WWYD: Annoying freelance client, or am I over reacting

[slackerinabox]

I quit the exciting world of payroll/time processing and am enjoying my new gig - it's a completely unrelated field and it requires a lot of time and focus (and I have 2 kids I pick up/watch part time), so I've never considered pimping out my xml spreadsheet skills, it's just not something I enjoy nor is it worth my time. A client from my old workplace contacts me everytime a major census is due for healthcare providers - my replacement at my last job has no idea how to work with these numbers so I've helped them out under a "send what you think my time is worth" basis, which has been peanuts at $400 for about 20+ hours of staring at spreadsheets removing stray periods and proofing last names... Tedious shit, all made worse because they expect my immediate attention.

I got a little upset the last time they send me something they had 6 weeks to submit 72 hours before the deadline. I helped them out and they were horrible to work with - 3 separate people ordering me around, asking me for updates, and then f*cking up whenever I ask them to fill in a data set. And bruised egos all along whenever I say something like "you really have to make sure there are no stray letters in this field" - someone gets defensive and there's an email chain of b.s.

So I asked that they give me advanced notice and they complied. THey emailed me the master sheet yesterday and I replied they'd have it after the weekend - now 3 people are trying to convince me to get it to them by this afternoon so that they can have my notes read and processed today.... I'm very much considering burning a bridge here because it's a field I don't care about, and sending back their piddling $200 check .. WWJD? Or if not Jesus, Bob.. WWBD?

 

[IronWing]

Walk away with a polite email explaining that you cannot meet their deadline with a quality product. Alternately, raise your rates to the point that you giggle every time you think about doing work for them.

 

[highland145]

Bob, that's me irl, would quote them a wage equal to the job they want done plus an up charge if there's a short deadline or if they bug the crap out of me.

That'll learn 'em.

 

[Elganja]

you need to charge them a whole lot more IMHO

 

[slackerinabox]

Asking for either $1,000 for what they gave me $400 for before, or I mail them their $200 prepayment back and will wish them well on their way. Sounds harsh but .. not to be racist but imagine a team of russian gymanstics coach types, high stress for no reason, firm deadlines out of thin air, high on ego and low on patience or competence. They'd demand phone calls in the middle of the day after I explained I work a full time job during the day and.. argh..

 

[Rifter]

Charge them hourly rate at what you think your time is worth. they will either pay what it takes or move on.

 

[Tweak155]

I don't see a problem telling them a number that makes it worth your time. If they aren't willing to pay it, nothing lost. I wouldn't accept work I don't want to do under reasonable circumstances.

Just don't overshoot for the sake of overshooting... pick a number that makes it worth the effort because if they only go "I'll give you 90% of your request", you should be happy saying no because you asked for what you thought was fair.

 

[mikeymikec]

Walk away with a polite email explaining that you cannot meet their deadline with a quality product. Alternately, raise your rates to the point that you giggle every time you think about doing work for them.

+1

It's either got to be worth the hassle or not. All signs point to 'not', unless the pay is sufficiently rewarding. Half the point of being freelance is you get more choice about the work you do and who you do it with/for, at least that's half the reason why I became self-employed.

 

[rstrohkirch]

You should continue to let them take advantage of you.

 

[highland145]

lol

 

[slackerinabox]

You should continue to let them take advantage of you.

Haha thanks for putting things in perspective quickly. Sent my offer, theyre cheap so I doubt they take it, good riddance

 

[GrumpyMan]

I do something along those lines, would not charge a penny under $2500.00..

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Uh, set an actual hourly consulting rate instead of the "send what you think my time is worth" arrangement? Why would you ever agree to that? Tell them $100/hr minimum and see what happens.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Saying "pay me what you think it's worth" is silly. Pick an hourly rate, and make it higher for high-stress rush work. Keep increasing it when they make the work harder than it should be.

A company I worked for as a software developer was bought out by a larger company in another state (California). They asked me to fly there to interview for a position but I had no interest in moving so I declined. Later they asked me to do some maintenance work on the main application. I charged them $100 an hour.

It was a better deal for them than hiring a $80K+ plus developer, and I got paid enough to not mind losing some evenings and weekends. Win-win.

 

[lxskllr]

Charge more, and tell them "I said AFTER the weekend. That means after the fuckin' weekend". Worded exactly like that. You're the boss. You make the rules, and they comply. If that's not acceptable, they can go somewhere else.

 

[Genx87]

I ran into one of these a couple years ago. Got the run around for weeks. Then nothing for months. Then they come out of the woodwork needing help. I didnt want to deal with them so told them the hourly rate changed. I put it at a number that made it attractive for me to put up with their crap. Remember you are the one in demand here. Anyways they tried to convince me to come down and argued their original offer was a fair rate. I told them I would ask around and see if anybody was willing to work for that rate and never contacted them. Last I heard they had a mess on their hands lol.

 

[Ns1]

Sounds like you need a rush processing fee.

 

[PowerEngineer]

I applaud you for being willing to help your former employer through a transition period following your departure, but it does seem like they are treating your help as a workable new status quo. If that is what they want, then they should have to fairly compensate you for it. Frankly, I would be looking for compensation in the range of $150-$200 per hour.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Asking for either $1,000...

This. If your services are that valuable to them, charge them for the anguish. If it's not worth it to them, walk away and be glad.