Prices to leagues for baseball photos

[whaussies]

I was wondering what some of you give back to the leagues for baseball/softball team photos?

Our company recently put in a bid locally and was told that we lost due to the fact we didn't give enough back. The one that won gave $4 per player not per order, per play in the league, which is about 400 kids. They are only doing team/individual photos. We offered 5% of all sales which would include team/individual, action and tournament sales. So did we under bid it too much? I was kinda shocked at the other give them $1600 up front and not knowing how many orders there would be?

So what do others do?

Thanks!

Heidi

[3n-Out]

$4.00 buck per kid not knowing what your sales volume would be is crazy. I think you did the right thing offering a percentage of your sales in this case. That way you only give back what you get. Only makes good business sense.

Although I never have done anything like this before I would say you did the right thing.

[a2rob]

Happens all the time in small and even large communities.
outfits will make outrages promises such as this.
I found myself in an similar situation a couple of years ago.
The individual that outbid me, took all 52 teams on the same day,
had the whole family taking pictures including a young son.
Besides having al teams there at one time, parents were really
upset when the pictures arrived. He printed them all on an crappy HP printer.

Just stick with your plan and work will come to you.

[whaussies]

Thanks guys! My other thing is we have proven we can produce the pictures and this other place has not. So it bothered me also. But... that is more ego then business talking.

We are requesting to be the action photographer because these people do not do that. They are in a town an hour away also. We live here and have kids in the leagues.... sigh.....

[CincoJoe]

I have often thought about shooting team photos for various sports only because I have so many parents asking me too. I decided against it becasue of all the politics involved. I would rather not have to deal with the league and team moms. It's bad enough when your kid just plays. No thanks.....

[Roy]

I tried that last year and when they told me what the last place paid UPFRONT (and they had problems with that place too), I just left the place never to return. No way I can promise that kind of money upfront before I even snap one photo much less what will actually sell. Left a bad taste in my mouth so I just moved on to more reasonable venues.