The good news – payment arrived from the client of two posts ago. The bad news – it’s partial payment that includes just the first invoice I sent. The remainder is still AWOL. I suspect I’ll get it in two weeks per the agreement.
In other news, I’m sick of the project. Why? Because I feel there’s too much lack of communication and more than a little dodging of my pointed questions. Despite several attempts to drag information out of them, I’ve no idea if I’m hitting the mark or what these new leaders expect that the old one didn’t. I’m tempted to drop the project right here and now, but in what I can only call a brilliant tactical move, they’re holding the other half of my cash hostage. For this, I’m beginning to hate them.
What I don’t want to do is work my arse off on this current project only to be hit with that disclaimer in the policy that mentions how my pay may be adjusted for any unacceptable work. It does, however, say that I will be paid only after approval, so I’ve got some legal recourse should they bail on paying me for the first project.
Yep, I’ve grown to mistrust them. Trust is hard-won for us freelancing types, and any aroma similar to the shaft gets the old back up instantly.
So here I sit in limbo. One the one hand, I have over half the payment for the first project. On the other hand, I have this sinking feeling that I’m about to be put through the wringer in terms of payment and acceptability of the work I’ve done to this point.
Grrr…..
Too many clients suck.
And they’re getting worse because of all these wanna-bes willing to underbid or work for $1/job and/or not demand professional behavior and payment.
Hope it all works out. Maybe when Mercury goes direct next week . . .?
Can’t WAIT for Mercury to save my butt! :))
It’s not that they suck, but that they use undefined loopholes to welch on payment. With some clients, there’s no such thing as honoring the commitment. It’s more about saving a buck no matter who they screw in the process.
Aw, here’s to better days and a good ending to this situation.
Smiles,
Michele