Brides,with a wide range of budgets, contact us during the months of January, February and March to secure our services. We are so thankful for each inquiry and we love meeting so many couples. Each conversation is an education process. Together, we discover what each bride is looking for on their personal day. In return, we share our take on pricing, products and how to get the bast bang for their buck.
Unfortunately, the world of wedding photography can sometimes appear like the world of car sales. Most people (not all), who are out looking for a
“new to you” car can be sold a few things that they don’t really need. Let us tell you a story…
A young couple, just married had their first “new car” experience. Their trusty steed was a 2001 Forest Green Saturn. Originally leased (bad, bad idea), this couple went to turn the vehicle back in at the end of 2004. Upon arriving at the dealership, they realized that they were about 30,000 miles over the lease limit! Yes, you read that right, 30,000 miles! So they were faced with 2 options: pay to return it or buy it.
During the financing paperwork, the loan officer had a few questions about “extended warranties”, “oil changes and tire rotations for life” among other things. He asked “what payment amount are you comfortable with each month?” And received the answer “about $200 a month”. So the details were set at $211 per month for 60 months.
As they were preparing the paperwork, he asked if they would be interested in taking a new Saturn for a test drive. They said yes. During that drive, they dropped by their older sibling’s home. That sibling reviewed the loan paperwork. To their surprise, the wise sibling informed them that they had to purchase the car for what was owed, around $7,500, but all the “extras” the loan officer had added on to it made the total $12,500! What extras they exclaimed! They immediately returned to the dealership. When the loan officer was questioned, they were told, “well you said that you wanted your payment around $200 per month.” They walked out that day, purchased the car for $7,500 and never referred their family and friends to that dealership.
We were that young couple.
Our experience taught us 2 things:
1.) Be an educated buyer.
2.) If you are selling anything, listen to your clients wants and needs. Share all the information that you can to help them make the right decision for them, not what is most profitable for you. Your word is your worth.
We have carried these philosophies into the wedding world. When we meet with clients, we want to educate them about our industry. How prices are set, how we operate and what is in it for them. But we also listen to what each couple really wants and needs. We have tailored our packages to match a myraid of budgets. The larger the package, the more that is included. The best way to represent it is through a pyramid of products and services. Our base packages begin at the bottom and as you add additional cost, you receive additional stuff. Simple huh?
We won’t sell you what you don’t need. Our contracts are clear and concise. 
Doesn’t that just make sense? Businesses exist to find needs and fill those needs. Each couple that contacts us is unique and we will do our best to meet their needs, but if we find that we’re not the best fit for them, we are happy to refer that couple to someone we trust within the wedding community.
We would love to find out if we can help you as you plan your wedding. Simply give us a call (616-855-4079) or contact us through our website by clicking here.
Tiberius Images is a Grand Rapids wedding photographer that photographs people, places and events. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they serve clients throughout the world and are available for travel.
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