The Underscore Archives

If he's being unreasonable with you, perhaps get a third party to talk 
to him and mediate.  Perhaps they could go over the brief vs delivered 
system with him to help clarify what is needed.

Ed.

Steve Kirtley wrote:
> Evening all,
> 
> I took a client on a few weeks ago who later accepted my quote to build his
> website.
> 
> A significant chunk of the development time (around 70% of the overall cost)
> was for ActionScripting which I don't do, so I arranged a freelancer to do
> that piece of the work.
> 
> Now cut to a few weeks later - admittedly slightly behind the client's
> unrealistic deadline - a first proof of concept of the flash app (functional
> rather than designed) was sent to the client for first feedback. The client
> failed to see the functionality was there, and threw toys out of pram
> suggesting that the functionality does not match his brief (it does... and
> he signed off on that brief). All attempts to reason with him/implement his
> feedback/changes have failed.
> 
> Situation now is he's saying he doesn't want to proceed, has no faith that
> end product will meet his needs etc etc.
> I'm saying that cost to date will be charged. He's responding with 'no, I
> want my deposit back' and see you in court if you think that's the case
> style antics.
> 
> Now the crunch. Obviously my company has to pay the actionscripter we've
> used down in Brighton - he's done his job, it does match the spec and it's
> obvious he's put the hours in to it...
> 
> Now (shout fool now) I don't issue a formal contract, after legal advise
> suggested that they rarely pay for themselves, but the client has (by email)
> accepted the statement of work, signed off on the brief, and paid a 20%
> deposit. Do I have any comeback, or is this something that realistically
> will not stand up and cost more in fees to try and fight?
> 
> Any tips/suggestions/get over it statements welcomed...
> 
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Steve