I've HAD IT. (Seraph Snaps, long post)

[Seraph]

forty ? 4 x 10? .4x 100?
What?
Ok. Since I'm Web-Ignert, what WOULD 40 get? Lets say I have 40 bucks. I want a face/frontpage. I want a title, and a menu of about/contact/our products. Would 40 pay for that?

Probably, but it'd look like Geocities, just about, to be perfectly honest.

[fireheart]

PM'd you, for in case you really simply must destroy your corneas.

My corneas are fine.


Those are good. Like, if I saw that website, I would damn well buy their stuff. They look great and you deserve the rates you charge.

[Der Cute]

Probably, but it'd look like Geocities, just about, to be perfectly honest.

Hehe I'm old enough to remember Geocities. Ok, that gives me some kind of reference.
I have seen a few websites 'selling' templates for basic webpage fronts. IIRC, those templates (super uber basic) were a couple hundred each. Monochrome background, basic horizontal menu, and a big picture spot in the middle.

He's got some chutzpah for saying $40 for your stuff. Tell him "I'm not the Wal-Mart of web design."

[Kristev]

True enough. Quality costs more. It always has, and it always will.

[MaseMan]

I know exactly where you're coming from. Many "customers" just don't get supply and demand and how price ties into it.

I co-own a small group of fitness centers. We relocated one center this past summer, to a space that was more than double the size of the previous location, added new equipment, etc. Shortly after relocating, we announced we'd be raising prices a whopping five bucks a month. We gave about two months notice for this.

Most people were fine with this, a small handful quit, a few complained and stayed, but mostly everyone was fine. I had one guy though, that was a real winner. Came in, complained, loudly; tried to make a scene. I ended up calling him the next day.

I politely explained that I appreciated he didn't like the price increase, but we had additional expenses now and it was justified. He didn't like this. After a bit more talking, I bluntly told him, "We have people kicking down our door left and right to join. We're fully justified in raising prices right now." His response? "I don't believe you...if you had that many people joining, you wouldn't have to raise your prices!"

Some people just don't get it.

[PepperElf]

"How can my prices be too high if my sales are doing well?"

not to mention "how can it be too high if your traffic doubles after you use my site?"

Never apologize for your prices.

This makes me think of my favorite backpack company. they admit upfront that they're expensive. but their stuff also *lasts*... and it's 100% made in the US and is under warranty for the life of the product (even if you resell it).

They make no apologies for the prices and instead validate why it's worth the money.

[veniteangeli]

"This is not Burger King, son! You can't have it your way!"

[Pixilated]

In my program last year, we had to create a web page ... mine looked exactly like you would expect a complete neophyte's to look. The fact that the links actually led somewhere was as much due to luck as anything else.

Even the teacher said, "If you are building a website for a business, HIRE A PROFESSIONAL."

[Seraph]

And yet, this whole rant didn't even remotely make it to my current client, who just flipped out on me and stated he won't be paying the other part of his invoice, because he's decided I'd better include the logo design for free, because he's not paying.

Already posted in the site owners group that if anyone wants a really nice logo, they can pick it up on the cheap. I'll sell it at half price to someone else, just to make a point to him.

[MoonCat]

Is this just ignorance, or more stupidity and cheapness? Seems like a lot of people assume that because you can go online and find a lot of junk for free, buying a website from a professional designer shouldn't cost that much. There's such a huge gap between free/cheap and quality, though.

Hell, I can go out and buy a lot of scrap wood and cheap nails, but that doesn't mean I can build a decent house with it.

[Titi]

I think that you should also inform them of the amount of client support that you give. Didn't you just catch a bunch of people trying to scam one of your clients? That alone should be worth MORE than you charge.

[rose_metal_nz]

And yet, this whole rant didn't even remotely make it to my current client, who just flipped out on me and stated he won't be paying the other part of his invoice, because he's decided I'd better include the logo design for free, because he's not paying.

Uh, that would be THEFT, wouldn't it?

[MournBlade]

And yet, this whole rant didn't even remotely make it to my current client, who just flipped out on me and stated he won't be paying the other part of his invoice, because he's decided I'd better include the logo design for free, because he's not paying.

Holy Crapcakes it never ends.
He pays half he should only get half of your work and by that I mean retract about half of the code work on his site that he has not paid for and give it back when you have been fully paid.
If it was only a logo he comissioned your idea sounded good. Or how about superimposing Nonpaying Cheapo over it in large red font?

[Seraph]

I think its driving the point home that I've already had three people on the group jump and ask if they can buy it. Current client has now sent me about four emails of "stop, i'll pay for it" "I'll take the logo" and etc.

I told him he needs to pay for it, and that if he doesn't want it, he needs to let me know so I can toss it up amongst the other people wanting to buy it. His loss, it's a great looking logo, for cheap already.

[PepperElf]

so now he's not just pwned... he might see his precious logo go to someone else, so he can sit at the computer wailing and gnashing his teeth watching someone walk off with what he wanted.