prints for refund

[mrdinh]

What do you pros do when customers want to return some prints in return for a refund? Do you have something in the contract to prevent that? Or maybe have a restocking fee? What ideas is the best way to deal with this?

thanks

[Anders Östberg]

What's their reason for wanting to return the prints? Just changed their mind, or do they have some complaint? If they don't have a reasonable complaint I can't see how someone can demand to return ordered prints.

I imagine this can be difficult to handle, satisfy the customer but take a financial hit or keep the money and maybe lose a future customer...

[FredG]

Unhappy, or they scanned and printed their own, so don't need the originals. If they were provided with proofs, or slide show prior to ordering, they had plenty of time to decide so there should be no reason to return. Easy for me to say, as I've not been in that situation. I think I would have differing thoughts if they wanted to return, say, 5 out of 12 ordered versus 5 out of 100 ordered. The restocking fee has some merit to at least cover your printing cost. Even if you designated "all sales final", I suppose there would be some who still demanded a refund. One way would be to price for some small percentage of returns, so spread the cost over all clients. However, the restocking fee approach would allow lower advertised prices and puts the financial burden on those who actually have returns. I'd like to hear the thoughts of people who encounter this in the course of their business.

[Steve Mitchell]

I would say a lot has to do with the reason given. The product you supplied has a lot of cost involved. The time you took taking the picures, the editing, the prepping for print and your hard ink and paper costs (assuming you did the printing). Being a very capable photographer as you are Fred, you will know whether the images are up to saleable quality or not. If they are in your mind, I would say sorry, no return. If the prints are lacking in some way in your mind as well, then I'd make them keep them. Your gut should tell you if something is fishy or not.

[angelic]

I would ask if they are disatisfied and why. If it's a reasonable critique (printed too dark or off color) I would offer to have them reprinted. If they chose these prints from some type of proof and the print looks like the proof, then I would say that it is a non-resaleable item so it's not returnable.
I'm gradually changing my pricing so that the prints are relatively low priced but I'm increasing my session fees. I've aleady done this with my wedding pricing. I'm telling the client that they benefit because the session fees are non-taxable. I'm saving because I'm charging for my time straight up and don't have to depend on picture sales. Not sure that it will go over..we'll see.

PS I looked at your website and you do a good job.

[rjgleason]

Originally Posted by angelic

I would ask if they are disatisfied and why. If it's a reasonable critique (printed too dark or off color) I would offer to have them reprinted. If they chose these prints from some type of proof and the print looks like the proof, then I would say that it is a non-resaleable item so it's not returnable.
I'm gradually changing my pricing so that the prints are relatively low priced but I'm increasing my session fees. I've aleady done this with my wedding pricing. I'm telling the client that they benefit because the session fees are non-taxable. I'm saving because I'm charging for my time straight up and don't have to depend on picture sales. Not sure that it will go over..we'll see.

PS I looked at your website and you do a good job.

Cathy, how are your session fees non-taxable? Just curious.

[angelic]

Bob,

Services do not have sales tax in Ohio. I do have to claim it as income.

Originally Posted by rjgleason

Cathy, how are your session fees non-taxable? Just curious.

[rjgleason]

Originally Posted by angelic

Bob,

Services do not have sales tax in Ohio. I do have to claim it as income.

I new I liked a lot more about OHIO other than its great bowling alleys!!! Do you have a room to rent? Possibly two .....One for me and one for my camera gear and golf clubs.

[gparr]

Originally Posted by rjgleason

I new I liked a lot more about OHIO other than its great bowling alleys!!! Do you have a room to rent? Possibly two .....One for me and one for my camera gear and golf clubs.

I know where Bob's bowling ball is. Let me know when you get to Ohio and I'll have it shipped.
Just trying to help.
Gary

[rjgleason]

Originally Posted by gparr

I know where Bob's bowling ball is. Let me know when you get to Ohio and I'll have it shipped.
Just trying to help.
Gary

If I only knew how to be a "hack" I'd venture into your computer and delete that pic, but you probably have it stored away in some remote file just for safety sake.

Here I am in Aberdeen and I have yet to see a bowling alley but I do see a lot of pick up trucks.