Customers are Shit.

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   yep, bane of the self employed life...
most of the time we now ask them to set a budget, and we work to it - we can spend a £1000 worth of time or £50k worth of time for the same length on animation so we can usually get them to set how much they want to pay - still doesn't stop the 'could we just get some photorealistic animations in there too'?

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monsho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 08 Oct 04 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 3269	Post Options Post Reply Quote monsho Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 10:32
	yep, bane of the self employed life... most of the time we now ask them to set a budget, and we work to it - we can spend a £1000 worth of time or £50k worth of time for the same length on animation so we can usually get them to set how much they want to pay - still doesn't stop the 'could we just get some photorealistic animations in there too'?

Stu Dapples Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Ebenezer Geezer Joined: 05 Jun 07 Location: Eve of the Sham Status: Offline Points: 2623	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stu Dapples Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 10:13
	I'm afraid it is born from people wanting thigns they no little (or more often absolutely fuck all) about.... Most seem to think folk can do/ source/ supply stuff for nothing, its the way of the world....
	Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way when you judge him, you will be a mile away, and have his shoes...

rogerthecat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Vanorak official aa mascot Joined: 13 Aug 06 Location: on an AA wagon Status: Online Points: 8737	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogerthecat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 10:11
	With you all the way on this chaps. The most hated phrase in this office is "can it just..." Madra - the only way round this is a written and signed off spec, no matter how simple or how complicated - sets expectations.
	1986 Cabbage Patch Westy 1987 ScoobyVelle 1969 Karmann Ghia "Project" 2000 Polo 1992 Green Kona Cindercone Project Corratec Team Bow

madra Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Yardie Joined: 25 Jan 09 Location: mank-chester Status: Offline Points: 559	Post Options Post Reply Quote madra Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 09:54
	i fell your pain. i have had exactly the same problem many's a time, when i've done websites for people: CUSTOMER: so how much is it going to cost? ME: that's a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string question'. it depends what you want it to be able to do [i then embark on long explanation about the difference between cheaper static sites [ie. non-changing] and more expensive dynamic sites [ie. ones were content changes and moves about; forums, blogs, shops etc]]. THEM: oh. i just need a basic site. just a couple of pages with some pictures will be fine. ME: OK - that'll be £xxx THEM: fine [interlude: worky, worky, worky, worky - designy, designy, designy. show first version to customer] CUSTOMER: i love it! ME: great! CUSTOMER: just one thing.... ME: [thinking] here we feckin' go! CUSTOMER: i was thinking it might be nice if people could click on the pictures of the thingamyjigs and that would take them to a shop page, where they could buy them... and i think there should be a forum were they can discuss what are the best types of thingamyjig... and what if i want to change what it says on some of the pages? i'm going to be selling the new 'thingamyjig 2' when it comes out. how can i add that in? ME: [through gritted teeth] then you'd need a dynamic website. i explained the difference before we started and you said a static site would be all you need. CUSTOMER: well, how much is a dynamic site? ME: about £xxx+++ CUSTOMER: how much?! - why is it so dear? ME: because there's loads of programing involved in building a dynamic site. it takes ages longer to build. THEM: well, it's just that the site won't be much good without a shop, a forum and the ability to change the pages... could you make it dynamic for another £100 on top of what i already owe you?
	1993 LT35 2,4D hi-top my camper conversion blog: \|carry on herman\|

Chappy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Vanorak Arriba! Yii-hah! Joined: 08 Jul 07 Location: Chappyville Status: Offline Points: 3414	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chappy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 09:09
	Yep, whoever said the 'customer is always right' was either being ironic or was a customer. In my experience there are a lot of good and honest people out there, but other than them, it's more like 'the customer is always at it'

m666blp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Vanorak Dude Joined: 02 May 06 Location: where its at Status: Offline Points: 1158	Post Options Post Reply Quote m666blp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 08:58
	Me; "I estimate its going to cost £3500, But i'll work it on an hourly rate plus materials so its fair " Biatch; "ok, thats fine" "So we're half way through now , With all these changes its going to cost more, £500 - £1000 extra" "ok, thats fine" "Im , finished weather was awful!" "It looks fantastic !!, I'm really happy with it." " I'll invoice you today, and come and pick the cheque up" Nothing (9days Later) "can you confirm you have recieved the final invoice for £4225.00 ? " " I have £3700.00 , If i knew it was going to be £4225.00 I wouldn't have gone ahead"
	Shibby