[Ed_L]

I agree that it is not in your best interst to offer the proof. There will always be people who will find something wrong, even if you worked 100 hours on the restore. But if you give them the finished product, those same people might be thrilled with the results. If you do decide to offer proofs, you could put lines throughout the pic (on a seperate layer so you can easily remove them) that wouldn't be easily removed with software after the pic was scanned. Variations in color and opacity, as well as edges that are not well defined would help in making removal unlikely. The lines should intrude on important areas like the eyes, etc. After saying that, I still think it's in your best interest not to offer the client a potential problem for yourself. And yes, you can still compete.

Ed

[chrishoggy]

I work it this way. I agree with the customer what they want and expect from me, and then give them a price based on that. I don't offer proofs, as that gives the impression that you didn't understand what they asked for. It also stops them saying "While you are at it, can you also do this, that and the other as well". Because when you say yes but it will cost, they get all upset and fussy about the work you have done. I work in a few simple steps
1/ Ask what they want and expect as the finished work.
2/ Do the work and inform them the image is finished.
3/ Get payment for the work.
4/ Send the image, and hope they like it.
5/ If they see something that was missed or something that was done without them being informed, I fix it ASAP for free.
6/ If they see something that wasn't agreed upon at the beginning, they either pay to get it done at a reduced rate, or live with it.

It may sound a bit blunt, but if you give a customer too many options, they will have you tied in knots trying to make them 100% happy

[twinkissed]

Hmmmm I may have to consider that route more. So far I have done this:

Receive the photo and give estimate
They approve estimate and place order.
I send a side by side proof with proof written on it and at a lower resolution.
Once approved I then send the final copy.
I save documented approval.

I guess that's why I've done the whole proof thing. I thought if I send the final and then they "say" they don't like it and they don't want to pay it would just be a big headache. My current situation makes it to where I can't have any chance of non-payment. That's my biggest concern is if they have that photo... they could love it but say otherwise to get a freebie, discount, etc.

On the other hand, another great thing about not sending a proof is eliminating the wait for them to get back to you. I had one lady take FOREVER to just come back and say "oh yes it's great send the final" and I like having the deal completed as soon as possible so I can have full attention on my new orders.

I could still offer them on my returning customers since they are used to it but take it off of my site I guess. I'll be pondering this a while probably. Thanks for all of the advice though. This subject is actually a pretty good part of my job related stress if you know what I mean.

[emarts]

I only provide a proof for color correction. And I charge for it. The price depends on what the proof is. For example, a matchprint is much more expensive than a digital print. Usually though at that point the image is part of an overall page-layout design and that will go for proofs. The cost of that is usually part of the layout charges.

But for a photo alone, there's no proof outside of seeing it on screen on my website. No charge for that.