Design clients from hell

[sttcmghtf]

Great short film, showing how the wider business world would suffer if customers in general behaved like design clients from hell.

[dedwardp]

Haha, that's all very true!

[sttcmghtf]

Haha, that's all very true!

Especially the lady in the hairdressers -- how many designers get told by a client that they'll 'roll the cost' over when they come back with some repeat business, only never to return again?

[Paul Murray]

People don't seem to realise they're actually paying for the designer's time, not just the final product.

[bigdm]

People don't seem to realise they're actually paying for the designer's time, not just the final product.

Damn right! and don't get me started on "well, we didn't really budget for this!"

<rant>
i recently had a client that has not only moved the goal posts but changed the entire game at least 3 times so far, only to come back to me saying they wanted what I originally suggested!! When i said, look this is the last time i change it for free, they looked at me as if i was nuts.. "you said it was this, now you want more" I simply said.. YES that's what i was going to say to you the last 3 times!!!
</rant>
:icon_Wall:

[sttcmghtf]

People don't seem to realise they're actually paying for the designer's time, not just the final product.

Time, but more importantly, expertise.

[sttcmghtf]

Damn right! and don't get me started on "well, we didn't really budget for this!"
i recently had a client that has not only moved the goal posts but changed the entire game at least 3 times so far

Do you ever build such an eventuality into your spoken / written agreements with clients at the outset? It's a sensible way of managing their expectations.

[Dave L]

Do you ever build such an eventuality into your spoken / written agreements with clients at the outset? It's a sensible way of managing their expectations.

True: it's easily dealt with if you deal with it at the right time. Any quote I submit carries the caveat that the estimated price is based on the work as described in the brief and that any client-directed changes post-brief will be charged at an hourly rate. I find that this covers my back and ensures that I'm properly paid for what I do but also gives the client an opportunity to take a step back and make sure they know what they want at the outset.

[sttcmghtf]

True: it's easily dealt with if you deal with it at the right time. Any quote I submit carries the caveat that the estimated price is based on the work as described in the brief and that any client-directed changes post-brief will be charged at an hourly rate. I find that this covers my back and ensures that I'm properly paid for what I do but also gives the client an opportunity to take a step back and make sure they know what they want at the outset.

That makes good sense. Managing clients' expectations from the outset makes for a much more profitable relationship for both parties.

[georgerogers]

I like the bit at the end when the guy in the resturant says show me exactly what you did so I can do it myself for free, everytime I do an SEO job that is what happens without fail, so I just say "google it"