Should I leave it be or call again?
 

Hi -

I am not sure what to do next. Here's the situation:

Back in February, I put a painting up as a sample at a charity auction for out local art museum. The winner was to get a portrait of their choice. An older woman paid with the idea that her painting would be of her grandaughter. The child's mom came by to see the sample painting after the auction, but it was obvious that this was grandma's idea, and not hers. When I asked who I should be talking to for final decisions, she said firmly that she was the one. I made an appointment for a photo shoot. When I got there, mom hadn't bought the dress she wanted, but told me go "go ahead and take head shots". A few weeks after that, when the mom had still not contacted me about a photo shoot, I checked back. She said "Can I call you later?" I made sure she had my phone number and that's the last I have heard from her. And that was at least a month ago.

Do you think I am under any obligation to the grandmother to call her and let her know that I will be happy to do a portrait any time they are ready? I mean, they have my number, and no one has called. Even if they lost my number, they could easily get it from the art museum. I am figuring that I should just leave this alone. Maybe I'll hear from them, and maybe I won't. What do you think? My main concern is that I don't want any misunderstandings and any negative comments about me not meeting obligations, even though I have done what I think I can at this point.

Same sort of thing happened to me - the lady paid $900 out and I was told she would upgrade. I have her numbers, but I have not called her. The charity people say she has my number and I have a shop right downtown. If she wants the portrait she paid for she can get in touch with me. I did my part and would certainly do the portrait I donated, but I am not going to stalk her to get it. A friend of mine who has a retail shop says that they love selling gift certificates - it's free money because so few people actually use them!

So take the credit for the donation and don't fret about it. The only thing I wish I had done is specify a time-limit. I'd hate to think of this woman coming to find me 5 years from now or something.

Okay
 

Thanks, Kim. I tend to be conscientious to the point of overdoing it sometimes. I like your idea of a time limit. If I do this auction thing next year, I'll definitely add that to my info.

I appreciate your feedback.

I would drop the grandmother a note (include your business card) saying that you have made contact with the mother, appreciate her participation in the auction, and leave it at that. If the grandmother has any influence, she can make it happen. If she doesn't--and it sounds like she doesn't beyond a point--it won't.

Sounds like the mother isn't interested in playing. Sometimes it happens that way.

Best--TE

Note is a great idea
 

Hi Julie,

I would do exactly what Tom suggested, write the grandmother a note with a business card enclosed. That way you'll be sure there was no miscommunication about you not fulfilling your part of the bargain. I think Kimberly's idea about a time limit is a good one too (for future gift certificates).

And try not to worry about it, sounds like you've done everything you can.

Joan

Hi Julie,

Notwithstanding that you should always have an expiration date attached, I think you have a potential problem at hand. Because your certificate is for a product, not a dollar amount, you are pretty exposed. I have had many experiences where the gift is not redeemed within the time frame, but then I do list an expiration date, and only donate a set $ amount TOWARD the portrait. So it never really matters to me when it's redeemed, since I've probably already had a price increase along the way.


Aside from the financial problems above, I have had two situations where the buyer gave a gift to someone who really had no interest in a portrait, and yet who had approval authority. Please take my work for it that this is an unhappy road to travel.

My advice is to let it go. When you give yourself a price increase ( which you should do regularly, even if it is a small increase) take the opportunity to send out a mailing letting ceritficate holders ( whose certificates have no expiration date) know that your new prices are $xxx, and that their gift certificates will be converted to a credit for a value at the old prices. Then they will either need to act, pay you the difference, or let it go too.

Thanks for your feedback
 

Thanks, Tom, Joan and Chris -

This has certainly been a learning experience! I guess I will send the b.c. with a note. That sounds low key and not irritating to anyone. The price increase idea will have to be for next year sometime at the earliest.

I appreciate your help and experience in these matters.

Chris has made a vital point. We expend a lot of energy trying to bring home these "soft" commissions--putting way too much time and energy into keeping them alive--when, believe me, you do not want to go through painting a portrait for a person who had no real interest in the project to begin with. They will invariably be your most critical, least available, and most fractious clients. They will make you hate the work, and will never do anything afterward to advance your career through positive referrals etc.

Better most always to just walk away and concentrate on making the genuinely interested parties happy. These clients are where the real gold lies.

Best--TE

More learning experiences
 

Thanks, Tom -

To contrast this frustrating experience, Iast month I did a pencil drawing for a mom that, after I made one minor adjustment as requested, she was very happy with. And she will want three more done in the future. That experience was so rewarding for all concerned.

I hope I don't run into too much more negatives, but I guess I had better be prepared.

Like today - Not a people portrait, this time, but a house portrait: the woman wants her house done so she can have cards made with the watercolor sketch on it. She was supposed to have told me what time of morning the sunlight would shine on her roses, which she wants to be prominent, but she didn't remember to. I came by last week, and had to ask her to move her car out of the way of the front door so I could take photos. I wasn't satisfied with the first set of shots, so called ahead to let her know exactly what time I would come by today. And, waddayaknow, the car was there again, and it was too early to ring the doorbell and ask her to move it!

Besides contracts, which I now plan to use on ANYTHING commissioned, are there other ways to limit this sort of irritating experience?

Ring the doorbell and make 'em move the car. The yard man would. The plumber would.

Part of avoiding negatives is to insist on being treated like a professional. This is not always necessarily verbal--it's in the attitude you convey. If you run a tight ship on your end by keeping scheduled appointments, preparing adequate contracts, communicating clearly both personally and in writing, and generally doing what you say you will do and not doing what you say you won't, most clients and potential clients will respond to you with respect. You don't have to be humorless and stiff, just straightforward and firm when firmness is needed.

Ninety percent of the people I work with are exceptionally nice and personable, even fun. But I learned a while back if I act like "hired help," some folks will treat me that way. Subsequently, I've found that if I expect respect (and extend it) from my side, and I don't get it back, that's someone I don't want to work with and I diplomatically decline the job. Any project that smells bad at the beginning smells worse in the middle and won't get better later. Trust your initial impressions.

Better to work part time until your business picks up than to work for obnoxious people who will spoil the work for you.

Best--TE