Commitment story: Client should have "skin in the game"

Commitment story: Client should have "skin in the game"

Just last week, my Mom requested me to reserve her train tickets, providing the dates of her departure and return verbally. However, I asked her to send me the details via WhatsApp (as depicted in the image) 

Why did I insist on this? In the previous instances, she has changed the dates after verbally confirming them due to change in thoughts and since the cost of cancelling railway reservation is quite low. But when she writes and sends the dates, she takes time to think and plan, thereby committing more to the written dates and reducing the likelihood of cancellation. 

Similarly, a few days ago, an acquaintance from Germany wanted a set of books (a 25kg parcel) from India. She provided her address and asked us to find the best courier option, and timing of the courier. After a while, to avoid further back and forth, I gave her an approximate courier cost of Rs 5,000 (and books were also of Rs 5,000), informing her the final courier prices were on the way and asking if she could deposit an advance amount. 

The moment I asked for an advance, she decided it would be better to buy the books herself and carry them. This decision was made because when she had to send an advance, she had to commit, which sped up her decision making process and saved my time. 

In the same way, try to find what can encourage the other party to be more invested or have "skin in the game" early, instead of yu doing all the work and wasting your energy and efforts