34 replies to this topic

[jehochman]

Point is, a contract isn't actually worth anything.

My sentiments exactly. Contacts are something people ask for so they can sue, but I have no intention of suing anybody. Keeping my word, and recording things with email is good enough for most people.

I guarantee to do a good job and that the client will be satisfied with the results or won't have to pay my bill. Each client has different needs, so the definition of "satisfied with the results" get's defined in a series of emails. If I set proper expectations, the client will be happy, and I will get paid. If I am careful to choose only clients who act in good faith, I will get paid. If I choose a bad client, then it's my fault if I don't get paid.

[arteworks]

for BigBill. Exactly why after graduating from law school I chose not to practice law. It's a farce.

[Debra]

I'd LIKE to be that trusting Jonathan, but I can't. I've found no matter how clear you think you're being, you can't be sure the other person hears it the same way.

If it's in writing, it's black and white. I find people are more comfortable with having that piece of paper than not. And I don't think it's an issue of trust, 90% of my work comes from referrals so I'm in a positive relationship with a new client to begin with.

Mega-Corp Intl. against a private individual with just above a Joe Sixpack income it's a bit of a joke.

Interesting way to look at it. I would have thought the opposite was true. The big corporation usually pays it and walks away, they have the money and don't really care. It's the small guy who sticks his tongue out and says - "so sue me, I got nothing anyway so I'm not paying".

[jehochman]

It's the small guy who sticks his tongue out and says - "so sue me, I got nothing anyway so I'm not paying"

Absolutely right. I'm not so trusting, either, I start with a small amount of work and let the client prove that the are reliable. What they can burn me for is way less than the cost of chasing them. Besides, an emailed Statement of Work, "I will do thus, and you will pay that," with a confirmation from the other party is equivalent to a contract.

Edited by jehochman, 05 August 2006 - 06:47 PM.

[qwerty]

That's pretty much how I do things. Since I bill weekly and by the hour, the client knows exactly what they're paying for, and it's just a matter of going from giving each other the benefit of the doubt to trusting each other. If things go well, I'll even let them start paying me monthly instead of weekly