Embarrassed
Dec 10, 2022 02:28:46 #
I apologize for not contributing more to the forum. It seems like just with prayer, I only come here when I need advice. For that, I am sorry, although my current predicament is likely punishment enough. Here goes:
A doctor at the hospital where I serve as a nurse, liked one of my fine art photographs enough that he asked if I’d sell him a printed canvas of it. He told me not to worry about the price and to charge him what I thought it was worth; and not to give him any special treatment based on his position. I gave him a custom chopped stretched floated framed canvas measuring 20” X 40”. I priced it at $425. He didn’t have the money at first, but said he’d have it the next day. The next day he said he thought the price was too high. I was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do, so I lowered the price to $350. He only had four- one hundred dollar bills and I didn’t have change so I just took $300 and walked away. Now I’m pissed. I don’t really care about the money as much as the disrespect. I want to give him his money back and get the piece back. Should I?
A doctor at the hospital where I serve as a nurse, liked one of my fine art photographs enough that he asked if I’d sell him a printed canvas of it. He told me not to worry about the price and to charge him what I thought it was worth; and not to give him any special treatment based on his position. I gave him a custom chopped stretched floated framed canvas measuring 20” X 40”. I priced it at $425. He didn’t have the money at first, but said he’d have it the next day. The next day he said he thought the price was too high. I was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do, so I lowered the price to $350. He only had four- one hundred dollar bills and I didn’t have change so I just took $300 and walked away. Now I’m pissed. I don’t really care about the money as much as the disrespect. I want to give him his money back and get the piece back. Should I?
Dec 10, 2022 02:56:11 #
The first moral of the story is that some people don't appreciate how expensive it can be to have photos printed and framed. He probably thinks that most of what you were charging him was you trying to get money for your photo. Secondly you'll find it's a minefield trying to go back on a verbal agreement - which is what you gave him when you accepted the $300. Doing that will provoke a lot more than just a lack of appreciation.
Dec 10, 2022 03:47:35 #
Either way, I look bad. As it stands, it appears I wanted too much for something of little value. If I re-neg, I still look bad. How can I just let him know how disrespectful he was, that he’s the jerk. I feel like he needs to know he was wrong.
Dec 10, 2022 05:07:51 #
Jklovell wrote:
Either way, I look bad. As it stands, it appears I wanted too much for something of little value. If I re-neg, I still look bad. How can I just let him know how disrespectful he was, that he’s the jerk. I feel like he needs to know he was wrong.
Best is to Just forget it!! The cheap SOB will get his one of these days.
You will never convince him he is wrong!! Remember He IS A DOCTOR!!
I have met and dealt many people him in my 60+ years as a Mechanic, after getting shafted a couple of times I learned not to deal with people like that.
While rebuilding a transmission I once ask a Professional why his time was worth three times my wages, he told me I HAVE A DEGREE , I just smiled and politely told him to put his transmission back together, locked my tool box and left work early!! The next day I got my butt chewed by the boss, I finished the job at quiting time I ask the boss if I should come in the next day he laughed and and said yes. The next time the guy came in the boss sent him packing.
Dec 10, 2022 05:13:09 #
alawry
Loc: Timaru New Zealand
Nice; as Bicycle mechanic 35 yrs I can relate fully to that. Cheers Andrew.
Manglesphoto wrote:
Best is to Just forget it!! The cheap SOB will get... (show quote)
Dec 10, 2022 05:14:36 #
Jklovell wrote:
Either way, I look bad. As it stands, it appears I wanted too much for something of little value. If I re-neg, I still look bad. How can I just let him know how disrespectful he was, that he’s the jerk. I feel like he needs to know he was wrong.
The main thing he was wrong about was his perception of what these things cost. And there's the possibility that your own expectations were a bit skewed. It's possible that your photo wasn't the masterpiece that you thought it was, even if it was one of your favourites. If it was one of your favourites, that would give it value for you, but not everybody will see it the way you do.
Dec 10, 2022 05:19:10 #
You learned an expensive lesson. It's hard to do business with friends/associates.
Best to let it go but not to forget it.
Best to let it go but not to forget it.
Dec 10, 2022 05:30:47 #
Jklovell wrote:
Either way, I look bad. As it stands, it appears I wanted too much for something of little value. If I re-neg, I still look bad. How can I just let him know how disrespectful he was, that he’s the jerk. I feel like he needs to know he was wrong.
Just take it as a $125 lesson on how to value and sell your work.
Move on, life is short.
Dec 10, 2022 05:53:09 #
R.G. wrote:
The main thing he was wrong about was his perception of what these things cost. And there's the possibility that your own expectations were a bit skewed. It's possible that your photo wasn't the masterpiece that you thought it was, even if it was one of your favourites. If it was one of your favourites, that would give it value for you, but not everybody will see it the way you do.
But, the op said the doctor liked that photo; not just a photo. Doesn’t change his predicament, but is a distinction.
Dec 10, 2022 05:55:55 #
I believe the first lesson to learn is to put a price to your work before the transaction. Words like "not to worry about the price" do not sound good to me. If you say the price will be $425 and he accepts it the next step, just to check the integrity of the person, is to ask for a down payment to cover initial expenses. That would be the way I would do it.
I once did a portrait for a doctor, a very good friend of mine. We did not discuss price and actually price was the least of my concerns. I made an 8x10 inches enlargement, put it on a cheap wooden frame and next day I delivered the portrait. He wrote a check for $250 and thank me for the portrait. Even when I told him that amount of money was too much he said to me to keep it and thank me again.
Like others have said, just forget the incident but learn in case you come up with another sale.
I once did a portrait for a doctor, a very good friend of mine. We did not discuss price and actually price was the least of my concerns. I made an 8x10 inches enlargement, put it on a cheap wooden frame and next day I delivered the portrait. He wrote a check for $250 and thank me for the portrait. Even when I told him that amount of money was too much he said to me to keep it and thank me again.
Like others have said, just forget the incident but learn in case you come up with another sale.
Dec 10, 2022 06:07:31 #
Jklovell wrote:
I apologize for not contributing more to the forum... (show quote)
IMHO what you should learn from this experience is worth much more than $125, so move on.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends
Dec 10, 2022 07:17:55 #
Dec 10, 2022 07:19:46 #
It looks like the “agreed upon price” was $350. His “charge me what you think it is worth” statement could not be seriously viewed as a starting point to produce the canvas. Would you have been disappointed if you presented him with the canvas and he balked at a “worth price” of $4000. You agreed to except $350, he gave you $300; he owes you $50. If the $300 paid resulted you in recouping out of pocket expenses, I would drop the matter to avoid any further disharmony in the workplace. Thanks for sharing your story, it is a lesson learned for all of us.
Dec 10, 2022 07:49:55 #
yssirk123 wrote:
Just walk away and take this as a life lesson.
Agree...
Don't need to make things worse.
Dec 10, 2022 07:56:58 #
David Martin
Loc: Cary, NC
The first lesson here is to agree on quality and price beforehand. Cheaper materials and/or smaller size = lower price, finer materials and/or larger size = higher price. The second lesson is that this particular buyer is an ass. BTW, assuming the transaction occurred in the hospital or clinic, the cashier could have easily provided change for the $100 bill!
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