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Work / Freelance: When a client haggles for the sake of it...

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      CommentAuthorjanpd24
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    Curious to know what everyone here does in this sort of situation: Potential client contacts you with a job and asks for a quote. When you give it to them - and I think my rates are pretty reasonable - they try to haggle it down. In this case by quite a bit, about 40%. (Maybe it happens more with Indians because haggling seems so congenital in us!!!) tongue

    I usually decline such jobs, even though at the moment I could do with the money as I'm moving into a new place and all that! I feel that by giving in to them you're devaluing your own work.
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      CommentAuthorJJenZz
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    I decline work when they try to take the piss michael like that. That's just offensive.
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      CommentAuthorbakercad
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007 edited by bakercad on the 03rd January 2007 at 11:16:11 EST
     
    determining if it's worth taking the cut in lieu of getting the some much needed cash is something that only you can decide.

    However, if it's an easy project...I'd do it for cheap. If it's a difficult project, try to talk them up a bit. If they decline, tell them "thanks for the interest, but I can't see doing [project] for that low of a rate". If you know someone else who might do the project for the rate they're willing to pay, pass it on. The other guy/girl may return the favor and the client may remember your kindness in the future for other projects and/or may refer someone else to you.

    my $0.02
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      CommentAuthorsnop
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    If you need the money, go back with the same rate you originally quoted and tell them it's fair (maybe send some rates from other companies to prove it). If you don't need the money, forget it - too many other fish in the sea to waste time on a potentially difficult client.
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      CommentAuthorjanpd24
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    I'm not that desperate for the money! Actually, it's not enough to get desperate over for the amount of work I'll have to put in! But thanks for the opinions, all of you. I'm going to do what Snop suggested and try to show him my quote was quite fair.
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      CommentAuthorbakercad
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    Posted By: janpd24I'm not that desperate for the money!

    I hope I didn't make it seem like you were that desperate. wink
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      CommentAuthorjanpd24
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    wink I was worrying that I made it sound like I was that desperate!
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      CommentAuthorainslie
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    I quote a price and if they don't like it I walk away from the deal. Too many people want a website for free!
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      CommentAuthorLobsterMan
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007 edited by LobsterMan on the 03rd January 2007 at 12:15:23 EST
     
    I'm sometimes tempted to accept it, but then it gets so annoying to put time and effort into it thta it totally kills me.
    Drop it if you can.
    I don't work for the local market here. mostly because they don't care one bit for standards, and everything is measured by it working in IE, and it's the other browsers "problem" that they're not "compliant" with IE. Argh it really annoys me.
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      CommentAuthoryugnats
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    Posted By: LobsterManI don't work for the local market here. mostly because they don't care one bit for standards, and everything is measured by it working in IE, and it's the other browsers "problem" that they're not "compliant" with IE.


    exactly the problem here as well lobsterman. its annoying when you have a local I.T. prof telling me that i should be using windows and when i tell them its a damn shame they have no linux computer labs at the school he scoffs at me!
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      CommentAuthorjanpd24
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007 edited by janpd24 on the 03rd January 2007 at 12:34:34 EST
     
    @Joe: Yep, same problem here. Another thing that's annoying is, when people see a freelance person they feel obliged to argue rates. I know someone who paid a design "company" the equivalent of $2000 for a static site (in Indian rupees, it's a monstrous amount!!). It was worth about a tenth of that! But you won't see them paying that much to an independent designer, though.

    @Stan: I know the feeling! Try getting hardened goofs off IE!

    Just for the record, I told that guy to b*gger off. Nicely, I mean. He said he liked my work, etc., and then said, "Could we do it for less?", so that really is very illogical!

    Ha! starting the new year by putting my foot down! tooth
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      CommentAuthorsnop
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    Posted By: yugnatsits annoying when you have a local I.T. prof telling me that i should be using windows and when i tell them its a damn shame they have no linux computer labs at the school he scoffs at me!

    Oh man - the arguments I could have with that guy tongue

    Nice one on putting your foot down. You hit it right on with the difference between freelancing and design companies.
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      CommentAuthorDENiAL
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    Posted By: LobsterManI'm sometimes tempted to accept it, but then it gets so annoying to put time and effort into it thta it totally kills me.
    Drop it if you can.
    I don't work for the local market here. mostly because they don't care one bit for standards, and everything is measured by it working in IE, and it's the other browsers "problem" that they're not "compliant" with IE. Argh it really annoys me.

    I SOOO feel you there. I can show you some HORRIBLE sites, and when I pitched a revamp, abnd quoted the prive they looked at me like I was the devil, or something. So I pretty much do no local buisness.

    As far as haggling goes, I try my best to have a set price list, and stick to it. They don't like, move on, you really do pay for what you get in design.
    • CommentAuthor4evrblu
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    A workman (or woman) is worthy of their wage.

    If you compromise and end up doing a ton of work, you resent yourself as well as the other person. Stand firm.
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      CommentAuthorarwen54
    • CommentTimeJan 3rd 2007
     
    Payal, you go girl!
    I'm glad you put your foot down...

    I had to do that just recently too and it did wonders for my self-esteem wink
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      CommentAuthorjanpd24
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2007
     
    Yes, it does that, doesn't it?! I was trying to explain this to my sister, but she thought I was nuts!
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      CommentAuthorJJenZz
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2007
     
    Hah, it makes me laugh when people say "your work rocks but i'm not willing to pay you much for it".

    I was recently e-mailed about a fulltime web design job. They called to discuss the position and to find out if I was definitely what they were looking for. After asking my current salary, they e-mailed me to offer me the job and tell me i'd be a great asset to the company and that i'd gain a lot of experience working for them, however, they'd only be willing to pay me LESS than what i'm on now. I almost replied with "You're having a laugh right?" but just kinda said "Thanks, but no thanks" instead. If i really was as great as they made me out to be, they'd have been willing to pay more IMO.

    Oh well tongue
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      CommentAuthorJay
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2007
     
    I never take jobs at an undercut rate for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they might go and tell all their friends about the discount they haggled from you, and before you know it you're handing out discounts left right and center. Secondly, if you slash your hourly rate to accommodate one customer you are in fact only losing money as that project could easily be replaced by someone willing to pay your standard rate. It's just not worth it in my opinion. This I explain to the client who asks if I can work for cut rates. I tell them that, having so much work on right now I simply can't afford to offer any discounts.

    Unless of course it's a project you really REALLY want to work on. Or one you feel you might get a LOT of referrals for or something. But generally, no no!:-) If they like your work that much, and want you that much, they will be willing to pay your rates. If not, it's probably not worth it.

    And that, friends and neighbors is my take on the matter tongue
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      CommentAuthorSyuk
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2007
     
    I am semi-freelance (but not web design) also, and agree with most of the comments here, if you need the cash, you have to take it, unless it happens to be a client who KNOWS you need the cash, then they are simply using you imho.

    If I have given someone a quote or ballpark figure, I pitch them to know what they are expecting to get in return for my time. If someone asked for a discount like 40%, i'd expect them in turn to justify why they think my pricing outline wasn't acceptable or overpriced.

    I agree with Jay's comment, if it something you really want to do or are interested in or see future potential in helping, and can afford to take a hit, go for it!

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