This was an inquiry I received through marketingtool.com After going through this inquiry, I made up my mind I would not participate in the assignment. You know what they say about “too-good-to-be-true”.
Hello I will like to confirm if you can shoot a wedding event on the 23rd of November 2011? Please get back to me. at Regards
So I responded and below is the thread for the email listed above
Mark:
Yes, I have Nov 23rd, 2011 open. Will you and/or your fiance call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX to discuss your details and arrive at pricing and a contract.
Tom Szabo, Photographer
Mark’s reply:
Hello,
Thanks for the mail,Here is a little about the wedding.The wedding is taking place in Denver, Colorado. It is an 7 hours event starting from 9am till 4 pm. It is an indoor event which consist of 100 guest at most, I will like you to cover the reception as well which will start from 2 Pm till 4 pm on that day. I will like the picture to be on a CD, and I don’t have a wedding planner, I plan it by myself. Please reply me by e-mail cos I am physically impaired (Hearing). You may think about the flight and hotel accommodation, there is provision for that , my flight agent will make arrangement for that. I think with all the details have given to you now,Calculate your fee alone, you should be able to calculate and let me know how much it will cost. Please get back to me as soon as possible. I just contacted you via marketing tools and want to know if you can handle it.
Thanks
Cheers
Mark:
Your email did not allow me to determine if one or two photographers will be required. So, I’m going to assume that two photographers will be necessary for complete coverage. Providing 7 hours of coverage will therefore require a 3/4 day (9 hour). I’ve attached a wedding photography price sheet for your review. You’ll see that the fee for a 3/4 day , two photographers is $X,XXX.00. In addition you will need to select your final deliverable(s) and add that to the fee. You indicated you desire a CD of images as your deliverable. The fee for that $XXX.00. Should you decide on additional products, you can add in those fees also. You would be required to cover all travel, accommodations (2 rooms), meals and car rental expenses. Since you indicated you have a travel planner, I’m sure they can make the arrangements and work out direct billing to you for all expenses.
If this meets with your approval, Please let me know and I will email a contract to you. It will detail the scope of services, deliverable, fees, expense coverage and deposit. I await your reply.
Tom Szabo, Photographer
By Mark:
Thanks so much….I am very much okay for the price for 2 photographer. Please get back to me and let me know how much I need to pay as initial deposit to get the date reserved. Also get back to me with your name and address so that I can get the check for the deposit sent as soon as possible. I want everything to work out fast cos the date is drawing closer.
Thanks so much
I then email asking Mark why he had to fly two photographers in to Cleveland. There must be photographers in Denver that can handle the assignment. At this point I gotten no reply from Mark. Strange inquiry – wouldn’t you agree?
Mark’s email address is:
You might want to watch for these types of inquiries. So you see not only do consumers have to watch out for unscrupulous service providers, business owners need to watch for questionable customers.
wow….
sounds like another photographer pricing out the competition!…
More than likely this is a scam. Seeing it all the time on forums and facebook–the check for the deposit will be a bad check; the “client” cancels and demands a refund; “client” hopes refund gets to him before the bank notifies the photographer the check bounced. If these people used their energy on legal activities, just think how much our economy would grow! 🙂
Could be a prank and if the groom is truely hearing impared and this is not a prank or just bad secret shopping you may need to call them via one of the the phone relay services for the deaf. I’d give it another shot and ask for a relaly number you can call through.
Consider the broken English throughout his writings. Must be a scam.
It’s not a prank, or a mis-understanding due to the language…IT’S A SCAM, I hadn’t seen one of these in over a year, but last year there was a rash of these things. On APAnet or ASMPproAdvice, there were numerous photographers getting the same emails all around the country. I got one about shooting corporate portraits. They want your info…don’t give them anything!
Do you honestly believe they need to come to Cleveland to find a wedding photographer for a wedding in Denver…geeze, Chicago’s closer…maybe there’s nobody in Chicago that can shoot a wedding either!
BEWARE!!! Same thing happened to me from the SAME PERSON, see email thread below:
1. Name and address of Agreement Signee (you) Mark Harris
2. Name and address of location where ceremony is to be held, and exact time. 2200 federal Blvd , Denver, Colorado
3. Name and address of location where wedding reception is to be held, including exact times. 2200 federal Blvd , Denver, Colorado
4. Names of Bride and Groom, and their phone numbers for contact information. Mark Harris and Janet More 719 505 9078
Please send agreement via e-mail and scan it here so that i could print it out and get it signed and return it with the check.
Thanks so much
On 9/12/2011 1:20 PM, Mark Harris wrote:
Hello,
Thanks so much, I am very much okay with the quotation, can you please let me have the your name and address to get the check for the deposit sent to and send the contract to me via e-mail so that i can get it printed out and get it signed and sent back with the check..
Please get back to me soonest.
Cheers
From:
Subject: Re: Wedding Details
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:16:35 -0700
To:
Mark,
Standard rate for event coverage, with full release of photos and printing rights to images on a CC or DVD data disc would be $xxxxx dollars plus a per diem of $125.00 per day (one). This assumes your travel agent will provide airfare for myself and one assistant, and required lodging and ground transportation. We would need to arrive the day before the event, and depart the day following the event, which would require 2 nights lodging.
We would require a 50% deposit of xxxxxx payable in advance by check, cashier’s check or money order, and a signed photography agreement that reflects these details in writing to both parties.
Thanks again for your interest,
Chris Chaffee
crchaffee.com
On Sep 12, 2011, at 1:04 PM, Mark Harris wrote:
Hello,
Thanks for the mail,Here is a little about the wedding.The wedding is taking place in Denver, Colorado. It is an 7 hours event starting from 9am till 4 pm. It is an indoor event which consist of 100 guest at most, I will like you to cover the reception as well which will start from 2 Pm till 4 pm on that day. I will like the picture to be on a CD,
and I don’t have a wedding planner, I plan it by myself. Please reply me by e-mail cos I am physically impaired (Hearing).
You may think about the flight and hotel accommodation, there is provision for that , my flight agent will make arrangement for that. I think with all the details have given to you now,Calculate your fee alone, you should be able to calculate and let me know how much it will cost. Please get back to me as soon as possible. I just contacted you via marketing tools and want to know if you can handle it.
Thanks
Cheers
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:09:14 -0700
From:
To:
Subject: Wedding Photography Request
Mark,
Thank you for the inquiry on our wedding photography services.
I am available on November 23, 2011 as you indicated.
Please contact me at 208-651-xxxx, I look forward to talking with you about your event.
Thanks again,
Chris Chaffee
crchaffee.com
I got the same email – almost word for word except the wedding was to be held in California. Same person, same email/
Yup! He just tried to scam me too! But I am much smarter than he! Thanks for the post!!!