online estimate at DVinfo.net

Paul Mailath · July 16th, 2009, 08:04 PM

what do you guys think of this idea as part of a website?

It seems to me lots of brides are looking at costs and I'm at least offering them something they can play around with and see the results - just playing around with the idea at the moment

Alec Moreno · July 16th, 2009, 09:14 PM

I'm shocked that if a couple has decided to have the bouquet toss filmed, that having the garter toss covered as well will cost an additional $100. Is there typically a significant amount of time between these two events in your area? If I were shopping around for a videographer, this would turn me off immediately. I would want to know that all the important stuff would be covered at the reception and that's that.

I don't see this as a selling tool. It looks more like something for a couple to play around with after they've already decided to book you, but are still deciding on an exact package, perhaps even at your office. I think that if a couple is evaluating videographers more so on price than their work, the only price that will matter is the lowest one you offer. Of course, you'll sell many of these couples on some additions, but selling services a la carte assumes that our potential customers are knowledgeable of what goes into a wedding film. I think that most couples would prefer for the process to be more streamlined.

Alec Moreno
http://www.1Day1ShotProductions.com

Paul Mailath · July 16th, 2009, 10:20 PM

Thank Alex,

The actual dollar amounts were just thrown in to play around with - It's one of those wonderful time wasting experiments :-) instead of doing some actual work!

But you're right - it's not going to be a good selling tool is it

Jimmy Conway · July 16th, 2009, 11:51 PM

I agree with Alec.

I think the brides want to know how much it will cost to cover their day and then see what they can do to subtract costs. That's usually their approach with me, anyways.

Matthew Craggs · July 17th, 2009, 07:03 AM

Realizing that this is a prototype, and I can't even get the total cost to change no matter what options I choose, I say this in a more general sense than specific.

I don't like giving so many options with the Speeches/Bouquet/Garter/1st dance/etc. As a client and a vendor I prefer to give a price for what it will take to get the job done right. $X of dollars for X number of hours, or $X from the bride prep to the dancing.

As it stands, a client could choose to get the bouquet and garter coverage, but not first dance and speeches. Are you going to charge less for that coverage when you're just going to be standing around the reception anyway?

Seems to me like the whole form is chance for the client to nickel and dime you.

Aaron Mayberry · July 17th, 2009, 07:36 AM

Why not just charge by the hour?

Jawad Mir · July 19th, 2009, 08:40 PM

Honestly, I find if you start breaking down events and also have separate cost for steadicam, brevis, it's not a good sell. It shows you are after money.

Either charge by hour to put it simple and it means your time is worth it and doesn't mean their partial events are not important. I also notice a lot of companies charging $600 for steadicam. If you really are into this business you should use it period at all your weddings. Otherwise it shows you are after money

Just ranting:)

Paul Mailath · July 19th, 2009, 09:29 PM

Nothing wrong with a good rant and I agree with what you say. I guess the pricing structure people use comes from the brides attempts to negotiate.

If I can simply drop my price for the same service - then was I overcharging in the 1st place?

So.. I remove 'parts' of that service (brevis, steadicam etc) to validate my original quote

I'm just guessing here - I don't do that but I can imagine why they do

In creating this form I was trying to fill a void - most websites in this area avoid specific pricing information and that's what brides want (according to the bridal forums) so if I can give them a pricing sheet to 'play' with, I'm offering them what they want and educating them in a pricing structure.

This is all time wasting unless they submit an enquiry but the longer they spend on my website the better for me. If I can polish up the estimate form and link it back to examples maybe MAYBE I can work it to my advantage.

or maybe I should just get back to doing the end of year financial stuff (anyone want to help me sort through a box of receipts? - anyone?)

Steve Elgar · July 19th, 2009, 11:10 PM

G'day Paul,

I'll throw my two bobs worth in here and say that you should just stick to package pricing with additional hourly rates. I tried a similar thing once and it didn't work, it just confused the hell out off clients. Give them a set price, and never discount, give them something extra if they haggle, but never a discount. Once you discount, word gets around and every dog and thier cat will expect the same discount. Discounting will also lower the value of your services.

The point is, if they don't wanna pay, then don't do the job.

Steve.

July 16th, 2009, 10:20 PM	#3
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Thank Alex, The actual dollar amounts were just thrown in to play around with - It's one of those wonderful time wasting experiments :-) instead of doing some actual work! But you're right - it's not going to be a good selling tool is it __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

July 17th, 2009, 07:36 AM	#6
Aaron Mayberry Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Flint, MI Posts: 212	Why not just charge by the hour? __________________ www.styleandmotion.com - Modern Wedding Films based in Michigan www.miweddingblog.com - Michigan's dedicated wedding blog

July 19th, 2009, 08:40 PM	#7
Jawad Mir Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 371	Honestly, I find if you start breaking down events and also have separate cost for steadicam, brevis, it's not a good sell. It shows you are after money. Either charge by hour to put it simple and it means your time is worth it and doesn't mean their partial events are not important. I also notice a lot of companies charging $600 for steadicam. If you really are into this business you should use it period at all your weddings. Otherwise it shows you are after money Just ranting:) __________________ Jawad Mir / Cinematographer . Filmmaker Film Style Weddings http://www.filmstyleweddings.com Jawad Mir http://www.jawadmir.com

July 19th, 2009, 09:29 PM	#8
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Nothing wrong with a good rant and I agree with what you say. I guess the pricing structure people use comes from the brides attempts to negotiate. If I can simply drop my price for the same service - then was I overcharging in the 1st place? So.. I remove 'parts' of that service (brevis, steadicam etc) to validate my original quote I'm just guessing here - I don't do that but I can imagine why they do In creating this form I was trying to fill a void - most websites in this area avoid specific pricing information and that's what brides want (according to the bridal forums) so if I can give them a pricing sheet to 'play' with, I'm offering them what they want and educating them in a pricing structure. This is all time wasting unless they submit an enquiry but the longer they spend on my website the better for me. If I can polish up the estimate form and link it back to examples maybe MAYBE I can work it to my advantage. or maybe I should just get back to doing the end of year financial stuff (anyone want to help me sort through a box of receipts? - anyone?) __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

July 16th, 2009, 09:14 PM	#2
Alec Moreno Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 184	I'm shocked that if a couple has decided to have the bouquet toss filmed, that having the garter toss covered as well will cost an additional $100. Is there typically a significant amount of time between these two events in your area? If I were shopping around for a videographer, this would turn me off immediately. I would want to know that all the important stuff would be covered at the reception and that's that. I don't see this as a selling tool. It looks more like something for a couple to play around with after they've already decided to book you, but are still deciding on an exact package, perhaps even at your office. I think that if a couple is evaluating videographers more so on price than their work, the only price that will matter is the lowest one you offer. Of course, you'll sell many of these couples on some additions, but selling services a la carte assumes that our potential customers are knowledgeable of what goes into a wedding film. I think that most couples would prefer for the process to be more streamlined. Alec Moreno http://www.1Day1ShotProductions.com

July 16th, 2009, 11:51 PM	#4
Jimmy Conway Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 50	I agree with Alec. I think the brides want to know how much it will cost to cover their day and then see what they can do to subtract costs. That's usually their approach with me, anyways.

July 17th, 2009, 07:03 AM	#5
Matthew Craggs Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 311	Realizing that this is a prototype, and I can't even get the total cost to change no matter what options I choose, I say this in a more general sense than specific. I don't like giving so many options with the Speeches/Bouquet/Garter/1st dance/etc. As a client and a vendor I prefer to give a price for what it will take to get the job done right. $X of dollars for X number of hours, or $X from the bride prep to the dancing. As it stands, a client could choose to get the bouquet and garter coverage, but not first dance and speeches. Are you going to charge less for that coverage when you're just going to be standing around the reception anyway? Seems to me like the whole form is chance for the client to nickel and dime you.

July 19th, 2009, 11:10 PM	#9
Steve Elgar Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Port Stephens NSW Australia Posts: 71	G'day Paul, I'll throw my two bobs worth in here and say that you should just stick to package pricing with additional hourly rates. I tried a similar thing once and it didn't work, it just confused the hell out off clients. Give them a set price, and never discount, give them something extra if they haggle, but never a discount. Once you discount, word gets around and every dog and thier cat will expect the same discount. Discounting will also lower the value of your services. The point is, if they don't wanna pay, then don't do the job. Steve.