help with suspicious customer...

[evilluckycharms]

To make a long story short, I photographed a customer who mentioned reproducing photos for several different reasons. She signed a contract stating she cannot reproduce any images save for downloaded images which comes with a lengthy and specific personal use contract. After a few hours of back and forth, she finally signed the personal use contract... but instead of downloading the images, she ordered two significantly cheaper prints.

I have a feeling she is going to try to scan these prints and reproduce them, which obviously is against the contract she just signed. There would be no way for me to tell if she did reproduce them, unless it was by chance.

How can I send her an email that politely reminds her that she cannot scan nor reproduce these images? I don't want to risk losing a customer over a suspicion, no matter how reasonable it is.

Any suggestions?

[OsmosisStudios]

Wait a week, then send her an e-mail asking her if she was happy with the prints that she bought and, if so, if she would like to perhaps purchase some more, or a CD of images, or whatever.

[Jim Poor]

Put a signature on the prints. Not a copyright watermark, but a signature.

If she's the type of customer that is going to buy just a couple cheap prints, why do you care about losing her?

[eNZee]

i dont think theres any way to avoid that. every client you have has a potential of doing that.
what are you going to do about it? you can send her an email and remind her but that wont stop her from doing it.

i understand we all have that issue - including myself but i think there has to be an understanding that theres always a risk of that happening. if you dont want to risk it then dont be in the business. thats the bottom line.
there are certain ways to make it more difficult for the client but once they purchase the prints - thats it its over - the possibility is there no matter how much you dont want it to happen.

i think we have to have a realistic view on reality because people are CROOKS and they'll do anything to cheap another person out. i find life is alot more easy going when we can accept those facts and live life with a healthy perspective on life.

[JerBear]

The fact that you won't or can not confirm your suspensions sets the tone of your response.

Take the high road and treat your client with care. If you find out later that you were right, then act....but after thinking over if it is worth the bad press your client will spread about you in your community. Right or wrong, your client will turn it on you when they talk with others.

It has also been my perspective that the public for the most part, believe that the photos are "theirs" for the using any way they want. But, that is another topic.

I found that since I charge enough to cover what I want to make up front, that I can live with it.
If I come across a situation and in my line of work, a lot, I approach the person that is using my work without authorization and ask if they would like to pay for the use or if not take it down.

Whatever you do, the bottom line is that you want to Build your business and if that means sucking it up sometimes, well, that is the price of doing business.

Good Luck

JM

[evilluckycharms]

Originally Posted by JerBear

The fact that you won't or can not confirm your suspensions sets the tone of your response.

Take the high road and treat your client with care. If you find out later that you were right, then act....but after thinking over if it is worth the bad press your client will spread about you in your community. Right or wrong, your client will turn it on you when they talk with others.

It has also been my perspective that the public for the most part, believe that the photos are "theirs" for the using any way they want. But, that is another topic.

I found that since I charge enough to cover what I want to make up front, that I can live with it.
If I come across a situation and in my line of work, a lot, I approach the person that is using my work without authorization and ask if they would like to pay for the use or if not take it down.

Whatever you do, the bottom line is that you want to Build your business and if that means sucking it up sometimes, well, that is the price of doing business.

Good Luck

JM

thats one issue, is that i don't charge much. i charge $50/hr and was only going to charge $35 per image. she said she wanted them for $5 each!!!! i had to say no (obviously) so i have a feeling she isn't going to be speaking so highly of me anyways.

i ended up just asking if everything was alright, considering we spent hours emailing back and forth about licensing and stuff, then she decided not to buy anything but prints. thats when she responded with the download prices were too high and she wanted them for $5. so i just dropped the issue and said sorry she felt that way, but there's nothing i can do for that, im not going to sell unlimited reproductions for $5.

and that was that. we'll see what happens.

thanks for all your suggestions everyone

[candleman]

geez.. sounds like you need to watch this video..
Vendor/Client Relationships
*would it be inappropriate to send it to the client in question* ?

[evilluckycharms]

Originally Posted by candleman

geez.. sounds like you need to watch this video..
Vendor/Client Relationships
*would it be inappropriate to send it to the client in question* ?

HAH! seriously, i wish i could... i REALLY wish i could.

[photo.mom]

Yikes! what an uncomfortable situation! I'm glad you didn't cave - good for you

My only advice is to have your images printed with some sort of texture, which makes it harder to scan and reprint...

Good luck