When Bartering Pisses on You
I have been trying to get my business of the ground for a while now. Back in February, when I first realized that I could actually make money designing web sites, I offered my services to anyone who even appeared to need one. An acquaintance is also self-employed and in a field that was very useful to me. He needed a website; I needed his services (and get your mind out of the gutter- I’m a married woman). We decided to exchange services. However, I seemed to have gotten the short end of the stick.
His services are only necessary every six months and do not cost nearly as much as I would charge for a web design. Once he completes his services, I cannot go back and request changes. It is a done deal. And it only takes on day. Web Design, on the other hand, can be a very long and tedious process. And it’s hard to set limits when most people don’t understand the process.
So, the first site that I did was good. Despite the fact that I did not agree with some of the choices he made for the site, I complied because the customer is always right. There were some other minor issues in that he did not get information to me in the alloted timeframe (very bad) and he is somewhat of a know-it-all. But, alas we got things done and I was more than happy to add this job to my portfolio.
Over the course of this time I used his services twice. The first time I was very satisfied. The second time, he kind of pushed me into a direction that I was not 100% comfortable with, but I went with it and was satisfied. The the third time never happened for some reason. When I suggested that we give his site a makeover, he was all too excited to offer his services to me again. That was the first sign of trouble.
Over the next two months and a countless exchange of emails, I realized that this person did not have any real respect for what web design entails. In fact, he was/is very selfish and does not care that I am trying to build a business. I have to market and build some free templates. Did I mention that I have not used his services again because he keeps flaking out on me? In fact, he has told me that he was going to meet me and has not shown.
Well Monday was the final straw. I received an email asking me to change and already approved site that has been coded, uploaded, and except for a few minor changes, completed. I decided to let him know that I would not be making the changes he requested because he is taking advantage of the situation. What he is asking me to do would be a complete makeover when, after asking 10 times if he liked it, I was told 10 times that it was perfect.
I told him in not-so-nice terms what was on my mind.
Was i wrong?
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I am a dominate personality and proud of it. I am a mom to the most beautiful little girl in the world. I am a teacher by day and a computer geek by night and love to read, blog, read blogs, design sites, and eat cheez-its. Occasionally, I try my hand at writing reviews, photography and knitting, crocheting, and weight loss. I have recently started a web design business.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:08 am
No, you were right. Back in the late 90’s (boy that makes me sound old), I was doing web designing also. I did some bartering myself. It almost always ended like this. Which is part of the reason I don’t do that anymore. The good thing about it is, that you do get to add more to your portfolio. So try to think of it more as advertising, than bartering.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Thank you so much for commenting. I was worried that i was being mean. you made me feel a lot better.
You are also right about it being advertising. So, I will think of it in this way and maybe, just maybe, I won’t go postal. LOL
August 29th, 2008 at 11:03 am
No, you did the right thing. Hopefully you weren’t too um…candid…in your reply, as he may be called upon as a reference one day. Don’t want to burn your bridges but at the same time you were perfectly within your rights to comment and refuse. Keep good email records and learn from the experience and like the other commenter said, it is advertising!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Thanks for the comment. I think we have come to an understanding and he has held up his end of the bargain. And, I did get another job out of it.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Absolutely not. Usually I would say diplomacy should be used, but when people are that selfish and flaky, you have to be crystal-clear!
I hate when people take advantage. You are very talented so he got more than he deserved already!
Elisas last blog post..Is that a challenge?
August 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
From a customer point of view, I’m in the process of working with a designer to give my blog & site a “facelift” and I try to be really polite and respectful of her time & talent. I do make recommendations, but also ask her opinion and whether or not she feels comfortable doing something. Believe me, I think web designers are pure geniuses b/c I’ve tried to wrestle with Photoshop on many an occasion only to wind up cursing at the computer screen! LOL. So, you were right to tell your client who you felt. Nobody should feel taken advantage of!
September 1st, 2008 at 11:55 am
NEVER code for free. Charge _more_ than you think you’re worth.
The only free work I would give away is one that had a fat link to my website in it. And I’d make sure the copyright stated it had to be kept there.
Get paid a third in advance, and mid-way, and upon near-completion.
Once you get a few clients, drop the troublesome ones, but not before telling them first why you want more money and less hassle. If you’re righteous, they’ll either clear off or cave in. Either way, you win!
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
I also do web & graphic design, and in the beginning, got pissed on many times! Mainly by friends, which is why I rarely do work for friends anymore
Now I still love to do trade work since I think it helps build community and is good f or the soul, BUT I always draw up a contract for my trade clients just like I would any other client, AND we exchange excel spreadhseets with the amount of hours of work along with our normal charge per service. That way, we always make sure we’re being fair. I think you were right to stand your ground. Most people don’t understand how much work goes into designing, or how the value of your work goes beyond just the hours spent, but then also the value the work adds to their business; that’s why I do the spreadsheet with the actual cost that the work I do for them normally would cost. Anyway, kudos to you for knowing your worth, and keep it up!
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
No you were not wrong. I understand the complexity of web design and I am not a designer. He is trying to take advantage of the situation and that is crazy. You did the right thing by standing your ground!
Renee aka MekhisMoms last blog post..Who’s A Winner?
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Elisa,
You are too kind. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Elizabeth- I wish you were one of my clients. LOL. I promise not to blog about you. :).
I am glad that you are understanding when it comes to design. It is a complicated process that is easily taken for granted. Customers like you let me know that i made the right choice in deciding to do this full time.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Tom- you are right. However, I don;t consider coding in exchange for services working for free. However, I do think that it is important to provide those you barter with a time sheet so that they can see just how long everything takes.
As for 1/3 upfront and so on- GREAT ADVICE. Thank you.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Marlyn- you just gave me some of the best advice that I have ever received. Thank you so much.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Renee- thanks so much. Again, I love having my feelings validated. LOL. How is the little one?