Comments on: Handling Angry Clients http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/12/01/handling-angry-clients/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:43:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: nathan http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/12/01/handling-angry-clients/#comment-309389 nathan Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:44:04 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=5339#comment-309389 If a client tells you there's a high school student out there who can replace you, I can think of a decent couple of French words to reply with. But seriously, if anyone is that over the top, they're not worth the hassle, no matter what they might be paying. One of the biggest reasons I enjoy freelancing is not having some hotheaded boss who doesn't know how to control his emotions when dealing with things like this. I have, in the past, had a client who was normally a pretty cool guy go over the edge at one point and make some personal insults to me. I took the opportunity to remind him we hadn't reviewed our contract together in awhile and that I would be happy to do that. I got back to him later that day with a higher monthly fee and told him that it was contingent on him never acting like that towards me again. He hasn't since. If a client tells you there’s a high school student out there who can replace you, I can think of a decent couple of French words to reply with.

But seriously, if anyone is that over the top, they’re not worth the hassle, no matter what they might be paying. One of the biggest reasons I enjoy freelancing is not having some hotheaded boss who doesn’t know how to control his emotions when dealing with things like this.

I have, in the past, had a client who was normally a pretty cool guy go over the edge at one point and make some personal insults to me. I took the opportunity to remind him we hadn’t reviewed our contract together in awhile and that I would be happy to do that. I got back to him later that day with a higher monthly fee and told him that it was contingent on him never acting like that towards me again.

He hasn’t since.

]]> By: Web en Vrac #4 | Darklg Blog http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/12/01/handling-angry-clients/#comment-309372 Web en Vrac #4 | Darklg Blog Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:36:52 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=5339#comment-309372 [...] Handling Angry Clients [...] [...] Handling Angry Clients [...]

]]> By: Mike A. http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/12/01/handling-angry-clients/#comment-309324 Mike A. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:20:16 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=5339#comment-309324 Great advice, and especially relevant when the economy is the way it is; clients are a bit more sensitive these days. I try to rectify the problem ASAP and keep my cool. If you remain confident in your abilities, I find that in itself puts the client at ease. It also helps if you can avoid working for people that are difficult... Great advice, and especially relevant when the economy is the way it is; clients are a bit more sensitive these days.

I try to rectify the problem ASAP and keep my cool. If you remain confident in your abilities, I find that in itself puts the client at ease.

It also helps if you can avoid working for people that are difficult…

]]> By: concerned geek http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/12/01/handling-angry-clients/#comment-309323 concerned geek Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:52:38 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=5339#comment-309323 A rule I've found successful when this happens: agree with them heartily on the parts of their complaint they are correct about. If that seems like nothing, get more general until something works ("You are so right to insist that timeliness is crucial", etc.). A rule I’ve found successful when this happens: agree with them heartily on the parts of their complaint they are correct about. If that seems like nothing, get more general until something works (“You are so right to insist that timeliness is crucial”, etc.).

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