What to charge?

[Jim Guinn]

Hi Ana,

For some reason I missed your post from Oct 23 and haven't been back to this thread since...until it "lit up" again with the Nov 28th posts of yours and Steves.

This experience may not have turned out the way you wished or wanted (what a nightmare...subbing to someone who did a lousy job!), but in the beginning, there will be "learning experiences".

Don't let this experience get to you. I had some horrendous experiences when I first started. Take it in stride and learn from it. As Steve said, you are on the right track. Now, go out there and get that next job!

Jim

[expatana]

Thanks a mint, Jim! I'm actually finished everything now, submitted to him, sent along my invoice ... then, after our initial agreement that he send me a check, he demanded a Paypal link! So now I have to pay *them* a percentage of a small fee.

So ... I upgraded to Premier, had them request payment and I haven't heard from him yet. He'd better pay on time.

I've decided when he pays I'm going to sell myself on editing his websites, too. But I'm not sure how to get in, or how to tell him I'll do it (does he put all his content in a Word doc, etc.?).

Steve, I have no idea what you're talking about, sorry. I don't know what a text editor is. I was talking about formatting in Word, not html which I know nothing about.

Ana

[Jim Guinn]

Hi Ana,

If a client wants to pay me with PayPal, 2CO, wire transfer, or other form that will incur a fee on my side, I tell them they will have to pay the fee. My fee is for my work, not a third party payment provider. I have yet to have someone complain.

Take a look at his website. Find 1 or 2 "problem areas" and explain to him how these can be better written/expressed. If he likes your first work, that should sway him.

If you get the job, you can always just cut-n-paste his web pages into word docs for editing.

Jim

[LeelaCosgrove]

Ana,

NEVER let clients hold you to ransom like that! Especially if you're considering doing more work with them in the future.

Outline your terms upfront ... on your quote - i.e. Terms are 7 days via either cheque or direct bank deposit.

Then if they ask for your paypal details, tell them those are NOT your terms - and demand they pay as agreed.

If you let clients (or people in general!) push you around, they'll take advantage of you as often as they can ... to develop an ongoing relationship that will work, you need to demand his respect.