How to discuss a nightmare client without slandering them.

Question

How to discuss a nightmare client without slandering them.

tmoe (Civil/Environmental)

(OP)

29 Sep 15 15:33

I have my first official client from hell. No need to go into details of it, but this simple $5k seismic retrofit project has been drug out by the client for months. She is EXTREMELY hard to work with, requesting multiple (unnecessary) changes, extremely late on payments, refusal to pay for additional services beyond the contract stipulations, etc.

Months ago she asked for some names of contractors so she could get some bids. Against my better judgment at the time I gave her the names of some guys I've worked with before and know to do good work. They are now all calling me regarding the project with the same basic question.... "Whats the deal with this client, they seem hard to deal with"

I already told one contractor a few weeks back that "I'm sorry, I cant take phone calls on this project right now as there are some billing issues we are sorting out at the moment".
My way of saying she is 2 months behind on payment, so I don't have the time to talk about it.

What can I say to these ppl that will give them fair warning with out being too damaging to the clients reputation and opening us up to slander?
I need to say SOMETHING, because if I don't my company will look bad for suggesting such an awful client. Is it safe to simply say "They have been VERY hard to work with" ??

MintJulep (Mechanical) · Answer 1 · 2015-09-29 15:40:59

"I've given your contact information to a client. It's up to you to decide if you want to work with them."

Nothing more. If pressed, just repeat "It's up to you to decide if you want to work with them."

miningman (Mining) · Answer 2 · 2015-09-29 17:27:49

I had a vaguely similar situation many years ago when buying a house and my realtor gave me the business card of a mortgage broker he recommended. A few weeks later, this broker's name came up inn discussion and my realtor asked did I still have the card. Opening up my wallet I pulled it out and then watched my realtor tear it up in front of me and explained why he was no longer willing to be associated. You might try the same tactic, along the lines "I'm now sorry I made this referral" No need to elaborate, no slander implied, but your colleagues should be able to read between the lines.

MacGyverS2000 (Electrical) · Answer 3 · 2015-09-29 18:34:25

"Good conscience no longer allows me to recommend this client." rednose

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

TehMightyEngineer (Structural) · Answer 4 · 2015-09-29 20:17:23

It's only slander if it's false. Stick to the truth and they can't win in a lawsuit.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com

MacGyverS2000 (Electrical) · Answer 5 · 2015-09-29 23:35:52

"They're deadbeats!"

Straightforward, not a lie, and can be both said and understood in under 2 seconds.

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

Ron (Structural) · Answer 6 · 2015-09-30 00:07:29

RE: How to discuss a nightmare client without slandering them.

Ron (Structural) 30 Sep 15 00:07

Slow pay. Nothing else required and it's true!

MintJulep (Mechanical) · Answer 7 · 2015-09-30 00:22:52

If things get into the hands of lawyers you will find that making generalizations from your specific experience is unwise.

"They are a slow pay." is not the same as "They were consistently late in paying my invoices."

monkeydog (Aerospace) · Answer 8 · 2015-09-30 17:54:49

"I don't know if it is me or them, but it does not appear to be a good match."
They know you.

BUGGAR (Structural) · Answer 9 · 2015-10-01 00:30:17

RE: How to discuss a nightmare client without slandering them.

BUGGAR (Structural) 1 Oct 15 00:30

What does your termination clause say?

RolMec (Mechanical) · Answer 10 · 2015-10-16 05:51:09

It's not only the pay, it's also the twisting and delaying and the stiffneckedness and whatnot.
So you perhaps don't know which card has been played with your guys / in each case and it is best not to mention any specificalities which might be not applicable.
officially tuned bus.- com would call out sthg on the lines of
"Concerning this project, due to various client related circumstances, we need(ed) to reconsider our business partnership. As we introduced you to this project, we deem it to be the good order to inform you accordingly." We = commercial entity, not an I / Me of the private person itself.
In short, if it's a guy you can approach on the direct:
"Keep away (for now), don't follow me there anymore."
But then, are you sure you found the right base of communication with this specific client? Do you have a standard approach which might not be working with everyone? Perhaps the business is not yet lost, but need a reconfiguration of the commercial framework.

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How to discuss a nightmare client without slandering them.