Comments on: Eight things I learned from getting screwed over by clients

By: Mokokoma Mokhonoana - http://mokokoma.co.za

Mokokoma Mokhonoana - http://mokokoma.co.za — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:48:33 +0000

It’s so easy for one to do a project without any contractual agreement, especially on the ‘not so huge’ gigs.

I think 50% deposit before commencement of project and the remainder at delivery is good and a good sign that the client will play their part financially (and otherwise).

A client who refuses to pay a deposit before the project starts doesn’t respect you as a person, creative and business-being!

By: stan - http://iunderstan.com

stan - http://iunderstan.com — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:15:43 +0000

This was good reading. I learned this not in school but watching Judge Judy and Peoples Court at how clients and contractors screw each other over at first opportunity when there is no contract. I even wrote one for my Mom when I borrowed money from her to get a car.

Half down to start, the other half at approval and completion are a must! I don’t have much experience, but I’ve been screwed over enough to know. I even kept a record of the emails sent between me and client in case anything went bad.

Alma is right about including the “kill fee” or what happens when the client finds someone else when you’re halfway through.

By: Alma Gray - http://www.penchantadvertising.com

Alma Gray - http://www.penchantadvertising.com — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:13:02 +0000

Always a contract, and always a deposit to commence work, as well as a “kill fee” in the contract.Expectations should be set clearly (from copywriting,design,time line, to analytics) before hand in the contract. The less gray areas, the more successful/less painful the project is.
Balance due before site goes live. Stated number of revisions in contract and project timeline;also always stress timeliness is based on how quickly client gets requested info in to you. On larger projects, especially in this day and age, a credit report should always be run.

By: deliriousgirl -

deliriousgirl - — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:19:15 +0000

Yep, been there done that. I worked for a new social networking/philanthropy site for a couple of months at waaaaay below what I normally get, just because I believed in the site’s message and objective, turned out I had to threaten and beg for every penny I ever got, when I finally told them NO MORE FREE WORK they owed me a month’s pay. Turned out the two guys running it were Palm Beach millionaires who’d read some old outdated book about the dot com business model, who were expecting to make millions in a sellout to google or yahoo. And I doube that either one of them even knew how to use email much less create a social networking site!

Never again! I get a contract with my cost on it up front nowadays.

By: Michael Alexander - http://editorialengine.com

Michael Alexander - http://editorialengine.com — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:43:35 +0000

Yeah, I can see how a client might not want to be charged for travel time.

In this instance, it was the client’s idea. After he missed our first appointment he wanted to make it up to me, which explains why I initially thought he was such a nice guy.

You’re right though. When I get around to writing a piece from the client’s point of view, I will add something like: “Never surprise the client!”

By: Tim -

Tim - — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:37:21 +0000

Honestly I can understand why the client got upset; from what I can tell he didn’t expect to be charged for your travel time.

By: Veronica -

Veronica - — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:19:52 +0000

Great article, I think anyone who freelances part-time or full-time has or will at some point run into this. I also learned the hard way on web project and large print projects, always have a contract ready and get half the payment upfront.

I also submit a project estimate after discussing the project with the client that breaks down the time, i.e. design, coding, changes/revisions etc. This works great, if the client sees the ‘estimated’ cost and starts fussing or trying to haggle to get you to take half the $ you know it’s time to cut them loose. Clients like that are very rarely worth the trouble. Also, mention in the copy that it is an ‘estimated’ cost and may be more, even though I put Project Estimate in 30pt font, you would be surprised to find a client saying “what, an estimate, I thought this was the final project cost?” Oh yes, it happens.

By: Darrin - http://www.accelerantdesign.com

Darrin - http://www.accelerantdesign.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:30:13 +0000

Get post! Headline caught my eye immediately. Thanks for the tips!

By: John -

John - — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:29:04 +0000

Anyone have a good example of a simple contract for designers?

By: Giuseppe -

Giuseppe - — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:08:40 +0000

During my life I made the same error two times: I didn’t write a contract and I didn’t ask money to start. THAT’S A BIG BIG MISTAKE! I ended with half work finished, many hours spent on it and no money, because the guy said he didn’t need it anymore.