think?