What to do with this non-client??

[piscis]

I am a photographer and I photograph mostly events. Most of my work is at weekends and for obvious reasons if someone wants to book my services the most important thing is the date, to check I am available first and once I know I am free then I can commit to a job, which is secured by paying a deposit.

I got an email a few days back from someone interested in hiring me for an event, they are not sure about the date yet, just a Sunday in November and they want to make the full payment for it. I tell him that I need to know the date, otherwise I cannot secure the booking (obviously!!!). Emails back and forth, I tell him a few times we cannot take things forward if he doesn't give me a date as it may clash with other jobs. His last email : "The venue have booked and i want you to get this job done ✅ for me". I am fuming...don't want to work for somebody sooooo unreasonable, no matter the date. Have you ever had someone like that and what to do? I was going to reply "A venue wouldn't book anything without a date and me neither, sorry not available" and then block, or just ignore, not reply and also block? Or blocking is too extreme. I want to be professional but it pisses me off that someone expects me to be available for a whole month for them!!

[AvoidingDM]

I'd be tempted to ask what date have you booked the venue?

[TheHodgeoftheHedge]

That's so frustrating and annoying. I would probably just say "I am now fully booked for November. Good luck with your event".

[AvoidingDM]

Or tell him what dates you are available and rate to secure all free dates is £££££

[TeeBee]

I would reply 'And I would like to do it for you, but without a date, I cannot tell you whether I am available to do it or not. I have other bookings in November which I am already committed to. If your proposed date clashes with one of those events, clearly I cannot commit to doing this for you. If and when you secure a date, please do let me know and I will check whether I still have availability. I look forward to hearing from you.' Then if he gets back, say 'sorry, I am now booked on that date'.

[MayFayner]

I would just email back and say

Thank you. Once you have determined the date you require I can confirm your booking, subject to availability.
I look forward to hearing from you
Blah blah

[JustGettingStarted]

If you don't want to do business with this person, then say "sorry I'm all booked up" and then block.

If you want the job, then one of the above suggestions will do.

[piscis]

I'd be tempted to ask what date have you booked the venue?

He says he has booked the venue with an open date

TeeBee I have done that already, that's why it frustrates me so much and pisses me off that his last message is "The venue have booked and i want you to get this job done ✅ for me"

[piscis]

I do not want to have anything to do with this person at all.
I'd rather starve or sell my body than having to work for someone like that LOL
Only wondering if I should send a final email and the tone of it, as my first reaction was WTAF!!!

[piscis]

The only thing is that by saying "Sorry I'm all booked up" he will know I am lying and want to get rid of him, as when he said the first time he email me that the date was in November but not sure yet, I said I had some availability but would depend on date/time. But he knows I have some.

[cheesefield]

Imagine what a pita he's going to be to actually work with. Nope.

Tell him you are unavailable.

If he asks what dates you are unavailable reply "Whatever date you have booked the venue for"

[piscis]

If he asks what dates you are unavailable reply "Whatever date you have booked the venue for"

[Verbena87]

‘As previously discussed, I only book once clients are able to give me a date. As you are unable to do this, I am unable to book your event, so will now be filling my remaining available weekends in November. Good luck with your event.’

[zucchinicourgette]

He sounds like a time waster. I’d just send one more email, make it brief and polite but firmly say you are no longer available for the job.

[SD1978]

Without confirmation of date and time, Worthing the next 48hours I will be unable to move forward with this booking. If this can not be provided, then I will no longer be available. I look forward to hearing from you, or wish you every success with your event. You dick.