How do you decide when a client is too particular?
How do you decide when a client is too particular?
(OP)
I have a client that I've worked with for several years. Recently, they have become far more particular with the reports than they used to. They are concerned whether I use full or left justification; the spacing at the top of the page, and exacting as to how their clients name is written out.
Worse, their standards change for every report and they don't provide the information up front. I'm finding myself revising it 3 or 4 times after original submission to satisfy their copy proofing department.
At what point do you decide they are too much trouble? I've enjoyed doing the work, but having reports kicked back multiple times for no valid reason is getting frustrating.
I'm not able to charge for the revisions. If I try to, it'll be the last time I do work for them.
Worse, their standards change for every report and they don't provide the information up front. I'm finding myself revising it 3 or 4 times after original submission to satisfy their copy proofing department.
At what point do you decide they are too much trouble? I've enjoyed doing the work, but having reports kicked back multiple times for no valid reason is getting frustrating.
I'm not able to charge for the revisions. If I try to, it'll be the last time I do work for them.





RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
Option 1: If anyone at the customer will listen, try to explain the situation and show data & proof of your position. Request a template that defines formatting etc., and get written acceptance & approval that you will submit documents that match their template. In your next proposal, state that you will submit reports to match their template. Anything else requires extra hours & charges.
Option 2: increase your prices to accommodate what you know will be multiple revisions. This option is similar to advice I was given once about how to do consulting work with GGGGGGargantuan EEEEEEngineering company. My friend's quotes offered X% discount if paid Net 15. GGGGGGEEEEEE company took discount, paid Net 120 no matter what. Friend continued to work with this company, but his new contract rates took into account all the Purchasing Department silliness.
Option 3: state clearly in your proposal that your reports are final when submitted unless data is wrong; re-formatting is not part of the deal.
Option 4: Well, that one is obvious.
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
When you are confident you can earn enough (open to definition of what you consider enough) money elsewhere for the foreseeable future.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
You need to have a clear conversation with them. Explain why their requirements are not reasonable if you are having to revise so many time without up front instruction.
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
I did one job recently that the contract said "full payment is due on submittal, and any revisions will constitute a new contract". They signed it. They wanted revisions. I showed them the contract and said "pay me and we'll talk about it". They paid and then paid a new contract for revisions.
You never get what you deserve, just what you negotiate.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
TTFN
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RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
Since you have a history with this inept outfit, you should be able to reconstruct what each past revision actually cost you. Start there.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?
You will probably end up sucking it up, but the point will be made.
RE: How do you decide when a client is too particular?