How to avoid a client you don't want

[chrispy179]

Maybe establish some relations with smaller "budget" studios where you can forward clients that don't fit your studios budget to them, and perhaps work out a fair fee for handing the work to that studio. Therefore the smaller studio gets work, you make a small profit, and you don't have to deal with that client. Thoughts?

[LogictheMadcondu]

Originally Posted by bobsandifer

I refused to book studio time for Joe Riz (the Too Short Dude) and he threatened to get on MARTA and come beat my ass. I think we are ok now. I still get a bit nervous when a bus pulls up though

I just use the Booked excuse. If they ask for the next open slot I just tell them they have to pay in advance for the session to reserve it. That stops everything. WAIT !.........did you hear a bus?

I wish a client would. We don't take kindly to threats at my studio or any other type of aggressive behavior.

[Mudnoc]

Originally Posted by bobsandifer

I refused to book studio time for Joe Riz (the Too Short Dude) and he threatened to get on MARTA and come beat my ass. I think we are ok now. I still get a bit nervous when a bus pulls up though

I just use the Booked excuse. If they ask for the next open slot I just tell them they have to pay in advance for the session to reserve it. That stops everything. WAIT !.........did you hear a bus?

Funny.... I had about the exact same experience with the same client earlier this year.

[oldeanalogueguy]

Originally Posted by chrispy179

Maybe establish some relations with smaller "budget" studios where you can forward clients that don't fit your studios budget to them, and perhaps work out a fair fee for handing the work to that studio. Therefore the smaller studio gets work, you make a small profit, and you don't have to deal with that client. Thoughts?

after you send a PITA client
they wont deal with you again
and you will need to worry that they may be out to get even

[jonathan jetter]

Originally Posted by chrispy179

Maybe establish some relations with smaller "budget" studios where you can forward clients that don't fit your studios budget to them, and perhaps work out a fair fee for handing the work to that studio. Therefore the smaller studio gets work, you make a small profit, and you don't have to deal with that client. Thoughts?

i dont know about this.

i don't ask for finders fees when i send work to my friends. the goodwill that's established will pay for itself.

maybe if i was sending someone a project with a $20,000 budget, i wouldn't mind a kickback. but like....i'd usually be taking that gig for myself.

there's also a big difference between "a client who can't afford my rate" and "a client who i don't want to deal with, period." i wouldn't steer someone like that to a producer or engineer who i know and respect.

in general, for me, i quote a higher rate for work i don't want to do.

and i very occasionally will pas on a gig that i really don't want to do.

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by jholt57

Close the business and work on your own projects. Less overhead. Fewer threats to your safety. Much more money in the bank. Now I can afford to take Rick to lunch!

Strapping on my feed-bag.

[Strange Leaf]

I think it's best to be honest about it and explain that since you don't feel for this project, they should find someone else. I don't see the problem saying that to someone.

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by chrispy179

Maybe establish some relations with smaller "budget" studios where you can forward clients that don't fit your studios budget to them, and perhaps work out a fair fee for handing the work to that studio. Therefore the smaller studio gets work, you make a small profit, and you don't have to deal with that client. Thoughts?

Asking for a finder's fee out of the studio's rate is a quick way to make an enemy of that studio. Tack it on top of the studio's rate if you can pull it off, fine, then it's you're ripping off the client and making an enemy of them instead. Depends on who you want to piss off.

[RitterClan]

I used to work at a lumber store and had a know PITA customer come in for a quote on special order materials. I quoted her an extra 20% to dissuade her but ended up winning the bid anyway. Turns out our competitor had quoted her an extra 30% plus a $100 "b!tch fee". (know the guys outside of work)

Moral of the story? If you are going to use higher rates to dissuade a PITA client, make sure it will be worth your time. They just may bite. Also, knowing how to deal with people and setting expectations ahead of time (preferably in writing) works a lot better IMHO.

[Arthurelletson]

Originally Posted by oldeanalogueguy

just say no

triple your rates
make them pay in advance

call in sick and send some incompetent person to deal with them

This has happened with me before, with me as the incompetent person...
A few weeks later I was refusing to work with him!!

[s2_Audio]

Simple really, use semantics:

A customer is someone who brings profit and goodwill to your business. When the Lil B words start to cost your business money ...soft or otherwise, they are no longer "Customers". Fire their ass.

Ninja Gandhi* The invisible art of Recording Studio Philosophy