Comments on: The Tuesday Freelancer: Handling Client Disagreements with Grace

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 19:22:25 +0000

In reply to lwidmer. Great response.

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 17:24:32 +0000

Agree completely, Devon. I had a client recently who’d done just that — told me X on the phone, then somewhere in email it became X+2…I halted it instantly and referred to the taped conversation, which I offered to share with him so he could “point out where I might be confused.”

I don’t mind getting things wrong in my memory. I mind very much when it’s a case of the client trying to convince me I’m wrong when I know otherwise (and have proof).

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:39:48 +0000

This points up again why I do EVERYTHING in writing. And bill for phone time. I’m tired of people using the phone as a reason to change the terms. Everything is in writing. If we have a phone conversation, you get the notes at the end of it, with “if you understood any of this differently, please send written corrections/discussions within two business days. Otherwise, I will work per this documentation and our signed contract.” And if there is disagreement down the line, it’s “does this mean we’re changing the terms? Here is a copy of what we agreed to on X date. I’m happy to discuss additional terms and fees, if the project needs have changed.”