Chosen by Asker

If you can put up with the aggravation, why not raise your prices? If the client goes along, the extra money will offset the annoyance (just make sure you ask for enough to really make it worthwhile). And if they don't go along, good riddance. Jacking up your rate is also a good way to get rid of them without really burning your bridges, if you spin it correctly. Here are some other pages with advice along these lines: www ... www ... www ...

by sashazur

4 months ago

Asker's Rating: 

"I know the customer is 'always right'." - Actually, the customer is rarely right. There are many ways to approach this. The most obvious way to approach it is by claiming a professional disagreement -- you've already stated that the client wants work done "the wrong way". Another way of saying this is, "Mr. Client. I disagree with your desired approach on this project. I believe you would be suited better by a consultant, whose philosophy agrees with yours on these matters."

by zeuz- 4 months ago

Only you can decide. I'd hate to have a client who always calls at the last minute and then pays late. You deserve to be paid DOUBLE for emergency calls. Double makes it easier to put up with Friday night gigs. Worse, they pay you late. You can't plan for cash flows and it's too late to hit them with interest for being late.

by v b- 4 months ago

Try reverse psychology. Start telling them what you expect they will want to hear, or the 'wrong way' of fixing things, as you put it. Then they'll either agree with you and ask you to fix it that way. Which may seem like the same situation you're in now, but the difference will be that you will know what is coming and will be able to adjust things accordingly, and maybe even laugh at the situation. Or they'll disagree and perhaps stumble across the correct answer on their own, and ask you to do it that way. Which will solve your problem. Either way you're still getting paid, right? ;D And if they're as disorganised as you say. Then the business isn't likely to be around for much longer. May as well take a few of their dollars while they're still there to be taken :)

by DaveyBoy doesn't get it :)- 4 months ago

I agree with everyone,as they all gave excellent answers, and the wording in zeuz's comment it right on target,albeit a lot more polite than what i would have stated, but still, this is what i feel you may need to state to Mr Client. Since their business ensures failure, this tells me that I would defenitly NOT want to have any type of business dealings with them in any shape, form, or fashion. I would further go onto raise your prices for the late-night, "emergency" crap,and then sit back and allow for them to squirm their way into your good graces. I am not business person, but common sense tells me that your gut instincts are dead-on,and the sooner you ditch this (lousy,crappy) client,the better,and more sound for your peace of mind. Good luck :)

by ericabishop691stillmissesHeathL.- 4 months ago

What kind of customer? I mean if you are in a trust oriented business such as treating the mentally ill, I wouldn't advise it, it could make a patient *snap. In regards to other things like computers, cars, I think once you started it's not really right to not correct what you have started, no matter who the client is. You could suggest, "if you are not happy with my service you could possibly get a second opinion" that way your client doesn't take it personally, and you can possibly get rid of them without tarnishing your own good name in business. good luck (((goddess))) I hope it works out for you both.

by warrior_soul- 4 months ago

Make it into a competition and-or game. E.g. try and predict where the next problem will occur. You really need to find a way to make it fun otherwise, y'll finish up becoming slack-disinterested and get fired for poor performance and ruin your reputation which, let's face it, is all any of us really have. Laziness is the root of their problem; maybe their income is too easily derived. They must be driven by something; find it and use it to your benefit. Have you read Machiavelli's The Prince. Of course you could always sub-contract the job out. Whatever to do eventually do, make sure it is NOT as a result of bridge burning. Keep friends close and enemies closer. I trawled through my 'quote file' for something on 'business' and the one that jumped out at me was: Hunter S Thompson: The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. Then there's this: In modern business it is not the crook that is to be feared most, it is the honest man who doesn't know what he is doing. (William Wordsworth) ~

by Everard G- 4 months ago