Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge for countersigning my friends' passport photos?

iaj101

You should charge £20 per person. That way they are still getting a great deal for your time as it’s still half the price of anyone else- they will have to pay you as they will be getting a bargain and maybe you’ll be able to go on holiday or something. Make sure you tell all the other people that you won’t be available to sign any passport forms that week else you’ll have lots of disappointed customers and that is bad for business. Make sure you get them to sign something to say they’ll pay you the money because I had this problem before. By the way, if you say you’re charging them for a signature first make sure they aren’t charging you more for theirs else you will be out of pocket- I am speaking from experience here.
You have to be smart about it but it can be a great little earner- good luck in your endeavours!

lilmisstrouble

Be kind, be the better person and do it for free. What goes around comes around

JayD

Are you really that penny pinching?


If you don't want to sign them, then don't.


It is quite reasonable to only do them for your closest friends and relatives and to explain to others that you have already done so many and that you really don't have the time to keep doing them.


Enjoy your new job

tenminnit

The feeling of self importance will wear off. Don't forget as a Police Officer you will be expected to abide by the law. Do you really want to have to advise HMRC of these transactions?

eddyh

I used to countersign many years ago. Made a charge - £1-and it went straight to a charity - now suggest £5 a go - this would give everyone a nice warm glow of giving where it's needed!!!!!!

DodgeDhanda

If you ask for a donation to a charity close to your heart of say £10 if you don't want to charge friends. Also it fine to charge as its your choice but it's up to you at the end of the day.

antonio12390

It sounds like you are asking if it is ok to charge because doing mutiple sign offs has become an inconvieneice that you would prefer not ot have to deal with anymore.


You must know that charging for the service would likely reduce the amount of requests, but at the same time it could have a negative impact on your friendships as a friend would not expect a friend to charge for a 'favour'.


Instead of charging, just be honest with the next person that asks you and tell them that you have recieved this type of request very frequently and that you would prefer not to do them anymore. I believe a friend would understand your position and not want to burden you further.

engineer_amy

I have been asked to sign these for a number of work colleagues and friends. I have a photo of my passport on my phone, so it usually takes less than a minute to actually fill in the details, and I would never dream of charging as its not really an inconvenience.
I have been phoned a number of times by HMPO (and the irish passport office) to confirm that I had signed these forms/photos in person, and asked how long I had known the person for - to check that my answer matched what I had written on the form.

LAURAJK

I would not charge for this service. I am an accountant and would never charge. You may find yourself in a position where you need a countersignature from your friend. It is a nice favour to do for a friend.

Buybye43

I was a Police Officer for 25 years. In all that time I was asked by numerous friends, family and neighbours to witness such things as passport photos and wills etc. I never even considered charging for this service.
If you are doing that many and if you're that desperate to make a few pounds, don't forget to declare it on your tax return and declare a business interest to your employer!
If I was a friend or family member, I would be well hacked off if you thought it merited charging me a fee!