Ethics of Cancelling a Job for a Better Rate?

[C. Jagan Mohan]

When we book a camera we pay some advance and make some paperwork. That generally binds both. I don't think that's a rental Company. It must be an individual renting agent.

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm glad that I wasn't taking crazy pills on this one. I was worried that it might be just one of those "Tough, that's the way things are" type of situations. I'm very happy this is not the case.

To clarify, it wasn't a rental company, it was a private owner. We have already spoken with a few friends and will find a much better rental channel for our next shoot in the fall. That's what I love about the Red community- for every "bad egg," there's a dozen more people who are honest, helpful, and supportive.

Here's some other funny tidbits...

This is the third rental from this person. It's the first time that all his batteries were actually charged when I opened the kit on set. Upon returning the gear, he didn't even open the cases to look inside. Just stacked them up and said thanks. (He probably wont open them until the day before his next rental). It's amazing how someone can be so careless with such a delicate set of specialized gear.

Anyway, thanks for your responses. I think this topic can go to bed. Hopefully I will only have to rent cameras on a limited basis going forward, as I'm excitedly awaiting Epic.


:closed2ur0:

 

[Tim Duran]

Sounds bad to me, but before we rush to judgement, how long had you had his camera v. the original term? If you had a two week agreement and you're now pushing five, then maybe he has a point (but not on no notice). Were you current on payments? The way it sounds, you owed him money. What was your deal? Did you agree to pay him weekly and after four months you still owe him money?

Coming from the rental end, how many people agree to rent your camera and then either a) rent someone else's b) don't show or c) ask for a lower rate? Are these guys scum bags too?

I don't need to know the answers. I'm only pointing out to all of you is things are not always as them seem.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Sounds bad to me, but before we rush to judgement, how long had you had his camera v. the original term? If you had a two week agreement and you're now pushing five, then maybe he has a point (but not on no notice). Were you current on payments? The way it sounds, you owed him money. What was your deal? Did you agree to pay him weekly and after four months you still owe him money?

The rental term was for 2-days. The guy started complaining the day before the camera was delivered for the shoot.

Coming from the rental end, how many people agree to rent your camera and then either a) rent someone else's b) don't show or c) ask for a lower rate? Are these guys scum bags too?

A & B - Yes, scum bags. That is why you charge a deposit when someone books a rental. If someone books a rental with me, it's not official until I get my deposit. If they don't cancel at least 48 hours before, and in many cases at least 72 hours for large packages, they don't get their deposit back. It's a necessary evil, but the deposit keeps most of the real flakey people away. Otherwise you have the jackass "producers" who call around and reserve gear at multiple places and then they back-pedal and try to negotiate lower rates, don't follow through with their reservations, etc..

C - Everyone asks for a lower rate. But when someone tries to pull the "so and so across town will rent it for XXX cheaper". My usual response is, "That's great, go rent from them!".