I've been lurking quite a long time.

When I found out that I have a brain tumor behind my left eye, when I started to lose sight in that eye, I became a VA.

My first day was today, and I'm answering emails/phones, reference checking, posting ads, organizing a client's mess lol etc.

I had access to my client's emails today and I had asked if she minded I go through them since I wanted to learn more about her and grasp 'her voice'. I found out she really isn't very honest with her clients, and will often book up to 15 appointments with a client over months and months and not keep one. It seems like she copies and pastes her excuses - and it wasn't until JUST NOW 7:30p CA time that I've heard from her since having her sign the contracts. Unprofessional, right? Ugh...but I need the money as I need healthcare for my brain tumor.

Thankfully I was able to play it off...but what would you have done?

I'll be posting so many more questions

Hi Bailey (I think that is your name becuase I don't see your name!),

This sounds like a difficult client which can only cause more problems later on. Only you can decide whether you wish to continue with a client who is dishonest and does not communicate.

Although I understand that you have financial obligations given your difficult health issues, honestly, IMO no amount of money is worth the effort or the heartache from working with a difficult client.

If the client is running a dishonest business think about if this will affect your own reputation. You can't control what the client does on her own but you can control the work that you need to do for the client. If you will be asked to perform dishonest work, run, don't walk. This could be a huge legal issue if anyone catches on. Besides that, you are better than that and deserve to do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay.

I would suggest you speak to the client directly about your concerns. If you do not receive a reply, then you know where you stand.

In the meantime, create a list of what is an 'ideal client' for you. Most VAs require good communication from our clients so that would be at the top of your list. Concentrate on communicating only with those clients who are ideal.

Good luck!

Janine

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Bookings,

I completely agree with Janine and want to add that a client's reputation, even thought it is not your business, will certainly affect you. I would also wake sure I get some form of payment up front if you feel that she is operating dishonestly. She may be working you for your services too.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Hi Bailey, welcome to the forums
I can't say I'd stick around to learn more about a dishonest client. Ultimately you put your own business and reputation at risk. I agree with Janine, I hope you got a deposit and put a contract in place before starting work for this client. (That applies to *every* new client, regardless).

I know it can be hard to let the income go but you're wasting time on someone who obviously isn't invested in the relationship (she's not even invested in her OWN clients). Spend the time defining and locating your ideal client and you and your practice will be better for it in the long run.

Good luck!

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#1 Tess you ROCK
#2 YOU ALL ROCK - thank you so much!

While the details of this job are a little 'complicated', I was able to make SURE to get a contract signed from her. I found it thanks to THIS amazing, fabulous and generous (tess: aka accepting!) community and it covers every last detail.

Just the support and well wishes from you ladies I already know the right answer. The thing is, is that this woman is quite charming and beautiful - so anything bad that's said about her in our kinda community, gets immediately removed so working for her DOES make me look good...to most.

Honestly though, at the end of the day, I know the community of ours would back me any day of the week should she choose to go against our contract. I've recently just opened up to our community about my health condition, and I was very (i mean extremely) humbled by the response. I had no idea I was a lot of the other girls' role model and that they had gained so much insight just by my being apart of our community.

I am humbled 10x more here, as I have not had to give you anything yet you give advice so generously, and it's consistent.

Sorry for my ramblings, I'm just starting to appreciate things so much more after facing some of my own hardships. (wait - how did i get so off topic? )

While I don't have advice, I wanted to say welcome to the forums!

Sorry to hear about your health issue.

These forums are amazing. I am also starting out and am so thankful for everyone's generous postings. I hope as I get into this more I can help others here as much as this forum has already helped me.

Welcome Bailey! You will find VAF to be so very helpful. Hang in there. ALSO I am sure you have heard this B4 - but try to stay away from STRESS (the real evil monster in all of our lives)

So, I still haven't heard from her! She gets her alerts for her credit card sent to her emails, and I just found out she's in NEW YORK! I'm in CA. Why does she not feel like I should know this stuff? I'm just being honest with her clients at this point, and letting them know I'm actually quite concerned. I have not told them that her CC has gone from a balance of 2k to $30 in 2 days. I really hope she's safe!

I don't really know how to counsel you on this one. I don't care if my client is in NY and I am in NV as it does not affect my ability to be VA -- if it did I would surely want to know. I believe in totally honest and open relationships (I actually tend to be TOO open). It is tricky if this is the client who is missing appts -- and she is missing them because she is not in the area (and they must be in person...?...)

You refer to "her" clients .... I wonder re confidentiality etc. regarding "your" client -- as you are in direct contact with "her" clients

This looks to be really messy -- I fear for you because it looks as though her actions may reflect negatively on YOU. ALSO what is her reputation re paying?

Hope you aren't investing in a pile of crap that can't even be used for fertilizer...

Good luck - and please let me know how this comes out

Welcome! I'm sorry about your eye. I'm sure you will get a lot of your questions answers and develop a lot of good friendships with people here.

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Angela Samuels
AuthorVirtualAssistant.com