Should I trust this person?

[pcgpcg]

I have received a request from an individual who wants to purchase a high resolution digital file for a one-time printing of a large photo for his home. [red flag pops up for me] He claims to be a graphics designer from Russia with access to a large format printer that can print larger than I can. I have sold digital rights to magazines, but never an individual. I am somewhat ashamed to say that my first reaction is not to trust this person because I do not know him and my fear is that he will use it commercially where he is out of reach of U.S. copyright law.

Has anyone ever had a similar experience and what did you do?

I want to trust this person. If I decide to do so, what is a reasonable fee for the rights to make one print from a file?

[dgberg]

Paul,
No file, ever.
I would sell him just the print if he wants it bad enough.
If he buys it he could still take a hi res digital image and print a hundred to sell.
If that worries you then don't sell it.
I give/sell files files to no one!

[Colorado David]

. . . Has anyone ever had a similar experience and what did you do? . . .

I had a similar experience and fear and common sense took over and I stopped responding. I had a request from a guy who had seen one of my photos in American Hunter Magazine and wanted to make a large print for his home. I got to deal with him directly after he balked at the price of a print through the agency. They sent him to me directly. He had too many requirements and asked questions that gave away his real motives. I agree with Dan Berg. Never.

[framah]

As soon as I saw the word "Russia" I am assuming it is a scam!  Pretty much assume that anything from Russia or any of the eastern block countries are a scam.

[scyth]

I have received a request from an individual who wants to purchase a high resolution digital file for a one-time printing of a large photo for his home.

out of curiosity - can you post a small version of the said image, with whatever watermarks, here ?

[Rob C]

1. Never employ a lawyer unless it's a matter of life and death.

2. Send an invoice and make no offers; making offers just cheapens you and creates the impression that photography is rubbish for the picking. The likelihood of you making money at a future date off anyone stooping to nick an image is self-deception, though yep, some pigs have been seen to fly.

3. If the invoice gets you nowhere, forget the whole thing and make a nice cup of tea; you'll see: make you feel much better.

Rob

[pcgpcg]

OK, I've been swayed and will say no. By nature I don't like to mistrust people without sound evidence for doing so, and I'm still not sure what I have to lose as I'm not sure any misuse by this person would ever take away any legitimate sales I might make anyway, but... the above comments have convinced me to be a hard-nosed skeptic. Doesn't feel good, but it seems like the right decision. Thanks for everyone's input.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

As soon as I saw the word "Russia" I am assuming it is a scam!  Pretty much assume that anything from Russia or any of the eastern block countries are a scam.

That generalization is way over the top. I spent eight years working there (in Russia) and yes, a lot of scams might originate there, but I also met a huge number of wonderful and honest people. And today some of them have enough resources to purchase art they like. Having said that, it is entirely possible that the OP case is a scam after all.