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ColorThreads
February 17th, 2008
This is how it sometimes happens with clients.
Aloke Pillai
February 17th, 2008
Been there, done that! lol
Keep Rocking!
Aloke Pillai
Ryan
February 17th, 2008
So true it hurts.
Mike Smith
February 17th, 2008
definitely something I’ve seen NUMEROUS times. Digitalpoint is FULL of people like that. Drives business down especially for those who rely on the internet for client sources.
wbd
February 17th, 2008
Interesting timing for this week’s topic, as I had a minor fender-bender a couple of weeks ago - wish my car only cost $350 to fix…
Nate
February 17th, 2008
So true…
Jonathan
February 17th, 2008
Hahaha! Right on the spot! But sadly, some people just don’t understand that..
Brett Nyquist
February 17th, 2008
Imagine if they had an eLance for auto mechanics.. there would be a lot more broken down cars on the side of the road.
Krissy
February 17th, 2008
so very very true. I’m so sick of looking on other sites and seeing advertisers willing to pay mere cents for articles and other copywriting work. It is very disheartening!
Hyder
February 17th, 2008
What’s worse is when the client is family and they expect you to repay back past favors done onto you when you had absolutely no idea that you received help from them. Like my X gave me cash for college, when it some of it probably came from Y and I had no idea. So it’s like I’m indebted now for stuff I don’t even know about to Y!
I’ll still freelance though, no matter what!
Constantin Potorac
February 17th, 2008
:))… I will never get tired of these.
David Zemens - 1955 Design
February 17th, 2008
Generally speaking, however, the auto mechanic does a brief review of the troubles with the car and then calls the owner with an estimate on the cost to make the repairs.
This, of course, is analogous to the freelancer who specs out a project and offers a proposal. As long as the freelancer does not fall victim to the “lower the price” trap everything works as planned.
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s necessary to negotiate the price if business is slow and the freelancer needs the work. I suppose the same thing holds true with the auto mechanic if business is slow.
Your point, however, is very well taken.
Anne Wayman
February 17th, 2008
Okay, I know the feeling, but the mechanic looks like a guy who owns his own shop, in other words another freelancer. Why should I expect another freelancer to discount his rates to me?
chris.pund
February 17th, 2008
Great one! This happens way too much in the freelancing biz.
Aurel
February 17th, 2008
We should all charge the same price
Shycon Design
February 17th, 2008
It’s funny (or sad) cause it’s true.
Robert John
February 17th, 2008
This just happened to me while applying for my business license last week. What a coincidence.
Niki Brown
February 17th, 2008
I think this happens because of lack of respect, and the “age” of our field. Graphic design is a rather young field. You dont see people bargaining with doctors…
Jonathan
February 18th, 2008
LOL, I’m from a developing country with low cost of living and I could make your website for US$350…. =p
hahaha!
Brett Nyquist
February 18th, 2008
Yeah it’s pretty pathetic when potential clients come to you asking if you can create a custom design with e-commerce integration and mention that they were quoted about $175 bucks on one of those rent-a-designer sites. “So if you can come in under that.. awesome.”
I think a great analogy of all of this is: http://www.danielmall.com/archives/2008/02/11/figaro.php
Funzig : web design Lancashire
February 18th, 2008
Interesting twist on this: I quite often get the “You build websites: can you fix my computer?” question to which the answer has now become “Would you ask a taxi driver to fix your car?”.
Ahmad Alfy
February 18th, 2008
zOMG so true!!
been there alot!!
Ahmad Alfy
February 18th, 2008
maybe we all should start doing like this guy ?
robotplague
February 18th, 2008
So true, so true.
Sam
February 18th, 2008
I *must* expand my client base. It seems like either I charge too little, or I have too many clients with small pocketbooks.
MARTI GARAUGHTY
February 19th, 2008
Too funny but too true, unfortunately.
christophr
February 19th, 2008
This is the story of my entire life.
A. Jackson
February 19th, 2008
WOW! How hilarious is that! lol
Chris Laskey
February 20th, 2008
A picture is worth a thousand (blog entry) words.
There’s really nothing else to say, except thanks for making this one N.C. Winters. Frustrated freelancers unite
Cheers,
A. Martin
February 20th, 2008
There sooooo needs to be a book of all of these. I love them all, keep’em coming!!
Noel
February 26th, 2008
This one is funny!
Ivan Listes
August 13th, 2008
Loved this one so much!
I made a wallpaper out of it to remind me never to sell my work short!