62
votes
Dealing with "friend" who won't pay after delivery despite signed contracts
Is this a script from a soap opera?
There's far too much discussion taking place.
Business is business and not friendship. Ignore anything not directly related to the business. All the back and ...
- 17.3k
42
votes
How should I respond to requests to work "for exposure"?
This is one of the most prominent red flags which indicates a bad client, in my opinion.
It's really not that complicated.
Sorry, I do not work pro bono or without payment on request.
There's no ...
- 17.3k
28
votes
Accepted
How to respond to "Are your rates negotiable?"
I simply state, "Sorry. Pricing is set and rates are non-negotiable."
I haven't run into an instance where that offended anyone. I may not get the work but, if they won't pay my rates, I don't see ...
- 17.3k
23
votes
Judging sincerity of freelance job offers
What you are dealing with is known as a "Sales Pipeline." (Step through the Slideshow) And you are getting the steps out of order. That's what's causing your frustration.
As a tech person (like ...
- 470
21
votes
Dealing with "friend" who won't pay after delivery despite signed contracts
Your chain of emails is unprofessional, you fail yourself by dropping to your client's argumentative level. As well as this, instead of getting to the point you make jabs and petty points informally, ...
- 535
15
votes
How should I deal with a client who refuses to pay after receiving the finish product?
Yes, it is definitely unethical. You do have other options. You could:
Do nothing. Just take the loss and treat it as a learning experience. Next time you will know to never give the client the ...
- 379
15
votes
Accepted
Judging sincerity of freelance job offers
Wasting a day hoping for work to arrive if you have other work lined up is on you.
Don't start any work before you have a signed contract. If they sign a contract, the likelihood that they are ...
- 266
14
votes
Accepted
Dealing with an Irate Client that wants Free Work
It's easy: Stop falling for the guilt trip and simply do as any professional would do in similar case.
That is, say yes and show a price list at the same time. And stick to this.
If the client sill ...
- 858
13
votes
Judging sincerity of freelance job offers
it could be that he is just under time pressure and while the change in commitments is unfortunate, future opportunities may make up for it
This is your statement from above. This tells me that you'...
- 5,304
12
votes
Accepted
How to handle interpersonal relationships and expectations from client's marketing department
The easiest way to handle the short-notice work is to set up a Service Level Agreement (SLA). You can document how much notice the client must give, and how soon you will act, with financial ...
- 1,030
11
votes
Accepted
An employee from my current client needs to stay at my house, can I charge?
I would never allow this under any circumstance.
The guy can sleep in his car... or the bus/train station for all I care.
Even if I charged and he's willing to pay, invading my home is way over the ...
- 17.3k
11
votes
Should I work for free if client's requirement changed
Absolutely not! If you have agreed on terms, and delivered, then you should expect him to deliver on his part of the arrangement.
Having said that...
Did you give him status updates with the ...
- 6,833
10
votes
How should I deal with a client who refuses to pay after receiving the finish product?
Wait, if I understood:
you were hired to make a website
you did it and the client did not pay it
you have access to admin service hosting the website
If I understood it properly, than the content on ...
- 14.2k
10
votes
Monthly Fee vs. One-Time Payment for a Large Project with Difficult Client
Step 1 is to protect yourself with a clear scope of work. Write up a clear, concise scope of the work you are performing. Include not only the work being performed by also what is NOT being ...
- 201
10
votes
How to back out of a freelance project that has gotten too big?
she still owes me for the work I've done
How long has she owed you and how much? If she's past due on a payment, or owes you thousands, that could be enough reason to stop right there.
But should ...
- 1,660
10
votes
Accepted
What to do about negligent clients
I'd just be "busy" myself and be unavailable.
This kind of interaction is a harbinger to how quickly he'll pay and how important he'll see any requests on your part to complete any projects.
One ...
- 17.3k
9
votes
Client threatening legal action constantly
Life's too short..
You have 2 choices....
Invoice for the work you've completed. Wait until that invoice is paid. Then tell him you're done.
You'll package everything and prepare to deliver things ...
- 17.3k
9
votes
Accepted
Client wants manual for everything I do
Supply documentation for an additional fee. It's more work to track everything you do... you should be compensated for that work.
- 17.3k
9
votes
Accepted
What to do when a client cancels project 1 day before delivery?
First off, I'm sorry to hear of your endeavor and that you had to deal with a nightmare client like that. I think we've all been there at least twice. Now then, hindsight is 20/20, so let's be ...
9
votes
Accepted
How to effectively handle obsessive personal client calls during regular office hours
Bill him for the hours you spend on the phone. Those are consulting hours. No further work will proceed until the account is brought current. All future phone conversations will also be billed. I went ...
- 114
9
votes
How should I respond to requests to work "for exposure"?
It is really little that can be added to excellent @Scott's answer. I just wanted to add a simple tactic that helped me several times.
Due warning: I'm not aware about any academic research on this ...
- 2,004
9
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Sometimes the money is not worth it.
I offer discounted prices for well-behaved clients, and I overcharged the ones that are, well, no good people.
Here's how you've got to look at it, the client is ...
- 583
8
votes
How to respond to "Are your rates negotiable?"
Any combination of:
A) We can certainly set this up as a [fixed bid/hourly contract] instead if that makes it easier for you.
B) Projects with unique requirements will, of course, entail negotiation....
- 81
8
votes
How to find someone to handle customer/commercial relationships on my behalf? (I'm a programmer)
So much to address here... First off, NO. You don't need a PR person on full-time to help you. You need to deal with your own situation before you bring more people in. Freelancing should make you ...
- 6,833
7
votes
Accepted
Client non-responding on official email but talks only on skype
There is nothing wrong with explaining to a client that Skype (or phone calls) are not sufficient and you need to have written approval of something either via email, fax, or postal mail.
I would ...
- 17.3k
7
votes
Accepted
Should I debug application on customer server if it wasn't previously discussed as part of the job?
I would have to say that this is an opinion based question and there is no right or wrong answer. My answer is based on my desire to do the right thing for my clients.
I would say yes, but to a point....
- 605
7
votes
Including cost of materials in quote
I do not know what's standard for your particular business niché.
However, your "cost of materials" seems exceptionally out of line to me.
Charging for software, hardware, and training which you ...
- 17.3k
7
votes
Accepted
Rude and confusing client but possible important job
He said he wanted to talk about the website. We agreed to contact again the week after to fix a meeting date and hour.
This didn't exactly happen, did it? You drove across town, and back, to sit ...
- 5,304
7
votes
Client wants free and half-rate meetings
I think you know the answer to this, but may be a bit apprehensive about losing the client if you fail to attend these meetings. That's always a possibility.
It's your business. Your pricing and what ...
- 17.3k
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