Comments on: The vendor client relationship

By: L Kathryn Jackson

L Kathryn Jackson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:52:14 +0000

This video was top notch! But… I was selling cars in 1987 and a man came on to the lot looking at rather plain Buick Centries. They where listed at $18,000.00. The guy offered 12,000, becuase, “I am going to buy more than one.” No matter what the product, if people perceive they don’t have to pay what’s asked for whatEVER the reason they get the nerve to try anad weedle you into penury. I also had a woman who wanted me to close in her backporch (when I was a carpenter) and as I was nearly done, she found she had a leak in the roof. Since she had to pay to fix the roof, she didn’t want to pay me more than the third I’d gotten up front…. Oh, please people, get a clue! Now I’m going into Graphic Design and the same thing is going to happen. Fortunately I’m older and I hope wiser now. “No tickee, no washee”.

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:15:02 +0000

Eugh, I have this happen to me ALL THE TIME at the bar I work at.

People will be having a great time for hours and hours and hours and suddenly they get their bill and claim I cheated them and there was “no way they could have had that many”

BUT THEY’VE BEEN HERE FROM 7PM to 2AM!!!!

I can’t even f**king get you a beer unless I ring it up you idiot!

By: seth

seth — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:35:01 +0000

This is incredible… i AM going to show this to every prospective client that starts to do this, and doesn’t seem to understand when I try to nudge them in the right direction. either they’ll humbly be corrected, or they’ll be offended, and at that point, if they’re not going to budge, i don’t care if it offends them.

By: Andrew Convery

Andrew Convery — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:32:47 +0000

Hi David,

I just come across your site yesterday after trying to find the best way to construct an interactive web form – stumbling across your feature onn Adobe LiveCycle Designer – very useful information. Just getting to grips with the program. Just trying to work whether there is a way the client can save the form if they havent completed it and return to it in Adobe Reader, or whether they have to complete and submit it in one sitting?! Hope taht makes sense.

Your site is brilliant, some very interesting discussions – especially about the term ‘freelancer’ I’m glad I haven’t called myself a freelancer on my business cards and letterheads.

In reply to this video, have you seen any of these series of animations they’re brilliant, and sadly soo true! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCjcwBGQtiw

Keep up the great work.

Regards

Andrew Convery
Web/Graphic Designer
Carlisle, UK.

By: Justin Nash

Justin Nash — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:11:09 +0000

I don’t know where you found this but you got some major points for this one! Thanks for sharing. It made my day.

I think this is the only video that sums up the entire experience of being a designer and dealing with clients. Every designer has been through all these scenarios at least once.

The only way it could have been better is if the guy at the restaurant proceeded to give the chef suggestions on how the dish could be better then wanted a discount because he helped.

By: Amanda Vlahakis

Amanda Vlahakis — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:49:25 +0000

LOVE IT! Brilliant :)

All you have to do with clients like that is just don’t even get into a discussion ‘explaining’ in detail what great value you are.

Why waste your precious time explaining, they either want to pay or they don’t, you could be spending that time finding clients who do attach appropriate value your offering.

It does take some guts when faced with this … plus in the early days if feeling a bit desperate for work, it’s so so tempting to give in. Don’t give in!

A designer that is just starting out freelance recently told me how they gave into this sort of thing last week and regretted it and vow never to repeat.

By: Cyrillicus

Cyrillicus — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:49:31 +0000

Have to deal with this everyday. I specially love it when clients want something done but don’t want to pay for it. “Can we have this tomorrow, don’t worry we’ll pay next week.” ;-)

Always take the money upfront, at least 1/2 otherwise you’ll be taken advantage of.

If client refuses to sign an agreement that simply states paying terms and schedule better leave that client, find a new one.

If client refuses to sign agreement don’t do business with them you’ll be out thousands of dollars and weeks of lost time.

Great video, I’ll link to it on my site.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:28:50 +0000

Classic! Who made this ad and what for??

By: Max Danger

Max Danger — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:41:47 +0000

Yo Dave,
OMG! I know the antagonists were actors, but I found myself wanting to punch them in the face.

This is so true. I’ve been in this situation ore times than I care to admit until I grew a huge pair and began to respect myself, my art, and my time.

If you can’t pay… We don’t play. I’m a self-taught designer and I’ve worked too hard for someone… anyone to diminish my skills, talents and passion.

So for all those that may be in this situation now…
Grow a Pair, Real Clients Are Out There!

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:56:52 +0000

When I saw this I immediately thought of an architectural designer who pulled this exact thing on me a few years ago. The worst part is when they ask you to teach them to use the software so they can do it themselves…free of course.