Vendor messed up on contract- Do I tell them?

**lizzardb63** · 01-24-2012 09:16 AM

I received my signed contract from my photographer that I just have to sign and send back. I signed it and was getting the envelope ready and thought I'd just double check it to make sure I had everything filled out right and noticed there was a price discrepancy. It states the package that we chose "Package 3: To Have and to Hold" but then has the price next to it of the lesser package ($3,200 vs $2,300)... it's signed so TECHNICALLY they are bonded to it, but I just want some opinions. And be COMPLETELY HONEST...what would you do? Send it the way it is and see if they notice, or call and let them know? On one hand it's their fault because they should have been more careful and it would be awesome to save some money, but on the other hand...it's not morally right to "pretend" you didn't notice when you did. Opinions? And please don't say I am a bad person for a part of me not wanting to tell them. I am a good person, I am just curious as to what others would do. I've got both answers from people I work with and am friends with so its just confusing me.

**Little** · 01-24-2012 09:30 AM

Don't discount the possibility that they quoted you the wrong price in the first place.
Personally, I'd feel guilty if I didn't say anything (and afraid that the mistake would lead to an embarrassing confrontation later.) Mostly due to the latter, I'd probably speak up.

**Butterflyy** · 01-24-2012 09:47 AM

To be honest I probably wouldn't say anything, even though I would feel a little guilty about it. Here's my reasoning: it is their fault that they made a mistake so they should have to pay for their mistake just like anyone else would have to (only in this case, literally). And if it does lead to some confrontation later you could just apologize for the misunderstanding and pay the full price that you were expecting to pay anyway (which is probably what I would do just so no one gets too upset), or you could argue that it is signed and legal and they shouldn't change what they already agreed to (which is probably what I would be wishing I was doing while I was handing over the rest of the money lol). There is the slight chance that if you speak up they will be grateful and give you the discount anyway, but since it's something so expensive I would doubt that and would rather take the chance that they don't notice instead. And if I did speak up and end up paying full price I would probably find myself later on wishing I had that extra money and thinking to myself "why didn't I just not say anything" lol but I would still feel a bit guilty not saying anything but I would get over it haha not to sound like a greedy person or anything lol

**lizzardb63** · 01-24-2012 10:05 AM

Butterflyy, that's exactly the same scenario that's been running through my head. My fiance owns a landscaping business and he said if they misquoted someone (which they have in the past), it's only fair to own up to your mistake, so he's completely about just sending it in, just because he's been on the other end (even though it sucks when it happens). He also said if we send it in and they DO say something about it, he'd talk to them about it and if we end up paying full-price then we do. I just am wondering what other's would do. Thanks!

**Aeryn Sun** · 01-24-2012 11:37 AM

I would just be worried they think you want the smaller package.

What if you get your photos back and they are like,
O! We thought you saw that you paid for the 2300 package, so we only showed up for 1 hour, and only took 30 photos instead of doing 2 hours and taking 60photos for 3300. oops.

ps, this is moot, but $3300 for wedding photos is OUTRAGEOUS. Granted, it is one of those things that you want done right, but $3300 is so.much.money!

**lizzardb63** · 01-24-2012 11:45 AM

The only difference between the two packages is the larger package has a little bigger photo album (like 10 extra pages) and a framed photo, otherwise everything else is identical.

Shockingly...$3200 is not that expensive around here. There are some who expect $6,000+. I also knew I shouldn't have said the real price because everyone is so critical what things cost.

**KMonte85** · 01-24-2012 12:33 PM

follow your moral compass, lizz. If it were me, I would say something to the photog because I don't want to screw someone out of what is ultimately their salary because I didn't feel like paying for the full price of the service (which I already knew about prior to the contract).

Not to mention, you don't want any sour feelings between your wedding photog and you.. if they find out about the error prior to October, and have even the slightest thought that you knew about it and were trying to pull one over on them, well, I wouldn't expect your pictures to turn out so great. Photographers take beautiful pictures when they are inspired. And nothing is quite as stifling to one's creativity as ill-feelings of being screwed over.

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 01-24-2012 12:58 PM

$3000 - $2000 you are hiring a professional to hopefully ensure he captures the best day of your lives. That is what a wedding is all about, saving your money and spending it on the day

In Australia, the photographer gets commisson based on what package he/she sells.... If you don't say something it will eat at you on the day, "which package are you really getting?", as well as looking at him/her and thinking oh dear lord

Consider that...

I would photocopy the agreement before sending it.

I would imagine they will see the "amount" and give you the lesser package, once received, you noticed it so will they and tell myself that I just saved myself some money because, you can go anywhere and blow up a photo "from a photo" as well as buying a frame....

If it's the goods that makes it more expensive , send the extras back...

And, right now, start enquiring where you can blow up those photos... In preperation.

**Claret** · 01-24-2012 01:37 PM

If you sign, and if you have acknowledged (to anybody - even on these forums) that the price was wrong and you knowingly signed it you are intentionally defrauding the vendor. I do believe a legal case could then be made against you. I'd be really careful about doing this and if the smaller package is what made you happy and the price was right for that package then acknlowedge the mistake, tell them about it and feel right within yourself. Who knows? They may throw in some extras for your honesty.

**jns** · 01-24-2012 08:38 PM

There are two issues here, morals and contracts. The law is about contracts, not about morals. Morals are what make you you. I would make sure that they are offering you the package stated for the price stated. If they made a mistake, let them correct it but see if they will throw in some extras or give you a discount off of the regular price. It doesn't hurt asking.

I was just at the store tonight and bought 4 cases of water on sale and 2 - 24 roll packs of toilet paper also on sale. The checker accidentally charged me for only one of the 24 roll packs. After I studied the bill, I brought it to her attention and then proceeded to pay for what was not charged. Internally you have to tell what is right and not just go for what gives you the most advantage.