On 1/12/10, Godfrey DiGiorgi, discombobulated, unleashed: >In all seriousness: never. I've had editors tell me everything from "I >don't know" to supplying a highly detailed rate chart, and I've had >editors tell me they couldn't afford the price I set when they didn't >have a rate chart, etc etc, but none have ever indicated they were >uncomfortable with the question. How could they be? They're in >business ... arranging a business transaction .. just like I am. Are >you uncomfortable or put off if a provider whose services you need >asks you what the budget for a shoot might be?
Must be the British. When I get asked for a quote, I take into account my daily rate in balance with the nature of the work and the client's history with me (including non at all). I have to make a living and so if I asked each client what his/her budget was for the job, and indeed if they even answered, then I'd either laugh them off the phone or adjust my rate upwards accordingly! Seriously - my rate varies by only a little. There are plenty of companies offering my services and we all charge very similar amounts - where I can undercut is that I can not only organise the job, but I also undertake the writing, shooting and editing myself. Others may have to sub-contract where necessary. I think maybe the nature of the work has a lot to do with it - selling individual photos may promote the questioning about budgets, but on projects that I typically work on, we're talking about several days' work or an entire job. The client is likely getting in quotes from other sources also, so while trying to be competitive, I also have a living to make and my rates are set accordingly. If I work for less than my determined minimum, I'd go bust fairly quickly. Targeting the upper- middle to top-end of my market is tough, but that's the background I have and the choice I made. >Are you uncomfortable or put off if a provider whose services you need >asks you what the budget for a shoot might be? Not at all - it's never happened though. If it did, I'd probably ask them to hold on while I checked my pockets. Really. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ---------- http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
