Real life MMD: Can I up my quote for a friend's wedding photos?

Former_MSE_Debs

Money Moral Dilemma: Can I up my quote for a friend's wedding photos?

A former colleague asked me if I'd photograph her wedding. I'd photographed a few weddings by that point, so I quoted her £250, a fair price at the time. However, she went on to postpone, meaning the date is now two years later. I've since gained more knowledge and skill, and feel like the price I quoted is too low.

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VoucherMan

Too right you can.

Even without the extra experience there's inflation to take into account.

If your original quote had been for a 2012 wedding date then you're stuck with it but how can anyone reasonably expect a quote to be valid for 2 years?




I'm getting married in 2010 will you be my photographer?


Yes.I'd love to. It will cost £250 and in case you decide to postpone the wedding the quote will be valid until 2012.



Surely a wedding quote is valid for that day only. Maybe later in the year under exceptional circumstances. But 2 years!

iclayt

Course you can, they can always go elsewhere if they don't like it, but I imagine they'll still find you cheapest. Even mates rates have a limit.

Ladyhawk

Assuming that this person asked you because they thought of you as a friend, I think that it a little mean to increase the price. By all means do so but don't expect a Christmas card from them. If it was some random customer I wouldn't think twice about upping the price... citing that I had other plans for that date which I will now need to cancel.

robynprincess

Of course you *could*.

If I'm totally honest, I wouldn't. You agreed on a price, it's a friend. They asked you in good faith, you accepted in good faith. Is the extra money really worth it? Weddings are expensive things, be a nice person and do them a cheap deal, I'm sure they will recommend you to their friends and family.

eloiseh

Given the increase in inflation and the economic down turn it is acceptable. £250 for a wedding is very very cheap. Even £500 would be. Point out to your friend that they are paying for your time, skills and resources as well as any insurance you may need.

As long as the price is fair I wouldnt worry.

Loran_Aniseed

Well it is really up to you. The quote is very cheap, so I understand why you would want to do that.

However,T think Ii depends on how close you are to them. If not too much then its fine, but for a close friend I don't think you should be too calculative. You might increase it slightly if the material and the cost for you to prepare exceeds 250, and charge them only for the cost that you have to bear. I wouldn't mind help a close friend as a wedding gift

Techno

The OP refers to them as a former colleague in the post so it could be more acqaintance then best friend. Our Best Man's dad did ours and we just paid for the photo's to be developed (yes it was that long ago!) £250 for your time on the day is fair but what about the cost and time of printing etc - had you included that in the price; had you included a certain number of pictures or just any that they wanted? The cost of materials has probably gone up as well as your expertise.

scoobydoobydoo

Yes but let them know asap as they are probably basing their budget on your original quote.

eurovision_fan

I think if you made the agreement say in 2010 (2 years ago) then absolutely as inflation has increased by at least 10% or more since then but as it's your skill that also increased that would in my mind increase the price.

For that instance I would suggest a price of £300 (still a large saving on many photographers)

---

If you made the agreement this year and they're not likely to photograph until 2014, then i would say that this amount is a preliminary quote as prices for materials and your expertise is likely to increase and therefore a 2012 quote is only valid for 2012, but I would strongly suggest a written quotation with this on it so if they tried to keep to that quote you can point out that clause.

Secondly all quotes are legally only "An Invitation To Treat" an enticer and not legally binding - if there is clearly a mistake made by either party then the offer is up for tender between the two parties until either a deal is struck or rescinded.

But either way I would suggest increasing your quote.

Tortle

It surely has to depend on your relationship to them now. If it's just an old colleague that has no current link to you or your friendship circle then by all means up the price, but if you're still linked to the person by either family or friends or colleagues then consider how you may be perceived afterwards if you do so. To be honest £250 doesn't seem like a bad days pay to me if you have to grin and bear it.