Satisfaction Guarantee?

[ChrisAdval]

Does anyone offer this you customers?

I'm considering this to just add more value to my services and convince some who need or want more security before spending on my services. I know as customer myself I love seeing the "Satisfaction Guarantee" then I would feel safer to spend, but I don't plan to have a "Satisfaction Guarantee with your money back" because it’s a service, so if someone isn't satisfied I would just fix the problem for free* (if it’s not a dramatic change of course, and it would depend on what we agreed with during consult [before shooting], so I have a customer sign my contract on the specific needs and if I don't satisfy that I would fix any issues of what they've mentioned on the contract needs)

What do you guys think about having a "Satisfaction Guarantee"?

[3bayjunkie]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

Does anyone offer this you customers?

I'm considering this to just add more value to my services and convince some who need or want more security before spending on my services. I know as customer myself I love seeing the "Satisfaction Guarantee" then I would feel safer to spend, but I don't plan to have a "Satisfaction Guarantee with your money back" because it’s a service, so if someone isn't satisfied I would just fix the problem for free* (if it’s not a dramatic change of course, and it would depend on what we agreed with during consult [before shooting], so I have a customer sign my contract on the specific needs and if I don't satisfy that I would fix any issues of what they've mentioned on the contract needs)

What do you guys think about having a "Satisfaction Guarantee"?

I think seeing your portfolio should be security enough

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

I think seeing your portfolio should be security enough

I agree, but we're talking about the general public consumers here.... which tends to hire the wrong photographer most of the time. And with the overflow of self-proclaimed "professional" photographers, selecting the right photographer for the general public is pretty hard and a lot of work like choosing a car. As a marketer, using the "right" words for your target demos is important and I think using "Satisfaction Guarantee," would give a safer feeling to the general consumer. Not just that, you know, some photographers aren't consistent and would just have their best work in their portfolio... you can't tell at all if they're consistent unless you look at ALL of the publicly released photos from the photographer's work.

[misspinky]

I would feel a bit (who am I kidding? A lot!) under pressure if I did that to myself! It's a scary thought.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by misspinky

I would feel a bit (who am I kidding? A lot!) under pressure if I did that to myself! It's a scary thought.

its not like refund guarantee, just re-do the assignment. If you know you can deliver consistency I think it would just put you (person using "Satisfaction Guarantee" policy) over the competition who self-proclaim to be "professional photographers" that has weak consistency levels.

[Tito87]

I'm beginning to think that you care more about business than photography.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by Tito87

I'm beginning to think that you care more about business than photography.

of course, my influences like Mark Wallace taught me that... if I wanted to be a photographer first than a business person my business side would be weaker end. Now if I had a large budget of hiring people to handle the business, makeup, hair, retouching, and all other aspects that's not the photography aspect then I would. In today's business photographers you have to have all or most hats and do tons of things that is not using a camera. Like advertising, marketing, graphic design: business cards, web design, postcards, flyers, etc., the business end of a photographer is endless, yes I would love to just shoot and not worry about the business but it’s not like photographers are doing well in the employment department hence is why most photographers are self-employed, that’s just how the market dictates how business photographers work today.

But honestly, I wouldn’t be doing this if I was not confident in my current work –unlike most self-proclaimed professional photographers who charge. I’m doing this because I’m having people coming to me asking for my rates when at that time I didn’t have my rates set because I was just in my portfolio building stages (which I’m still sort of in, just trying to make them stronger). And I already know I’m very consistent in the quality department (unlike many other photographers who charge don’t have any consistency).

[Biomech]

I wouldn't myself, purely because "satisfaction" is predominantly subjective, and you'll end up getting people saying they aren't happy just to get more out of you. I think client testimonials work better.

Personally, I put some of my corporate clients on my website to add credibility. If it's good enough for the likes of Krispy Kreme - then I can't be that bad :P

[terri33inne]

+1 to Biomech....

Photography is very subjective, and even people who acknowledge they like your style can come back & say 'it's not what I expected', and look for the refund, credit, or second shoot.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by terri33inne

+1 to Biomech....

Photography is very subjective, and even people who acknowledge they like your style can come back & say 'it's not what I expected', and look for the refund, credit, or second shoot.

I agree it is subjective, but providing a service to a customer is part of the job no matter how that customer judges the finished product. In the business world the goal is to always keep the customer happy for they can become a loyal customer and not just that word of mouth would be great as they tell good or bad stuff about the service provided. It's hard to explain, but even if you think the shots are bad to you, but good to the customer, that's what they wanted... its not like you're putting watermarks on paid work.

When you're not doing an assignment for a customer, and its for trade or fine art for yourself, that's when you have the ultimate control. But when you're being paid its your customer's in the drivers seat, and if you want to stay in business and continue to grow as a business (in a good way) you let them (at the least with guidance from a "pro" hence is why I give consultation to my customers before shooting and giving them my own expertise on what would look best). It's like in McDonald's... if you don't like the finished product (like a big mac) you tell them to remake it however you like, they will.... Customer loyalty is the key to staying in business.