How long to wait for an answer from classified poster?

I've been trying to get a few photographers to capture photos of my new area. I dropped IMs on a few classified posters then switched to notecards for the second and third batches. Out of twelve classifieds I received responses from four, one of them not interested. Two already delivered on my request as you can see here:

http://slmainland.com/category/regions/photo-shoots/

Some of those not responding paid the most for their classifieds. How long should I reasonably wait before trying them again or giving up? If the person accepts the notecard shouldn't I at least expect a reply one way or the other? Do people place classifieds just for fun? I know I can't always expect responses within 24 hours, but five days gets one a-thinkin'...

I wouldn't wait more than 24 hours myself. And if you are there and they accept a notecard a response with-in a few min would be expected. If someone posts a classified that should mean they are wanting business. If they are not responding they are wasting your time as well as their own. I respond to all my offlines, Notecard etc with-in no more than 24 hours. Normally it's the same day maybe an hour or so..

Five days I'd generally give up. People do get busy or not notice a notecard but you gave them a chance to respond.

Why not do them yourself? How hard is it to point and click.Why pay money for an easy job?

If you check the site you'll see mine. They're fine. What I wanted was an artist's eye, what would they pick given a limited number of shots, how would they use post-processing if they chose to or place models. Plus, just as my areas are built exclusively with items from creators that anyone could buy, I like to promote in-world business.

Yeah, I think five days is pretty bad. And now we're on to six...

I didn`t get a chance to look at exactly what you`re doing but Ryker Beck and her partner take really great photos. You might want to give her a go.

Could not find her flickr but here is her partners page

http://www.flickr.com/photos/damonisha/

You'll probably have to contact Ryker inworld, if she's even still doing photography. I was looking at her Flickr photostream only a day or so ago (she had some great new stuff there) but now I only get the "no longer active on Flickr" message

In case she re-activates, her photostream was here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rykerbeck/

I would not wait longer than 24 hours for a reply from any business owner, not counting weekends.
Whoever runs any kind of business should sort of keep to the "office hours"... and with a 24 hours grace time, or rather "until the samne hour on the next business day", you should eb able to catch them. if you don't, they are not serious about the business.

Sometimes these same people dont have tons of people working for them and things happen, I wait 2 workdays and generally on the weekends I will wait until monday..

Some people do not sign on everyday! So at least give them a couple days...

Keep in mind holidays and weekends. Sometimes, I'm not on during the weekends/holidays due to family obligations. So, I'd say 24 hours OR next business day.

Thanks everyone, it seems I made a critical mistake: I waited for the weekend. I had guessed people were more available then so sending IMs/Notecards on a Friday seemed like the best time. I guess I will try again on a Monday.

Thanks for the tip about Ryker Beck, she responded to my Notecard and then IM right away and yes, she is still working!

She is awesome

I prefer to make a precise definition of what I want - especially if i pay for it.

So just tell them to respond within 5 calender days if interested and that's it.

And for the fun of it - send me a notecard/LM of the place in question - if it is a nice one it may get an entry in SL Guided Tours index. And sometimes I forward my photos to the owners ...

Wol,
SL Guided Tours