DoyleY Loc: Worland, Wyoming

Let it go.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Send him a bill for $125 with a due date. Mark it as balance due owed on framed art. Mark the invoice with the agreed amount. Show his $300 payment and then the balance. You can threaten legal action if he does not pay. If you choose not to pay and you do nothing it just emboldens a dishonest person. BTW, I would never trust this doctor with my health care.

Tom W Loc: Lincoln Co, WA

In a way I can relate but in a different way. Many years ago I owned an old backhoe for my use on our small farm. I wasn't licensed and bonded nor did I try to do anything to compete with those who were. But I'd did for friends and neighbors on occasion. If I did a job for someone I didn't know well, I'd tell them beforehand how much I'd charge for the job after they asked how much an hour. I didn't charge by the hour. I'd look at the job and give them the total price. But for friends or neighbors, I'd dig without discussion of a price. When I was done, they'd ask what they owed me. My standard reply was, "Whatever it's worth to you." Normally they'd pay more than I'd have asked. But one time in particular, a fellow that I worked with asked for me to do some work for him. I told him no charge but I'd fill the tractor and truck both with gas and at the end of the day he could simply fill both again just replacing the gas I'd used for him. We put in a good long day. At the end of the day, I said, "OK, Rick, lets fill the gas tanks." He began to whine, "I'd have to find a can. I'd have to go to town (we were just outside town) and get some gas..." the tone of his voice clearly saying he didn't want to hold up his end of the agreement. Thinking back, I could have told him, "OK, pay me the $50 it took for gas, no labor." But I didn't. I told him forget it. Some people!! Some time later he asked to borrow my equipment. He looked a bit hurt when I said no. I didn't loan my stuff because it was old and I knew how far to push things or knew early when something wasn't quite right. But in that case I also knew he wanted something for nothing.

BebuLamar

Yes let it go! If the OP wanted $425 he should insist at the time. He can tell the doctor to pay him later or return the picture at the time but in this case it all seemed that he agreed to the lower price so trying to get the $125 is not a good thing.

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

Some very rich people have had the reputation of being total tightwads. Sounds like he's another one.

BTW, the 'I only have a 100 dollar bill' dodge is pretty common.

bobburk3 Loc: Maryland

I do photography as a hobby, not professionally. When friends express an interest in my photos, I either just give them a digital copy or have it printed for them at whatever my cost is. If you are professional that's a whole different deal.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yeah, "Don't worry about the price. If I think it's too high, I'll tell you."

In a case like that, suspecting the outcome, I would charge him for all expenses involved in getting it printed, plus 25%. The last time I had four $100 bills in my wallet was - never.

If you had reversed the situation and asked him to pay what he thought it was worth, he would have offered less than the cost of the printing. He probably had it on the passenger's seat of his Mercedes as he drove home. I've heard stories like this so many times.

BebuLamar

I guess you get rich because you are tight with your money.

larbear360

This would have been cool on an etched metal surface.

As to the good doctor, my experience has been they will only leave 10% for the waitress but spend their summer vacations at a beachfront 5 Star/5 Diamond resort.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Not to beat a dead horse, but in this case you two were NOT professionals. He was just a guy (even said not to consider his position) buying a print and you appear to be an amateur photographer selling one, even if a very nice one. (No disrespect intended, just meaning it doesn't sound like you were selling your work before or would not have proceeded this way).

With my previous 39 yrs in Sales & Marketing my best guess he had "buyer's remorse" after hearing the price or maybe even mentioned to his wife (if married) and she gave him some flack on price or where he was going to hang it. It would be so interesting to hear his side. But he would not be the first to regretting a price. Let it go before it devours you or affects any work relationships.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Two lessons learned.
1. Agree on price at order and get good faith deposit.
2. Never haggle after finished product. (You really never had a set price)

Walk away from it. You still have to work with him. If he ever brings it up, then remind him, maybe.

For the future, create a price list for common sizes, and print types and keep it on your phone. Ask what they want and give price, getting a faith deposit. If your price things right, you can say something like "I have a 10% discount for a new customer, first order".

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

The last several time I bought something and framed it, the cost of the frame exceeded the cost of the print or poster I was framing, in one case by an order of magnitude.

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Forget about it and walk on.

HRoss Loc: Longmont, CO

First, yes he was a cheap jerk. That said, he initially said price didn’t patter (until it did). In the future, before you waste time energy, and money producing the print, quote the price and details. Get the commitment. Then, if a buyer balks after the fact, just keep the print and walk away.

He was paying for your image, time, effort. He is not valuing you.

Sorry you were cheated!

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I would bet that this person does things like that all the time. No agreed upon up front pricing, then once the product is ready, the negotiations begin. This forces the producer of the product to negotiate from a losing standpoint. This is a great lesson and it didn't cost you too much. We all make mistakes, and we will make others in our lives. Just remember this when someone else comes to you wanting one of your photos. Put a price tag on it and ask for the money up front. Confronting this person can only make you look bad. Good luck.