Taking a deposit for "FREE" services

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DavidWH

DavidWH

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Feb 15, 2011
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  • #1
    Just come across this on a website:

    All of our projects come with FREE DESIGN, We require a small deposit of £30 which is taken off the overall price of the project once the design stage has been completed
    Click to expand...

    So that isn't 'free' then is it?

    Of course we know that nothing is "free" and their design costs are incorporated into the final price, but taking a 'deposit' for a free service?

    I understand why they do it, and we try to do the same. Free tends to sell, but their time needs to be paid for.

    Interested in other peoples thoughts on this who aren't really in the same industry.
     
    UKSBD

    UKSBD

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    • Dec 30, 2005
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  • #4
    Why is it misleading?

    I read it as that you get a Free design when you pay for the project.

    A bit like, pay for 100 business cards and you get the design for free, I wouldn't expect to be able to get the free design without paying for the business cards.
     
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    DavidWH

    DavidWH

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    Feb 15, 2011
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  • #5
    I asked in the office, and the general consensus was "well it's not free then is it?"


    UKSBD said:
    A bit like, pay for 100 business cards and you get the design for free, I wouldn't expect to be able to get the free design without paying for the business cards.
    Click to expand...

    Which is fine, provided you pay for the project. It's easy for something like business cards, where 250 business cards costs the same, regardless of what you print on them.

    For example a sign, the price can vary hugely, from a small A4 1 colour sign on correx, to a double shop front with illuminated built up letters.

    Darren_Ssc said:
    I agree it is misleading. If you don't go ahead with the order you're not getting the £30 back are you?
    Click to expand...

    This is where to problem arises, people spend hours designing what the customer wants genuinely for free, and then the customer takes said design elsewhere to see who can actually produce it the cheapest.

    I get why they say it's free, and I get why they take a deposit.

    We don't advertise 'free design', but ask for a similar deposit before we start design work. Perhaps the 'free design' works, and so does the deposit?
     
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    UKSBD

    UKSBD

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  • #10
    It's a bit like

    You order a 3 x 1 sign of us with 30 characters it's £100

    This month only - you get the same 3 x 1 sign with up to 30 characters for £100 but we also style the font to your choosing and give it a bit of design for Free.

    You probably do that already but why not let them think they are getting something for free :)
     
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    DavidWH

    DavidWH

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    Feb 15, 2011
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  • #11
    [QUOTE="UKSBD, post: 2924477, member: 5275"why not let them think they are getting something for free[/QUOTE]

    Because 'free' devalues what we do. It's saying we don't value our time, our skill and knowledge and that really anyone can do what we do.

    Ask a few design agencies, or graphic designers what they charge. There are some who will charge £20 to make a single amendment, £50+ an hour. :eek:
     
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    UKSBD

    UKSBD

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    • Dec 30, 2005
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  • #14
    If I had choice between;

    100 business cards in a default colour and font.

    100 Business cards where I could choose my font and colour for FREE.

    I know what I would go for

    Likewise, if I was having a van sign written and one company offered to do a free mock up 1st I think I would be swayed towards them.

    How you then word the terms of the free mock up is another thing.
    ie. they only get a free mock-up after signing the contract.
     
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