Client who Wanted to Return Design
Late arrival here. Been in Florida counting the seagulls.
> Anam wrote:
> The revisions they're requesting, though, are flying in the face of > this research. I know the ad would be more effective the way I had it
> initially, but they're the client. If they're not happy, I don't get
> paid.
Right there is where I would stop. If the client doesn't like what I create for him, I do my best to fix it so he does like it. But if he insists on something else against my advice, I would not do it unless he agreed that he will pay whether he ultimately likes it or not, and whether it performs as he expects or not.
It hasn't come up recently, but I learned somewhat painfully, that if there are indications that the client is going to be a problem, he pays enough up front to ensure that at least I don't lose money should he change his mind later on.
Ah ... pet peeve week. Great ...
On Apr 20, 2009, at 11:43 AM, Roger Henriques wrote:
>
> On Apr 20, 2009, at 2:28 PM, Craig de Fasselle wrote: >
>> My father always said the toughest part of being a consultant is when >> you need to tell a client he as BO... >
> Obviously a wise and experienced man!
[---]
>
> Then there is the modern, inclusive, politically correct (read
> unable to make up their mind) client who submits every design idea
> to everyone in their office for critical input...
My favorite was the one who wanted me to design a site that looked like an old time American West newspaper. I had learned enough by then to get at least a small deposit first. I emulated the Fort Worth Star Telegram (Texas), complete with yellowed and slightly ragged edges. He liked it, but was unable to tell me what to put in the site. He couldn't even describe what they did or were selling. Something about computers, but what?
Finally, the fellow said, "Can't you just write something?"
I replied, "Sure. What do you want me to say?".
There was silence for a few days, then he asked for a refund and wanted to return the design I had done for them. I told him, of course, that they now owned the design and could do whatever they wanted with it, but refrained from suggesting possibilities.
:-)
Doug