Potential Clients calling for discounts?

MikeyP

MikeyP

Well-known member
Im sure you've gotten the call [most notoriously from first time clients].... "We need you to do this shoot but we dont have your normal rate, can you nock off $200 (or whatever) off your rate?"

I normally tell them, "sure I'll do it but I get to choose the shots that I shoot out of focus to compensate for the discount." That typically ends that discussion. I wont discount for many reasons, mainly my 22 years of experience has shown that they making full rate and Im going to end up with disaster in my lap once they bail.

What are some other ways or phrases that you use to discourage discounting -stop them cold in their tracks- with your clients?

[For reference, most of the times after I say this they do come up with the money, and those that dont- Im better off not working with]
 
start off by giving them a higher quote, but then tell them you would be willing to give them a discounted rate of _______. sure it's the same price as what you normally get, but they feel like they're getting a deal instead of paying full price.
 
Doesn't matter who the client is; I always "check my calendar" before agreeing to any job. On the phone, that gives me enough time to find out the rate they are offering is any good (and other details of the job). If it's clear that the client isn't worth it, I'm generally "not available on that date" anyway.

You never "take a job", you "fit it in".

- Mikko
 
ugafan said:
start off by giving them a higher quote, but then tell them you would be willing to give them a discounted rate of _______. sure it's the same price as what you normally get, but they feel like they're getting a deal instead of paying full price.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I do. Bargain shopping is epidemic so just do like the furniture stores mark it up so you can mark it down.
 
MikeyP said:
Im sure you've gotten the call [most notoriously from first time clients].... "We need you to do this shoot but we dont have your normal rate, can you nock off $200 (or whatever) off your rate?"
Click to expand...

Depends on the client. If you know they're not worth dealing with unless they're paying top dollar, you can say "My rates are pretty firm, but if you need a less-expensive alternative..." and then send them to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC0sR5_NTFo

Or, if they're great clients who you'd love to keep around and you want to stop this discounting nonsense right in its tracks, and you think they'll see the truth in it, you could send them to that totally awesome video that had ad agency folks trying to use their same production-company-negotiation techniques in other industries (like at restaurants and stuff...) Hopefully someone will pop in here and fill in the link.
 
Barry_Green said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC0sR5_NTFo
Click to expand...

Wow.

Looking at their site; they are trying hard enough that I don't think it's a joke.


Barry_Green said:
Or, if they're great clients who you'd love to keep around and you want to stop this discounting nonsense right in its tracks, and you think they'll see the truth in it, you could send them to that totally awesome video that had ad agency folks trying to use their same production-company-negotiation techniques in other industries (like at restaurants and stuff...) Hopefully someone will pop in here and fill in the link.
Click to expand...

I assume you mean this one?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY

- Mikko
 
I give a lot of discounts because I need the work, and people around here are so poor that I can't expect much else locally. But there are limits. If it's not worth it to me, I outright tell them I can't afford to do that; the expenses I have to deal with would be too much. Just being honest with them goes a long way.

I also do what the first reply said, starting with a higher bid than I actually expect, but only if I think they're going to bargain me down. If it's an email from someone who could be checking with other video producers I'll give them a realistic rate, since I may not get a chance to discuss it.
 
The rate is the rate !!!!

Next time ask if they try this at Walmart or Target when purchasing a TV or whatever. Between stuff like this and craigslist ads drives me nuts. I understand everyone is trying to save a buck, cut back, etc.. but flat out saying we don't know your rate but can you take $200 off of it. I could go all day, I'll leave it at that.



Oh no it surfaces again.. lol Man this makes me laugh everytime hahahah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC0sR5_NTFo






.
 
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Great feedback, I agree with you twocik23. How do you discount quality? Not like we can use recycled tapes or anything else. They seem to be asking for "good, better or best". I know of know way that I can "dumb" it down from best to good-- if you're paying we're doing the job right- no two ways about it.
 
When a thread turns to the Fred and Sharon videos to make a point, I often wonder if they are members of this site.
 
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