Yesterday I had three emails from three different people, each wanting work done on their sites. One Individual failed to get back to me at all after I sent my reply, the second requested email addresses, phone numbers etc and still nothing, and the third, sent me an email questioning why my phone line wasn't working (line maintenance, but by the time I emailed back it had been completed) and surprisingly, I get no response.

 

It seems to me people are so hasty they can't wait an hour or two for a reply (Because, well, let's admit it, we don't check our emails every hour on the hour) that they either dump you or go with another party in the mean time. Additionally, I find it annoying how, people enquire seriously but have no intention of following it up.

 

/rant.

 

My first 'paying' client is now ignoring my e-mails. Damn me for not getting a deposit first.

It's all part of the game I'm afraid.

I hate playing the catch up with people and make them pay game. If I wanted to do that, I would have bayliff written on my business card.

 

:tv (2):

No, I love time wasters

Time Wasters are expected , just send template emails out requesting information and wait for them to respond and regarding payment don't lift a finger unless that cheque has cleared.

Additionally, I find it annoying how, people enquire seriously but have no intention of following it up.

 

 

I'm with you on that point. Is a total pain. Guess all you can do is really to keep the work momentum going, so that you don't have to be sitting around waiting on one client (okay potential client) to get back to you. I think some people just like enquiring about what you do, without actually intending on spending any money for the work. Guess this will happen a lot.

My first 'paying' client is now ignoring my e-mails. Damn me for not getting a deposit first.

If you get stuck with a bad debt consider using the small claims court; although only a last resort. It's very effective.

I admit they do hurt the morale, when you are like wooo-hoo someone is interested and then you hear nothing. I don't get excited or hyped up until I get that deposit in my PayPal account then I am ready to rock and roll!

There are clients who are just "window shopping" without having the intention of needing your design services. Sad to say it's all part of the freelance business. This actually happens to all types of businesses that offers services or products.

 

Always best to ask for a downpayment no matter how much clients "sweet" talk you that they will pay you promptly. They would rush you into sending them a quote but they would not reply. Sometimes you need to trust your "gut" feel. Had a client who wanted my services after sending them a quote for a website. The client wanted to meet me to discuss the contract since they find my quote acceptable and I did send them a sample mockup. But when I met with the client the meeting was just a storytelling session and no contract finalization happened. No downpayment. After a couple of days, the client emailed me and requesting for some designs and certain job tasks. I told him that we don't have a formal contract and a downpayment is needed. He used the overused line "payment is not a problem" "We will pay you" I decided to drop this client and move forward. I based my decision on the following:

 

• During our meeting, I inquired about how he gets his income for the past

years and he had no stable business yet.

 

• The website he needed was a start up, MLM type which had no assurance he

was decided on it since it's a big gamble

 

• He wanted us to meet at Starbucks Coffee. I noticed he did not order

coffee for himself. It gave me the impression he was the "stingy" or

tightwad type of person. I've had many clients who asked me to meet them

at Starbucks Coffee; who did not order coffee and later they were

difficult clients to collect payment from

 

• Lastly, his office was "empty" only had one secretary and no sign of them

being too busy.

The short answer - Yes they do!

50% deposit is mandatory for me now. No serious client will have a problem with that. The only clients that have a problem with that are difficult clients, or clients who don't actually have the money.

 

Let your competitors deal with them