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A friend told me that perhaps I should just accept it and that he might pay more later

If he is not willing to pay more now I doubt he will change his mind in the future. Kudos to you for standing firm.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Lyn,
I agree, you should stand your ground. Accepting rates will have long term implications with that clients. Such as, they will always expect to pay you less, and most of all something your not happy with you should not do, especially if you have confidence your work deserves a higher rate and this thing only you can know.

Regards

I concur. If you get into that cycle, you'll get wound up everytime you see an email or get a phone call from them as they take a piece of the joy you have for your work away from you as well.

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Sabrina L. Williams
For a bird's eye view of your business

I sorted this problem out - I basically worked out the hourly rate he wanted to pay for a full day. I told him that if this was all he could afford per day, I would give him enough of my hours to fill his budget. So he now knows I won't be messed with. I am getting the hourly rate I wanted but he is getting less hours than he wanted. Does this make sense? and now he knows that I won't budge on rates for future reference. Also told him he has to pay up front

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http://frbusinesssolutions.co.uk

Lyn way to go! Just be sure you stick to your agreed hours - no "well, while you're here could you just ...". Don't let him gradually steal your time. Many will "try it on" for the same reason a dog licks himself - because he can lol

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

I am just getting started as a VA after having been a corporate admin for over 14 years and I was wondering about this. I was also questioning whether to post rates on my site and what to do in the event I was lowballed. This has been a very useful thread. Thank you and Lyn, I'm glad you stood your ground. Thank you for sharing your problem and I'm glad it worked out!

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&rea and Associates, LLC
"Dedicated to Helping Small Businesses Compete"

I think a lot of people hope you are so desperate for business that you will work for less. Way less.

dotyel said:

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I'll chime in on this one. I find I have to tread cautiously with friends and family members, even for their referrals. Often they expect unreasonable discounts (sometimes even free) for projects that take as much and often more than "regular clients". Church people can be especially troublesome.

I've had this problem too.

One friend, who recently signed up for SendOutCards, has emailed/called me at least 5 separate times asking for contact import/export help. She even had a client of hers call me direct once.

What really amazes me is when she's networking, she talks about SOC being a great appreciation marketing tool, & yet she has never sent me a thank you card.

Next time I'm going to call her on it.

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

Originally Posted by Lyn Doyle-Taylor

I sorted this problem out - I basically worked out the hourly rate he wanted to pay for a full day. I told him that if this was all he could afford per day, I would give him enough of my hours to fill his budget. So he now knows I won't be messed with. I am getting the hourly rate I wanted but he is getting less hours than he wanted. Does this make sense? and now he knows that I won't budge on rates for future reference. Also told him he has to pay up front

Do you offer discounts for purchasing blocks of hour on retainer? That might be one way to appease him and at the same time you'll end up with a set amount of hours per month. For example, if he wants 10 hours per month, offer him 5-10% off. People like discounts. Maybe that will get him excited.

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Paulette R.
Rhythm Virtual Solutions | Alpha & Beta Translations

Thanks for that Lynne - will definitely stick to my hours. Had a good chuckle over your message

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http://frbusinesssolutions.co.uk

I think the real problem is that a lot of companies or people know that they can get the same work for cheaper if they contract people from Indiana or other countries. They expect that Americans will work for the same amount since the economy is not the best. They feel like we should be happy that they are coming to us to offer work. That is the problem with a lot of these freelance sites as well. How can you compete with someone who is willing to work for under a $1 an hour? So I feel some of these businesses have that mentality "I want something for nothing" and if you don't want to work for that amount, I will find someone who will. And I say good luck to you!

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