VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

dmgood · Guest

Here's the scenario...

New corporate client with their own production facilities. I quoted them an hourly rate. They asked that I be there at 8:00 AM. They did not come out to greet me until 8:15. We did not start recording until 8:30. I completed the session at 10:30.

Would you bill them for 8:00-10:30 (time I was there) or for 8:30-10:30 (time in studio)?

I do not want to be "penny wise and pound foolish".

Your thoughts and past experiences appreciated.

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:28 am Post subject:

The booking was from 8 until 10.30 and the client would expect to be billed for that time.

Dave · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:55 am Post subject:

I agree.

They asked you to be there ready to rock and roll at 8am... and you were. That's when the meter starts. Think of as any other the job where the employer sets the hours... if you were'nt there you would be docked for coming in late.
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:24 am Post subject:

I like to ask questions...e-mail the client if you are not sure and ask them how they want to be invoiced (meaning the times you mentioned). If they say only 2 hours- I would do that, hope they continue to use you, and move on.

But that's just me...
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:31 am Post subject:

I don't know, Kara. That may be a little too nice. I'd bill them for the whole thing and if they come back asking about it, then be prepared to negotiate. Give em a break the first time so as not to lose client, but warn them that it's standard policy to charge for the whole thing. They probably won't make the same mistake again.
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todd ellis · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:34 am Post subject:

i'm with jeff - easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:44 am Post subject:

Hey- I ain't scared to be alone in this! Cries

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JimRon · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:46 am Post subject:

i, too agree with jeff. they asked you to be there at 8a. that's when the meter starts. if they weren't ready to record at that time, then they should have told you to come later. your time is money.

if they were ready to start at 8a, and you were late, do you think they'd deduct that from your invoice? maybe.

bill them for the 2 1/2 hours. and if they question it, explain the situation in a friendly manner. if you're calm and relaxed, you'll be able to work something out that everyone is happy with.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:49 am Post subject:

Yoda117 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:53 am Post subject:

I'm with Jeff not just for the business aspect, but also for this very reason...

how would the client react if the roles had been reversed?
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:57 am Post subject:

Hey Yoda. See the top left corner with Brian pointing at you saying "Don't quote entire messages"?

Guess what? You just did. Smile

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Hart · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

sorry Jeff, but sometimes you have to quote... I don't like having to re-explain myself because someone didn't realize that I was referring to a specific posting or conversation taking place in a thread.

Though I agree, I was still in the chain so it should have been easily IDed.

Fixed Bitchin

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bobsouer · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

Kara,

You're not alone. My reaction is the same as yours: ask the client what they expect (reminding them in the process that I was there at 8:00 AM as requested) and if they say, only bill for 2 hours, that's what I would do; and then forget about it.

No one profits from resentment. And my goal is to leave a sweet memory of me and my work in the mind of every client; or at the very least every client with whom I wish to work again.

(edited to correct typo)
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CWToo · Guest

They wanted you there at 8, so bill them for the time. I used to have a client that always showed up late--15 minutes to a half an hour--and he would say, "I'm paying for it so I can show up anytime I want to."

My personal rule is if I'm not at least fifteen minutes early, I'm late.