I have this client that has been recently been getting on my nerves, and I would like some other people's opinion in this case. I'm sure all of you that does website work has come across people that want a website for $20.
Anyway...this guy paid me less than $100 to install two php scripts, and fix two that were not functioning correctly. When I completed that he then came back and said that I need to integrate those two scripts that installed with the rest of his site. Now, he has a dating site, and he wanted this mp3 & flashcard script to appear in all his user's profiles, and integrate it into his CP and all that good stuff.
That's where I say "hold up, that's not part of the original agreement", and then he claims that I should have known that. Then he starts emailing in all caps thing thinking it catches my attention or something. His emails are also very annoying to read as it is because he doesn't use a single period or capital letter (besides the caps lock), so here are the questions.
1. How do you handle people that try to change the terms and get you to do way more than originally agreed?
2. How do you handle emails that are poorly written? Do you comment on it at all?
3. How do you deal with rants in all CAPS and whining clients that think they deserve an eBay clone on a silver platter for $5?
Thanks for your input!
Hey! It compiles! Ship it!
surgematrix posted this at 01:11—14th April 2007.
They have: 34 posts
Joined: Dec 2005
1.How do you handle people that try to change the terms and get you to do way more than originally agreed?
Refer him back to your term of service. If you did not do a written agreement, then let him know you are willing to do more work for few more $$$. Small piece of advice; always have a written agreement for your clients to either sign or initial.
2. How do you handle emails that are poorly written? Do you comment on it at all? Sorry, I cannot think of anyway to handle those type of emails. You might just try to neglect the grammatical part of it and see what you can understand from it.
3. How do you deal with rants in all CAPS and whining clients that think they deserve an eBay clone on a silver platter for $5?
Next time, get a wriiten agreement via email or so and have him understand the terms of service outlining what is included and what is not.
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pr0gr4mm3r posted this at 01:30—14th April 2007.
He has: 542 posts
Joined: Sep 2006
We had an agreement through email. He said he would pay me to install the scripts for him, and I agreed. I guess our definitions of "install" are different.
Hey! It compiles! Ship it!
teammatt3 posted this at 02:05—14th April 2007.
He has: 1,831 posts
Joined: Sep 2003
It sucks pr0g. If it really isn't much more work, just do it, and never work with that dude again. I'd rather have a satisfied client than a few more bucks in my pocket. You never know what kind of crazy stuff a mad client will do (posting "pr0gr4mm3r sucks, don't use him" all over craigslist comes to mind). If it is a lot of work, I don't know what to do. Tough cookies.
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thinksuccess posted this at 00:35—5th June 2007.
They have: 19 posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Yes that is a tough one. Always Always Always have a written and signed contract. There are too many interpretations of what the job is and if the client can take advantage of you they usually will. Don't be Mr. Nice Guy! Cover yourself.
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demonhale posted this at 03:48—5th June 2007.
He has: 3,195 posts
Joined: May 2005
Next time simply summarize the deal in full-detail with the price on your final e-mail... then if he says agreed, that could be considered a contract... so you can limit the amount of work per charge... I experienced one myself, I tried to be friends with the Kid and helped him with his site and a lot more, but he seems to make me do all the work for him and telling me that I delayed their groups plan for promising them I'd help them with their project, they are 26 year old kids mind you... I just ignored them and they start bothering me with emails and IM, that's where the lawyer comes in...