Comments on: Flaky Clients and How to Deal with Them http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:48:38 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joe http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-41134 Joe Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:46:34 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-41134 I just stumbled on this site and I'm very happy about the contents of this freelancewritinggig. I just want to ask seasoned writers what to do on the following occasions: 1.) what to do when client did not send payments and ignored all " reminders" ? 2.) what to do when I wrote the article as requested by the client, sent it, only to receive " your article is a double-post of what we receive and hence, could not accept it". I have been a writer for 10 years and I am always cognizant of plagiarism. I never copied anyone's work. Is this a lame way for not paying my work or it's just me who experienced this? Thanks in advance for your responses! I just stumbled on this site and I’m very happy about the contents of this freelancewritinggig.

I just want to ask seasoned writers what to do on the following occasions:

1.) what to do when client did not send payments and ignored all ” reminders” ?

2.) what to do when I wrote the article as requested by the client, sent it, only to receive ” your article is a double-post of what we receive and hence, could not accept it”. I have been a writer for 10 years and I am always cognizant of plagiarism. I never copied anyone’s work. Is this a lame way for not paying my work or it’s just me who experienced this?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

]]> By: Adrie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-30002 Adrie Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:45:19 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-30002 Hey all, Does anyone know where I can post a complaint about an editor who has taken well over a year to pay for one of my stories?? She is a very well known editor that is also well respected, but as far as my dealings with her; she has barely bothered to update anyone on the status of the anthology since accepting the submissions and it's been MONTHS since she last contacted the contributing authors saying that 'payment was on the way'! Dreadful woman! Thx:) Hey all,

Does anyone know where I can post a complaint about an editor who has taken well over a year to pay for one of my stories?? She is a very well known editor that is also well respected, but as far as my dealings with her; she has barely bothered to update anyone on the status of the anthology since accepting the submissions and it’s been MONTHS since she last contacted the contributing authors saying that ‘payment was on the way’! Dreadful woman!

Thx:)

]]> By: Shell http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7712 Shell Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:23:13 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7712 Again, Phil, an interesting post. Yes, the lending of an ear on hard times and the economy did ring a warning bell especially from an established business with quite a good profit margin. Again, Phil, an interesting post. Yes, the lending of an ear on hard times and the economy did ring a warning bell especially from an established business with quite a good profit margin.

]]> By: Shell http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7711 Shell Thu, 22 Nov 2007 23:18:40 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7711 Excellent post Deb! Yes, after several years working with a great client, I have recently come across one like you mentioned in your post. The delayed emails, the promised information never turning up. The chasing up for a response, only to have a false promise of interest during their hectic schedule. Then the promise of pay only to receive nothing. There were warning signs from the beginning but after an interesting telephone conversation and great praise from the company, I guess I just ignored the signs... until they became really apparent! Excellent post Deb!

Yes, after several years working with a great client, I have recently come across one like you mentioned in your post. The delayed emails, the promised information never turning up. The chasing up for a response, only to have a false promise of interest during their hectic schedule. Then the promise of pay only to receive nothing.

There were warning signs from the beginning but after an interesting telephone conversation and great praise from the company, I guess I just ignored the signs… until they became really apparent!

]]> By: Phil http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7679 Phil Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:05:22 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7679 To Amanda's point, one should check out prospective clients as carefully as they check you out...are there online complaints (one place where blogs can be very helpful) about non-payments, do other writers in forums such as this have experience with some clients, etc. The other thing I've found helpful is starting slowly with new clients. This is difficult when there are bills to pay, but it helps from getting burned. Another important caveat, if a regular client starts paying more slowly, cutting back work or bringing up complaints about the economy, lack of work, etc., know that these are warning signs of potential non-payment in the future. This is true even of "established" businesses. I worked at a newspaper that was owed $1 milion by Goldblatt's when it went under. As in a previous discussion that Deb had, having a variety of clients helps to soften the blow of one who unexpectedly becomes flaky. To Amanda’s point, one should check out prospective clients as carefully as they check you out…are there online complaints (one place where blogs can be very helpful) about non-payments, do other writers in forums such as this have experience with some clients, etc.

The other thing I’ve found helpful is starting slowly with new clients. This is difficult when there are bills to pay, but it helps from getting burned.

Another important caveat, if a regular client starts paying more slowly, cutting back work or bringing up complaints about the economy, lack of work, etc., know that these are warning signs of potential non-payment in the future. This is true even of “established” businesses. I worked at a newspaper that was owed $1 milion by Goldblatt’s when it went under.

As in a previous discussion that Deb had, having a variety of clients helps to soften the blow of one who unexpectedly becomes flaky.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7600 Amanda Thu, 22 Nov 2007 01:14:58 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7600 I, too, have asked myself that question: why are freelancers expected to behave like professionals, when half the time clients reciprocate with very unprofessional behaviour? I've had people sound all a-go and then drop me like a hot potato as soon the time comes for them to give me the go ahead on a project. Ah well. Those I don't mind so much, as I learn the true nature of the client before it's too late. I've also learned not to hold my breath! I, too, have asked myself that question: why are freelancers expected to behave like professionals, when half the time clients reciprocate with very unprofessional behaviour? I’ve had people sound all a-go and then drop me like a hot potato as soon the time comes for them to give me the go ahead on a project. Ah well. Those I don’t mind so much, as I learn the true nature of the client before it’s too late. I’ve also learned not to hold my breath!

]]> By: Julie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7594 Julie Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:34:49 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7594 I think I may have just been flaked on. Badly. Signed a contract that stated 'payment two business days after work received'. Submitted two of the ten, never heard a thing, here it is a week later and an email came in saying payment would be processed that night. Nothing. My deadline is friday and I am thinking about dropping this assignment due to the client flake-age. Am I wrong to do it? Also, when I went to look at the contract, which I signed first and it went back to them, THEN I got a copy, it was changed from 2 buisness days to 'after satisfactory receipt of articles'. Alarms? I think I may have just been flaked on. Badly.

Signed a contract that stated ‘payment two business days after work received’. Submitted two of the ten, never heard a thing, here it is a week later and an email came in saying payment would be processed that night. Nothing. My deadline is friday and I am thinking about dropping this assignment due to the client flake-age. Am I wrong to do it? Also, when I went to look at the contract, which I signed first and it went back to them, THEN I got a copy, it was changed from 2 buisness days to ‘after satisfactory receipt of articles’.

Alarms?

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7591 Jennifer Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:56:21 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7591 Nope this does not sound familiar at all. Just kidding. Actually it sounds all too familiar. Which is too bad. You know what I'd add to the list. If the client only answers your emails like this: "J, TIMM! ha ha, LOL, WOTSPN." (HUH?) I don't know how many times I have to say how lame this is before the not lame fairy comes and helps me out. Nope this does not sound familiar at all.

Just kidding. Actually it sounds all too familiar. Which is too bad. You know what I’d add to the list. If the client only answers your emails like this:

“J,
TIMM! ha ha, LOL, WOTSPN.” (HUH?)

I don’t know how many times I have to say how lame this is before the not lame fairy comes and helps me out.

]]> By: Amy Derby http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7586 Amy Derby Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:39:33 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7586 I agree. There are flakes on both sides. Flakes, people who can't count, people who claim all six reminders about your invoice got lost in their spam filters even when they receive every other piece of info you've ever sent them, the list goes on. Contracts and letters of agreement cut down on a lot of the bull, but there are always some people who flake regardless. Luckily the good ones tend to outweigh the bad. I agree. There are flakes on both sides. Flakes, people who can’t count, people who claim all six reminders about your invoice got lost in their spam filters even when they receive every other piece of info you’ve ever sent them, the list goes on. Contracts and letters of agreement cut down on a lot of the bull, but there are always some people who flake regardless. Luckily the good ones tend to outweigh the bad.

]]> By: Sue http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2007/11/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/comment-page-1/#comment-7584 Sue Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:14:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/flaky-clients-and-how-to-deal-with-them/#comment-7584 If you aren't getting responses to email, it might be because they've hit a spam filter or something wonky happened with your email. I hate to do it, but sometimes you just have to be proactive and pick up the phone and call the editor. If you aren’t getting responses to email, it might be because they’ve hit a spam filter or something wonky happened with your email. I hate to do it, but sometimes you just have to be proactive and pick up the phone and call the editor.

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