I got a call yesterday about a VHS transfer.

The potential client wanted a transfer of a "movie I just produced on VHS tape". He wanted it transferred to digital. He said he had tried to do it himself with a Elgato transfer device but that the copy came out all "digital and blocky". He said he needed the highest possible copy quality and wondered if we could do it. I said I could "try" and do a five minute test for free. So he said he wanted to "come right over" to which to told him that we already with a client that we could do this tomorrow.

He then asked how much we charge and I told him. He then asks if we could do it cheaper if he gave us a "lot more work". I told him that "yes we could do that but it is based on how much work we get from him" and it would have no bearing on this job.

He said he would call back - which he never did.

The price I quoted him was very low for what he was asking for. A couple of "things" seemed out of place. First why do a "movie" on a VHS recorder to begin with. Then ask for the "highest possible transfer" when the source material is not going to be good. Thirdly why try and get the work done for a cheaper price by asking if we give discounts for "quantity" work since this was a one off.

My intern started laughing when he heard what the client wanted. I guess inside I was laughing as well. Where do people get their ideas?

Oh well no harm done and I doubt this client will ever call back.

I actually dumpstered my VHS decks before I moved 6 years ago. I stopped doing any video tape, audio tape, DVD/Blueray/CD digital. Those clients were always the most trouble, had the highest expectations, and wanted to pay a rate from the Triassic period. Glad I don't have to deal with that stuff anymore.

I applaud your decision. I still do this for a few people but am considering getting out of it completely as well.

Too many "I need the highest quality but cannot afford to do it for what you are asking".

Why people cannot understand that the price is based on the equipment and the experience I have and when you say you want the highest quality then ask me to do it for nothing then you are devaluing my skills...

And here I thought me charging $10 to pop their VHS into my JVC VHS/DVDr combo unit I bought at KMart a long time ago was a lot HAHA. $20 if I had to watch the video.

a lot of people think I should only get £10 an hour for 25+ years experience, this is below minimum wage, I can't believe people have the cheek to tell me this, it's always the least respectful people, the same guy was bragging about how his wife makes £200 + in just 10 minutes for 'sleep counciling' this is a profession where you don't even need qualifications, I almost punched him when we last met up face to face, a lot of people have become like this towards audio professionals and musicians, especially in the last 10 years.

I have had people come to my studio and tell me "Gee it must be nice to have all this equipment for your hobby". Or "what do you do with all this equipment when you a playing with things" Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

The people who really know and appreciate what I can do are never a problem. It is the people who don't understand what they are asking for and think that anything over $25.00 is "outrageous"...