Do you sometimes fall out with the occasional client ?

[simmsimaging]

I have fired two clients over the years and both were quite big clients of mine. Also pulled the plug and walked away from one fairly large project. I believe it is important to set boundaries, and remember that we do this for a living - there comes a point where it simply isn't worth it anymore.

Regarding the nonsense that comes with clients (calls at odd times, with odd questions, and half-read emails etc. etc.) it is all just part of the job unfortunately. I try to remember that they are entitled to waste their time and money however they see fit, but they are *not* entitled to waste mine. It helps with the boundary thing

b

[Morne]

I try to remember that they are entitled to waste their time and money however they see fit, but they are *not* entitled to waste mine.

I wonder what my 1 particular client would say if I tell him that

[simmsimaging]

Who cares?

[plastic_]

I had clients, architects, who asked me to come over, fix their computer, and bring the latest version of cracked autocad with me.
I had clients who demanded that I install a cracked copy of 3dsmax on their 10 year old computer, so they would be able to render by themself. When I said that I don't use cracked software and actually buy my stuff they looked at me like I'm insane.
I had clients who expected that after one finished job all the following jobs get discounted by 50%.

I never cancelled a running job because of client behaviour, but I often turned down requests for additional jobs, where I expected trouble.

As a rule, the most annoying clients are the ones who are the worst/slowest payers, so the decision is easy.

[plastic_]

Probably the most absurd situation I've ever experienced in this business was a client who begged, threatened, yelled at me because I delivered TIF files of renders, as agreed.

The problem was that the TIF files had no layers, and she believed that she needed layers.
I tried to explain to her that there are no layers in a rendered image, that there is no need for layers, and it's not possible to provide any kind of "layers" in this situation. I argued for half an hour on the phone and she still believed that I ripped her off.

That beats the usual "client-insists-on-300dpi" situation.

[dlparisi]

The problem was that the TIF files had no layers, and she believed that she needed layers.
I tried to explain to her that there are no layers in a rendered image, that there is no need for layers, and it's not possible to provide any kind of "layers" in this situation. I argued for half an hour on the phone and she still believed that I ripped her off.

Related, but not a complaint about a client, is that at least a dozen times from different clients they have asked for vector artwork based on discussions they've had with their printer. I sigh every time and have to go into a big explanation on what they really need and what I'm providing.

[Sawyer]

I have had that same discussion with clients trying to refute what their printer told them. Or I got a call once about an old proj - the client wanted an old rendering resized to 19' tall at 1200 dpi. And his printer told him thats what he needed.

[Spikeadeliv]

Had a client ask me why I had sent a .tif file instead of a rgb one!?

laters

spike

[stevesideas]

lol...that made me chuckle

[oligophant]

The other day i got yellewed by a employee , she was telling me that i was ripping off her boss with my price, and wanted to explain why do i charge so much compare to "others", i simply said to her that i dont use cracked software, so i cant compite with them. She laught at me because she though i was using a "mighty software" (exact words - translated from spanish) that no one have, so i answered to her saying, you should know how much the software cost because you are using it on your office. Then she get insulted by it and hang up the phone. The funny thing is her last words were "i'm busy"... but she was the one who called me...
Before i went to freelancing i worked many years on different offices developing projects or doing arch viz, so i know the deal.

Another one i called "the reflection case" because i was nearly one hour talking to the phone with an employee trying to explain her HOW REFLECTIONS WORKS!!!!!! i even made a drawing with arrows and all clarifing the matter but i didnt send it because it easily shows her how dumb she is, instead of that i told her, if you want me to cheat the reflection just tell me and i find the way to make it.

Some clients reminds me a bunch of monkeys talking to the pc's mouse, but they pay the bills so i keep these stories and many others to my self. . I never say no to a job, i just make a higher price for it and they decline if their choice after all.