Should I leave it be or call again?

Julie Deane · 05-07-2004, 07:39 AM

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.

Kimberly Dow · 05-07-2004, 06:44 PM

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.

Julie Deane · 05-08-2004, 10:37 AM

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.

Tom Edgerton · 05-08-2004, 11:38 AM

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

Joan Breckwoldt · 05-08-2004, 07:24 PM

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

Chris Saper · 05-08-2004, 09:28 PM

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.