“Hey, I can do better than that, why should I pay you?
‘Why should I pay you, when I know I could produce the same, just as well, if not even better than you?’”
Friends, do you ever have one of ‘those’ days where everyone seems to be the expert with an opinion?
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The following excerpt came via a recent conversation with Tracey Bloxham, Tracey is a highly reputable photographer and a friend of our Friday forum.
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I’d barely broken a sweat this Monday morning (what is it with Monday?) when this particular local wise-ass, know-it-all surfaced. He also happened to be a new client.
Let’s identify him as ‘the WAKA.’
I went ahead and offered ‘wise ass know it all’ use of my preferred tool of trade, the latest Nikon (very expensive) DSLR.
‘Please, take the camera, ideal for the interior portraits you called me in for. See if you think you can use this Mr WAKA.’
“Nah, far too complicated, besides I’m supposed to be in the picture.”
‘Take the camera, let’s see your skills.’
“No, don’t bother, photography is not my trade, besides that’s why I’m employing you.”
Correct.
You have asked me over to visit your home on a Saturday to take portraits of your family. You know I am qualified, I’ve had 20 years experience with plenty of recommendations.
“I haven’t the time to do the job myself, besides …’ began our friendly WAKA.
‘Yes, I know, you’re supposed to be in the photo …ok, so you book me here (I continued) to spend 4 hours of my time with the skills I’ve honed and developed over years in my professional industry, skills and time that you simply do not have …
I know I do ‘rant’ at times although our WAKA needed to know this so I went on…
You see, when we engage or pay for professional services, we’re not simply buying the product. We buy the person who is celebrated for what they do. We buy solutions. Someone with the skills and craftsmanship that we don’t necessarily have or which we are unable to use efficiently ourselves.
Beware the WAKA folks, they could cost you your sanity at the very least …
CharlieKenny.me 