Should I leave it be or call again?

[Kimberly Dow]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Tom, Joan and Chris -

This has certainly been a learning experience! I guess I will send the b.c. with a note. That sounds low key and not irritating to anyone. The price increase idea will have to be for next year sometime at the earliest.

I appreciate your help and experience in these matters.

[Tom Edgerton]

Chris has made a vital point. We expend a lot of energy trying to bring home these "soft" commissions--putting way too much time and energy into keeping them alive--when, believe me, you do not want to go through painting a portrait for a person who had no real interest in the project to begin with. They will invariably be your most critical, least available, and most fractious clients. They will make you hate the work, and will never do anything afterward to advance your career through positive referrals etc.

Better most always to just walk away and concentrate on making the genuinely interested parties happy. These clients are where the real gold lies.

Best--TE