If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
1–10 of 128 posts
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#2Yes, but as both a contractor and someone who hires contractors, I would say the optimal approach for both developer and client would be to get a small task done first then move from there. So, order the appetizer first, and if it's good, then go for the main course. (Or even better, go out for salad, and then come back next week for the main course if you didn't get food poisoning.)
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#3Am I a rare contractor because I haven't had problems with people paying up? Is that common in the software contracting world? Or is it the case (as it is with most things in this world) that the people with problems also have the loudest voice, or tend to make the most noise, so it seems to be an issue more than it is?
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#4There are two angles at play that got a little mixed together in the video. The first is the hard bargain during initial negotiations (ala the CD for much less) the second (and much uglier) is the restaurant, where after the work is done the client flat refuses to pay.
I'm fine with the former, you get what you pay for, the latter however, really makes me mad.
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#5I am up-voting just because I have lived each and every one of these at least once.
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#6Funny. Now I want to see a comeback video from the clients' perspective.
Cutting edge meat, still some bugs being ironed out but totally worth it if you avoid that whole beef mess. A weird disc with wires attaching it to a projector that that you can put in the dvd player and it plays the projector reels, sort of. When the hair's half cut, a grey hair is discovered. Now it's on track to be finished by Christmas.
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#7This sort of negotiation is common for things like design, photography, video, music, illustration and other creative assets. Based on the production values I'm assuming the video comes from that world, rather than the programming world.
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#8Am I a rare contractor because I haven't had problems with people paying up? Is that common in the software contracting world? Or is it the case (as it is with most things in this world) that the people with problems also have the loudest voice, or tend to make the most noise, so it seems to be an issue more than it is?
You may be rare, or haven't done much yet. I've been in software dev in some capacity for about 17 years, and have been stiffed myself a couple of times, and I've had companies I've worked for been stiffed too. In some cases it was for a lot of money, in some cases very little. If it hasn't happened yet, it probably will at some point. It's not guaranteed, but I don't think I know anyone that's been at this for more than 5 years that hasn't had client payment issues at some stage.
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#9Am I a rare contractor because I haven't had problems with people paying up? Is that common in the software contracting world? Or is it the case (as it is with most things in this world) that the people with problems also have the loudest voice, or tend to make the most noise, so it seems to be an issue more than it is?
I recently had a problem with someone not paying. I finally said "I'm done." I took the software somewhere else (after consulting a lawyer) and sold it to another business doing the same thing. I had gotten half up front from the first guy, and sold it for full price to the next guy.
Granted, my particular circumstance was a little bit loose on the details of the contract, but it was within my rights to do so, and I got paid in full (plus the extra half up front) for the work I did.
Re: If people tried to pay for other services like they try to pay for programming
#10Been there, had most of those (and many other similar) situations..
The worst customer experience... Once a guy called me and asked for a quote. I told I prefer hourly rate * hours worked and explained why it's better for him. He called me crazy and insisted on fixed quote, although he wasn't even sure what he exactly wants. I did fast calculation in my mind and gave him a rough quote. I was bargaining at that time and quote was really very low. Then client did a fast calculation on his end and was lecturing me for ~ 45 minutes that I'm ridiculously expensive and I won't have any clients unless I lower my prices 3x and how dare I charge average monthly salary (for probably 2+ months work...) if I never went to university and so on..
Fast forward 1.5 years - I charge 4x more than in those days and I'm fully booked...