Another "what are people like" post

[UKBob]

If someone changes their mind, and doesnt want to do business after taking up hours and hours of my time, thats fine! Its normal for people to decide they do not need a web site developed (my line of work) for whatever reason, but why cant people (admitedly only a small minority) just say no, when they mean no

Instead, there is always a small smallering of clients who either dont bother to show up to meetings, and hang up when you call them when they decide not to do business? After they initiated contact with me, I hasten to add.

When did people loose the ability to stand up and say "Thanks for your time, but I wont be requiring your services" so that I can reply "Not a problem, good luck"

what are people like!

Admitedly, it really is only the small few, but being the decent sort myself Id like to string em all up, and slowly feed their tackle into my paper shredder (which has a cool patented cross-cut funtionality)

[softtop]

Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news. When they say no thanks, you can say explain the reason, what can I do differently to get the business? It's another turn of the knife, they are uncomfortable in doing it. The most common way is to say decision next week and then keep dragging it out until you give up. They won't want to give you the reasons because they maybe too personal. 68% of business is offered based on the fact they think the seller understands them. This is personal and cannot be judged by how good your cookies are or your spinning logo that only you can do. However, if they all said what they thought, the world would be a ruder place but at least we would know where to expend our efforts!

[rico]

I get a lot of that...

Rang up one 'client' the other day and the convo went like this..

"Hey. Just calling for an update on your creatives for your ad"
"eerr, I decided not to go ahead, I guess I should have called you"

[srebbe64]

It's called "running a businss".

[wtd]

srebbe64 said:

It's called "running a businss".

Or also called 'running a business' if you didn't have gin for breakfast

[UKBob]

rico said:

the convo went like this.. "Hey. Just calling for an update on your creatives for your ad" "eerr, I decided not to go ahead, I guess I should have called you"

and then

srebbe64 said:

It's called "running a businss".

What Rico said: yep, its just part of running a business these days. I get that from time to time, its normal (but also frustrating yes)

What isnt 'normal' though is when the client hangs up as soon as they hear your voice. Ive a few clients who owe me money, answer their phones happily, and when they hear its me the line just goes dead. especially when you have history, ie hours of meetings and talks, building project specs together etc.

What are they like... is all i can say.

[srebbe64]

UKBob said:

What isnt 'normal' though is when the client hangs up as soon as they hear your voice. Ive a few clients who owe me money, answer their phones happily, and when they hear its me the line just goes dead. especially when you have history, ie hours of meetings and talks, building project specs together etc.

Well if you're owed money that's another matter entirely! They'd be getting a letter from my lawyer if that were the case.

[UKBob]

srebbe64 said:

UKBob said: What isnt 'normal' though is when the client hangs up as soon as they hear your voice. Ive a few clients who owe me money, answer their phones happily, and when they hear its me the line just goes dead. especially when you have history, ie hours of meetings and talks, building project specs together etc. Well if you're owed money that's another matter entirely! They'd be getting a letter from my lawyer if that were the case.

I've had new clients do this as well as existing clients who owe money. My solicitor writes letters for me for free (we do a lot of work for them for free in exchange) and advises me to lick my wounds and move on. The hassle of taking anyone to court for less than a decent amount of money just isnt worth it.