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Posted by Mike Kujbida on 02/13/07 23:36
FCP User wrote:
> In article <1171396026.843523.160120@a75g2000cwd.googlegroups.com>,
> rynato@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> I totally agree with what you say... except when you are dealing with
>> a client who has been thoroughly unpleasant, or has proven themselves
>> to be a 'taker', or other such nightmare clients.
>>
>> In that case, I would feel like a fool if I were to show that level
>> of courtesy to someone who has treated me in such a manner. And that
>> is the situation I find myself in. This woman asked me to turn over
>> some files in return for paying my final invoice, and now that is
>> not good enough and so if I don't help her, she will withhold final
>> payment.
>>
>> Fuck that, and fuck her. I did the work for her, she threw a snit and
>> she made a deal - the CD with the files she asked for, in return for
>> the money she owes me - and I deserve to get paid, for her to uphold
>> her end of things. After that we can talk about any further
>> courtesies. I might even say yes. But in my mind, one of the last
>> things you do to a freelancer is treat them like shit then refuse to
>> pay them until they do further FREE courtesies for you.
>
>
> I know this is going to be hard for you to understand cuz you're
> pissed off. And I completely understand the feeling.
>
> But you've got to get some distance and look at what's happening here.
>
> Its no longer REALLY about her. It's about YOU.
>
> YOU'RE letting her control your emotions and reactions.
>
> So she's winning.
>
> What you need is to step back and understand how to switch this around
> so that YOU'RE winning. And to my mind, that means rising above the
> emotional crap and seeing yourself as ABOVE the petty BS she's
> apparently steeped in.
>
> If you do that, she CAN'T win. Cuz you're suddenly unwilling to play
> her game.
>
> Get a box. Fill it with ALL the tapes, discs, files, and paperwork .
> Any and everything you can related to this project. Keep copies if
> you want - tho I've go to tell you the chances you'll EVER actually
> want to touch any of this again falls somewhere between slim and none
> - but if it makes you feel better, fine. Do it.
>
> Then make up a written list of everything in the box. email her that
> list and tell her you'll be stopping by with ALL the materials from
> her project and attach that list.
>
> Then deliver it, and show her each and every item on the list.
>
> There will be NO reason, now, for her to withhold even a penny of what
> she owes you.
>
> If you get the check, walk away, take it to the bank immediately, and
> forget about the whole thing, except for the lesson she presented you
> with about how NOT to treat people.
>
> If she doesn't pay you. You know this isn't about performance, it's
> about her inability to pay. That's another story.
>
> Sit down somewhere quiet and think about how she acted in the early
> meetings on the project. Did she give you any clues that she'd turn
> out to be a problem? Think about your discussions about money. Did
> she grind you on price? Did she seem disorganized? Uninformed?
>
> This is important, because if you EVER see these same behaviors in
> another client, you'll have an early warning system about future
> problems.
>
> She doesn't know it, but she's given you a GIFT here. The gift of
> experiencing a bad client first hand. Now it's up to YOU to learn from
> the lesson.
>
> Hell, you want to REALLY win this? Find the cheapest bunch of flowers
> you can and SEND THEM TO HER - with a note saying "sorry this didn't
> work out."
>
> That will REALLY mess with her. Suddenly she's gone postal on someone
> who's now demonstrated that he's not only a decent guy, but a guy
> who's willing to take extraordinary steps to mitigate damage, even
> when he's NOT IN ANY WAY AT FAULT.
>
> How classy is that?
>
> You'll know you're sending her the flowers to thank her for letting
> you learn an important business lesson. She won't.
>
> Everyone's happy.
>
> And when she she calls you later because there's nobody left who will
> work with her. Politely tell her you're too busy.
>
> Let us know how things work out.
Another excellent post from Bill on how to stay in business even though the
client is a complete and total jerk.
Take his advice - please. You'll win in the long run.
Mike
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