Here’s a short video from Scofield Editorial which is about how some clients behave to freelancers (and others) transposed into other situations.
Personally I’ve experienced all of these already. So one has to wonder why they think they can do it to us, but not at say restaurants, hair dressers, or movie rental places.
What about you? Have you experienced such behavior from your clients as well?
3 replies to “The Vendor Client Relationship”
Mat said on November 19th, 2009 at 10:37
I think it’s because the ‘results’ of hairdressers, restaurants and buying something in shops is more tangible than websites, graphics and animations.
At least people have a somewhat reasonable grasp of how this stuff came together (most can cook, at least to some degree ;)) and are probably willing to pay for that (not being allowed to leave before things are paid for tends to help, too)
Vintage customer quotes of mine:
“THAT much? I have a nephew that does that in his spare time.” – yeah, an untrained unprofessional.. good going.
“THAT long? Why? You’re basically just pushing around images!” – sigh. -.-
It’s the misconceptions about our line of work, I think, that’s the main reason for this ludicrous behavior (that, and plain old cheapskateness)
Maybe as well that contracts are forged in a non-public setting where clients feel like they can do as they want..
Mark said on November 19th, 2009 at 10:37
I get a lot of inquiries along these lines and see them routinely, other than wasting my time with quotes – they never become my client for fairly understandable reasons.
I did have one client quite recently ask if I’d do some work speculatively, and I flat out said I don’t work for free and they suddenly accepted paying for my time. Does seem some clients just try it on to see what they can get away with, I don’t really understand why we’re in such a barter system either, it’s not a Greek tourist souvenir stand.
rihards said on November 19th, 2009 at 10:42
Ah the good old “But my nephew can do it for a few bucks!” line. I always love that, or when a client has “tech-savy family” who know better :D