Probably not, but could he have wanted it done in FCP so that he could have the equivalent of the VEG file?

Kinda like a person wanting negatives of photos?

Just a thought.

I got an e-mail from a prospective client asking that we transfer and edit a stack of 30+ VHS tapes to DVD for a very rich, prominent family here in Miami.
=========
Prospective client? Are they looking for bids on the job?

Did they name the prominent family?

How sure are you that they are telling you the whole truth?

Something from this story doesn't add up none the least of which is the requirement that it be done on FCP, yet they are a "prominent family".

Solution: Pump them full of questions and if something doesn't sound right turn them down.

John

I think i would take the position of something like farss. Tell them you can do it on FCP but it would be 4 times the cost of doing it in Vegas. If they take the deal, you could buy an apple and FCP for the job. If they don't take the deal then no loss.

Perhaps it was a competitor trying to get a feel for pricing and they happen to use FCP?

that could be true. and if you don't use FCP they say "the other guy uses cheap equipment. Do YOU want to trust your work to a cheap person?"

Some use chalk, some use oils and some use ink and I doubt anyone told Van Gogh to use a #2 pencil

"I got an e-mail from a prospective client asking that we transfer and edit a stack of 30+ VHS tapes to DVD for a very rich, prominent family here in Miami."

I think the key here is that the prospective client isnt the rich prominent family in Miami it is someone trying to do a favor or make some money off the rich prominent family in Miami. So you could be constrained by this go-between. And he probably didnt have the guts to go back and ask why it had to be FCP. It makes your job nearly impossible. How can you manage their expectations? The fact that you never heard from them again is proof that this guy has no idea what he is doing and is too afraid to do anything that wasnt specifically called for by the rich family. So, he doesnt care what is better or worse just wants to get them what they asked for. The rich always have stooges around them that carry out their ridiculous whims without questioning.

Obviously this has been annoying. But isn't the lesson that one needs to be ready with a pitch about how you provide results superior in quality / quickly / economically. A carpenter would be unlikely to answer a question about the make of hammer or saw he would use, but would instead ask about the job to be done. He'd then discuss materials, costs and timescale and perhaps show examples of his work. As an editor you could use FCP for the job, but you explain the benefits of using another NLE (where you don't necessarily mention that you don't have FCP). It's a competitive world; the client defines the requirement but shouldn't be allowed to get lost amongst technical side issues. If technical issues are important in determining outcome, it's our job to make sure the client understands the issues and options involved (but only if it affects costs or time or ability to deliver). Demonstrating expertise greatly boosts the confidence of clients. As we all know when we need to buy something ourselves.

Serena and Farss have sum it well, have a thought out business response, with options. Business inquires should be handled in the best possible matter. That "jerk" could lead to a good business contact, tho the odds are 1000 to 1.

Nah,
just tell the numbskulls all your edit systems have a Flux CaPacitor :)

Most of my clients don't understand the technical issues and couldn't care less, however a few like to come across as if they are the experts based on what some other "expert" may have told them.
Serena makes some very good points.

I've found that one of the keys to making a sale is to anticpate objections and to be prepared in overcoming them on the spot. Asking questions is crucial in learning why the client wants what they think they want, or don't want .

The next time somebody stipulates FCP or nothing, or makes an equally puzzling demand, I'I'll bet you'll be ready for them with the appropriate questions and make the sale.

Might you call this person back and ask why his client stipulated FCP (nothing to lose)? I'm sure you, and we in the forum, are curious to asto what the response would be - C'mon - we're all waiting......:-)

For many years this had not come up as an issue for me - none of my clients had any idea what I used to weave my magic - they just judged the results.

However - on a recent project, there was a large crew assembled, and I was the "editor", and wore an ID badge during the shoot saying this.

During that shoot, several hired "pros" - writers, producers, co-producers, assistant directors etc, etc, came up to me and asked me what I was going to edit on, but the thing I noticed was, it was never an open question like "What are you going to edit on?"

It was "What are you going to edit on - Avid?"
or "What are you going to edit on - Final Cut Pro?"

In other words - they already had an agenda.

As did I.

So to each of their enquiries I, slightly mischievously, said something like - No, I don't want to compromise, I'm using Sony Vegas.

I'll leave you to imagine the different looks that got - but the greatest thing was the actual Director, to his great credit - when he heard I used Vegas, came round to my place, where I showed him Vegas, and he asked several questions - things like Colour Correction, where I was able to show him several tools - not just tell him, but SHOW him what Vegas could do, he said "Fine".

And he was right - Vegas is fine.