Client Frustration

[Marty]

I'm getting a little frustrated with my first client as a
professional programmer. I want to put the finishing
touches on it, but I can't seem to make them totally
happy. This becomes expensive for me after a while. How
do I go about putting a smile on it, and making them
happy without costing myself another 50 hours of
programming time?

I know it's my first client, and I should be willing to
go the extra mile, but I've spent conservatively 500
hours on this project for a total fee of $2,000. There
has got to be a better way of making a living, I tell
myself sometimes. But I just LOVE doing it (the
design). Any advice out there?

 

[marty]

-----Original Message-----
It depends on what it is they are complaining about. If nothing satisfies
them, simply offer to sell them the code/design whatever, and they can do it
themselves (perhaps thatsd just the Brit in me, who knows).

--
Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group CEO
www.it-mate.co.uk



.
They aren't complaining at all. They just see things

through their lens, and if they have the time they will
get around to it. The client is a dry cleaning
operation, and I've spent 500 hours on this. Today, I
was scheduled to train one of their employees to work on
the system. She had work to do which pre-empted me. I
spent another 4 hours on a futile attempt waiting for her
to dry clean somethig, or such. I sort of think that the
client could be more aware of the time it takes me to
wait around, drive, or whatever it takes, and write the
code, too. But I can't piss him off. Further
suggestions?

 

[Steven Burn]

You can always mention things without fear of offending him/her/them. Aslong
as you are professional in your explanations, there should be nothing they
could be offended with.

--
Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group CEO
www.it-mate.co.uk

 

[Debi]

I totally understand your frustration, all of us have been
there (some still are) I will share with you some things I
have learned over the past 8 years of doing web design and
such.. Be sure to have a clear, concise contract..I always
submit a detailed proposal of what the job entails and
include it with the contract.. that way everyone is clear
on what to expect..(bearing in mind you're explaining to
people who don't have your level of expertise).. Also I
always get 60% of my payment up front and 40% on
completion, the 60% is estimated to cover my actual time
(or costs of sub-contracting) that way I know my expenses
are covered if they go south. With respect to wasting
time waiting for someone to meet with you... ABSOLUTELY
NOT! (Been there, done that).. I understand when you are
just starting your own business you want to make the
client happy (for fear there might not be any more)....but
the biggest mistake I see people make is to consider their
time valueless... don't do it.. trust me.. if you start.
it only gets worse.. your clients will come to expect that
you exist only for them.. and don't mind waiting around
till they have time.. they'll do the same thing with
payment if you let them.. Run it like a business.. you'll
get better clients and less stress in the long run and
they will respect your professionalism.. sorry to go on..
just some things I wish someone had pointed out to me..
Good Luck.