Comments on: Stand your ground

By: Figo Mago

Figo Mago — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:09:02 +0000

I’ve been down that road a couple of times. I lost my shirt once by agreeing to the “increased exposure” con.

It never pays to bow down to discount demands. It gives off the impression that you can be pressured for further concessions. Now I just smile and say ‘No’ politely until my tongue bleeds. Once in a while you will lose business, but they will respect you. And they will be back if they know that you do excellent work.

It makes me wonder. Do these same people Nickle-and-dime the electrician when their geyser breaks down? Or are many of our potential clients still naive enough to believe that websites and web apps are still non-core?

By: Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Mokokoma Mokhonoana — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:58:08 +0000

I just had a similar encounter with a client, I quoted and she had a problem with the cost estimate. I told her we could reduce the price to suit her budget, but she’ll have to kiss some features + functionality goodbye!

She ended up asking me to “sponsor” her website, basically I was supposed to design the website for free (as she gave me the “you’ll get a lot of exposure speech”).

By: Lorissa

Lorissa — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:32:56 +0000

Haha! Love the Haka. Do you recall the “response” of the Bokke in 1996 when the All Blacks came within inches of them? Classic! Of course, that entire final was brilliant.

But yes, you have to take a stand when clients try to bully their way in a project – whether with regards to money, time, or “extras”.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:20:13 +0000

@Darren: Haha. Glad you have the same opinion of the All Blacks rugby team as most of us South Africans do!