Jack47 Loc: Ontario

You should not have lowered your price but once you did and he accepted you should have said “I’ll get back to you tomorrow with your change”. Lesson learned.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

You learned a lesson, MONEY FIRST! SOB did it on purpose! Once had a wedding, for a friend's aunt, didn't ask for money up front, she complained so much that I walked away and didn't even get film and processing out of it.
I Learned, the hard way.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Just eat it...lesson learned! I would act as if nothing happened. ABOVE ALL, don't mention it to your co-workers!! Keep your wits about you as this kind of stuff happens throughout life. Most of us (if your old enough) have been burned a few times. I can empathize. As a doctor he could probably make your life pretty miserable at work if he wanted to.. It's not worth it (it wouldn't be to me). Take your lumps and act as if nothing happened. You may even get some more "customers" out of it and you'll be better prepared to handle future sales. What are YOU going to do ? Let us know and good luck.

vpeek1947 Loc: Louisville, Ky

My Uncle Jack -very good business man - taught me years ago - settle the details on the front end - fewer arguments on the back end.

CWW Loc: North Jersey

Money always talks loudest when the request to make the photo was made. No mistaking what was agreed upon. Great advice from the forum, walk away smarter!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

There's a saying to keep in mind at times like these which many have heard before which is, "That's the way it goes, first the money and then our clothes".

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

If you want to keep him as a friend forget it. Otherwise you might gig him his money back and say, I'd rather give it bro you rather than cheapen its value. Just my feelings.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

Take the high road and take all that advice. It's a lesson learned.
And...I hope you're resisting the temptation to share the misfortune at the workplace with co-workers. That would
not be wise!

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

This is a pisser. You are right to feel abused and it depends on what you ultimately want to do to recoup your well being. I don’t think you want revenge, you want him to act like a respectable and honorable man of his stature.

Your price is not the issue. You sold for a fair market value. FMV is defined as “willing buyer, willing seller, no compulsion to buy or sell, all knowing pertinent facts”. Where you are wronged, is this person failed on his obligations. You need to either let it go, and know that he is not an honorable man, or confront him with your honest story of your feelings to gain satisfaction that you have been wronged. Amount of money for the photo is not the issue, unless it was defective. He knew what he was buying.

I recently sold a canvas print to someone I did not know. I walked her through the Costco site, we both picked out the size and finish, I uploaded the photo for printing. We used her credit card for the purchase, eliminated any potential issues. Of course, my image was a gift and I did not seek payment, but at least I did not worry about payment. I think your artwork is hanging in your hospital, if I remember correctly. This may happen again. Next time someone want a print, do as I did with their credit card. They will understand that it costs money to buy and if they complain about that, you will know upfront that you will have a problem getting paid later.
Sorry this happened to you.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

This, from a class of people, some of who think they are the only smart people on Earth and that their time and skill is priceless. The fact that you have honed your skills to such a high level that the doctor wanted your photo; added to your investment in photo gear, printing equipment, cameras and the knowledge to put it all together means nothing to that particular high and mighty doctor.

That rant might be unfair. I know many physicians who are humble and dedicated.

I also know some who have this self-acquired image of themselves that they are better than mere mortals and they have to show-off with expensive cars, mansions, exotic vacations, art collections, etc. Some spend everything they earn on their image and lifestyle and are usually broke or even deeply in debt.

In the future, you should think through your offerings. Have price and service points and reach an agreement prior to doing all the work and incurring the expense. Don't give him the print until he gives you the money. There is an intrinsic value to the talent and creativity employed to acquire the photo. Then there is a marerial cost in the printing, mounting and framing. All combined, your original price of $450.00 was probably fair.

If he had taken the photo and presented it just as you did, his price would have been $1,000 or even $2,000 because he, after all, is a doctor.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

A couple of things: First: How did you arrive at your original price? Was that a "feel good" price or did you do some homework to see what pieces like that were going for in local galleries? You weren't selling from a storefront so you shouldn't expect someone buying from an individual to build in the price for maintaining a store nor should you expect to mark the piece up since you didn't buy it from an originator. For a piece the size you mention, your price doesn't seem out of line, but again, you have to weigh that against the local market.
Second: You agreed to reduce the price to 350.00. That should have been the end of the negotiations. You should have taken the 400 and told the doctor you would get change and get his 50.00 back to him. He obviously knows where you work and there shouldn't have been a trust issue.
Third: When you were first approached by the doctor you should not have agreed to produce something without knowing your cost and without knowing what the doctor was willing to pay. For someone to say not to worry about price isn't the same as someone actually handing you a blank check. In the future, if someone wants a photo from you, do some homework first -- tell them you will get back to them with a price. In this way, you won't be stuck with a piece of work you may not be able to sell in the future even at a loss.

George Limle

When I sold at craft shows they were framed. I had 2 boxes of 5x7 matted. When a young child would find one he liked and showed it to his parents and didn’t buy it he would get free! The payoff was the big smile on their face.

photoman43

My advice is to Do Nothing More and be Gracious! Ask the doctor to recommend your services and skills to others so you can expand your photo opportunities. Consider your "loss" as a marketing expense and a minor one at that.

Most people are like your doctor--completely clueless about the costs involved in getting a photo ready to hang on a wall.

The next time be up front and be prepared to state that the price is $xxx and that includes just my actual costs for the print---YYY and framing--zzzz. And if you want glare free glass add another $ xxxx. Something like that so there are no surprises.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Life is full of bad experiences. Learn from it and move on.

Skitch Loc: Las Vegas, NV

As both a former ready mix concrete executive, and a health insurance broker (and a long time photography enthusiast), May I please tell you that:
The reason corporations have senior executives is so someone can make a disgusting decision just to close the book. I have written off unpaid bills from people who had the resources to pay same. Dante has a special circle in Hell for them. And in health insurance I have negotiated between both doctors and the insurance company to protect my clients.

He has the photograph you took and mounted at his request. You have the knowledge of a beautiful picture well presented. Take a moment, heave a big sigh, and move on. Revel in knowing someone liked your photography experience enough to ask for it, and know too many people are always looking to cheat.