2013Legal / Business Practices forum
Strategies for offering discounted rates to non-profit and low-budget productions
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Discounting equipment rental rates while maintaining full labor rates protects against overtime costs if production runs longer than expected.
- A tax accountant can advise on potential tax write-offs for discounted or donated equipment to non-profits, depending on local tax laws.
- Providing detailed invoices showing full costs and applied discounts helps clients understand the value received and prevents expectations of the same low rate on future projects.
- Offering discounts on future projects in exchange for full payment on current work can be difficult to enforce, as clients may not return for the promised discount.
- Establishing and maintaining your standard rate prevents being labeled as a low-cost option, which affects how other professionals perceive your work and your ability to negotiate future rates.
- Setting boundaries around discounted work becomes easier once you can afford to decline low-budget jobs, giving you more control over which projects you accept.
Depends on
- The discussion reflects varied personal practices rather than industry-wide standards.
- Tax implications vary by jurisdiction and require consultation with local accountants.
- No data provided on actual discount percentages or scenarios where discounting proved beneficial long-term.
- The effectiveness of requiring full payment upfront for future discount promises depends on client reliability and follow-through.