Client doesn't get back to me?
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- randomname
I'm designing a catalog for a client.
I pitched the initial design, guy I was working for said he liked it, but had some comments before we went forward.
Then we scheduled a conference call, he stood me up. He offered an alternative time afterward, that I couldn't do, so I offered two other times, then followed up with a phone call and email when he didn't confirm.
He hasn't gotten back to me.
I was charging by the hour, which was stupid.
It's been one week, and he hasn't been in touch.
Do I send an invoice now? Do I call again?
- meffid0
Post it on QBN.
- moldero0
send him an invoice
- bored2death0
Send him a stripper gram.
- inteliboy0
Douche move not to get back to you, though one week doesn't seem like a long time? Wait it out.
- Josev0
Yeah, people get sidetracked with other things. I would send a follow up email to reschedule the call. You should put this in writing (that he liked the concept, scheduled a call but it didn't happen) to protect yourself. If you don't hear back from him THEN I would send an invoice.
- vaxorcist0
either he got sidetracked, or he got sidelined or his business changed direction..... wait a week, then check, if he's evasive, bill him and chalk it up to experience.... and trying to ask more gently probing questions at the beginning next time..... good luck!
- i_monk0
Assume he's gone out of business and contact one of those credit hounding companies.
- BusterBoy0
Follow his kids to school...
- jadrian_uk0
why did you wait a week?
- randomname0
I thought because it was his catalog, maybe he was busy and would get in touch. I wasn't going to call every day.
- vaxorcist0
Catalog... it could always be something random, like:
1. suppliers are delaying shipment, so catalog is out of mind right now
2. suddenly realizes his stuff maybe isn't going to sell, but he's not ready to throw in the towel totally yet...
3. client is randomly distracted by a sick parent in a nursing home,etc...who knows.....
- randomname0
^ I'm patient, and don't want to annoy him.
Just wondering if I should send invoice or just wait.
- registe0
you need more work if you're puppy dogging an hour of work and wondering about an invoice already
- gramme0
Do you have a contract? Do you have a kill fee? If it takes him super long to get back to you, you should be at liberty to fire him and collect your kill fee (however it's been negotiated).
Otherwise, I hope you have a good paddle and a strong back.
- randomname0
It's the clients responsibility to follow up right? After I've emailed my availability and gotten no response? It is work for THEM.
- Josev0
^ Yes, it should be, but it's not always the case.
I have a client who does this to me all the time. He needs things quickly then disappears. Usually I think the project is over but then he reappears 5 weeks later with an email full of changes and needs it turned around quickly. He started as a friend and the projects are small so I don't do much contracts-wise, although I should. This is his way of working and he's done it for 12 years.