the Deposit
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- Abominable
I'm meeting with a new client and typically ask for 50% deposit before i start a freelance job.
How many of you do the same with new contacts? And does "before" for you truly mean before you begin working on the project or some time in that first week or two?
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
- robotron3k0
I usually will meet with a client for 45 minutes to discuss the project for free. Then, if we agree, I make them sign a "one pager" contract and pay 1/2 down to start. Else they get nada, nor do I give them any more consultations unless they pay.
- johndiggity0
i do 1/3 up front, 1/3 after design is approved, and 1/3 upon delivery and usually don't start until i get a signed copy of he contract and the first check in the mail.
- spl33nidoru0
I also always do a 50% retainer, even with regular clients who got used to doing it this way with me.
I meet with the new client and we discuss the possibility of working together, i never do free mockups, and i only effectively start working on the project once the retainer is on my bank account.
It's very critical that you make the client understand that the transfer books your time on his project. Until the transfer is effectively processed your time "belongs" to other clients (even fictional...) who went through the same process. It's only fair and it's a simple rule easy for any client to understand.
Until it's on the account you don't even spend a minute on the project. Once it is they have all your attention.
Experience has proven that whenever I failed to do so, i spend the first weeks between working without motivation and chasing the client daily to check if said retainer had been paid. Ultimately it makes the job/project suck big time as it creates a shity relationship from the start.
Hope this helps!
- spl33nidoru0
ah also.. delivery of the final files after the balance is paid. always, whatever they tell you their policy is.
they want it on time, they make sure they transfer the balance early enough.
you gotta educate your clients, even more so in NYC or you'll end up working non-stop and not even making rent.
- -scarabin-0
i demand 50% up front so i know they mean business and then 50% on delivery to motivate me to actually do it
if i got it all up front i'd just spend the money and feel like i was working for nothing (so i'd put it off forever)
- brains0
50/50 or 33/33/33. The divine ways.
- nocomply0
I never do any work until I get an initial down payment.
With a client I may not fully trust I do 50% upfront and 50% upon approval.
For others (friends, family, people I know and trust) its often 33% upfront, 33% upon comp approval, 33% upon launch.
some of the best advice my dad ever gave me was "It's better to not work and not get paid, than to work and not get paid."
Take that to heart ya'hear??!!
- Abominable0
excellent advise from all. nice to see that there's somewhat of a consensus too.
just to clarify, "on delivery" means before you transfer those files or net due in 30 days. "Our accountant will take care of this right away," etc.?
- waynepixel0
Quick question. How did you go about producing the contract, did you get a lawyer to product one. Or did you write the contract yourself and then pass it onto a lawyer to finalise.
- spl33nidoru0
just to clarify, "on delivery" means before you transfer those files or net due in 30 days. "Our accountant will take care of this right away," etc.?
Abominable
(Aug 8 07, 03:00)before delivery (for me), meaning I need to have the final payment before I give the final work.
just like you pay for your tv before you plug it at home.
- chossy0
we ask for 50% before we start working on things but typically we can perhaps work for a day or two on it but the client would not get anything to look at until they gave us the dollar dollar bill y'alllllll.
- spl33nidoru0
some of the best advice my dad ever gave me was "It's better to not work and not get paid, than to work and not get paid."
Take that to heart ya'hear??!!
nocomply
(Aug 7 07, 21:42)so true.
- Abominable0
you guys are badass. thanks.
- dusty_shackle0
i thought this thread was about something else.
like sex.
and i was like a deposit of what?
anyway, i have them pay 25% upfront and then a percentage during each milestone. I do no work until I have some money. but thats just me. male prostitute. and never kiss em on the lips!
(I learned that from Pretty Woman)