|
I have found that the positive approach works when discussing the portrait deadline with the client. I tell them that I will most likely meet the deadline, but that an excellent painting is my top priority and not the deadline, and that I won't sacrifice the quality of the portrait just to meet a deadline. (I never refer to it as "their" deadline, but rather "a" deadline or "our" deadline. That way they don't get on the defensive that I'm ignoring "their" deadline.) They almost always agree. I also have gift certificates that they can give to the person to whom the painting is intended. The certificate is nicely made on my computer with borders and then I mat the certificate so it looks classy. It says something to the effect "In honor of your special birthday an oil portrait is being created of ...etc."
In the contract that customers sign I have the following section:
"Every attempt will be made to meet the requested due date, however the painting will not be sacrificed for the sake of the due date. If the painting is a gift for a specific occasion, an appropriate gift certificate will be provided in the event that the painting is not completed in time. If appropriate, the unfinished painting may be made available for a special event, to be returned to the artist for completion after the event has concluded."
Hope this helps.
Mary Reilly
|