I know things are getting faster and faster, but apparently, for 2011, I’m too slow.
I was recently contacted by a new business perspective – Kris (supposedly a referral – but she never said who). She called the hot-line number and since I was spending the day with my good buddy Dave from Wry Baby and a new friend, Leif from Kaloo, at the Toy Fair at the Javitz center (a black hole for mobile devices) she went to voice mail. In her voice mail, she explicitly requested to be contacted via email, the one that comes “free” with the ISP (who uses that for business?).
Anyway, here is the brief saga between Seth and Kris…
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 6:40 PM <- already after typical close of business.
Subject: follow-upHi Kris,
I’m following up with your voice mail regarding WordPress. I’ll be in my office tomorrow and you can reach me at the number below. I look forward to speaking with you about your project.
Thank You,
Seth
I thought my email subtly said I was done for the night and I would back at work in the morning and I would be happy to do business. Kris responds at 7:21, now early evening, the time when many are getting ready to think about what’s for dinner.
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 7:21 PM
Subject: WordPress sites / Re: follow-upHi Seth,
Monica will be calling you first thing tomorrow at the number you listed. There are several WP projects and she can give you more information than I can.
What do you charge on average to build eCommerce websites?
Thank you,
Kris
Now, admittedly, at some point in the evening I did see Kris’s email and I thought about responding, but didn’t. Here is why:
- It was after hours and I was no longer at work or performing work related tasks.
- I proposed a call in the morning and she confirmed, so it seemed we had a scheduled meeting to me.
- She asked a very loaded question that cannot be answered in a quick email.
At about 10:20 AM I got a call from Monica – as expected. We spoke for about 20 to 30 minutes and we wrapped up the call. The entire call ended up about layout of a new home page. Not once did we speak about programming or eCommerce, in fact it never even came up. The call seemed to be more of a DESIGN project – not a WordPress expert related issue. I felt good about the call and predicted I would at least get a follow up to see if we were the right fit. Nope. This is what I get back.
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: WordPress sites / Re: follow-upSeth, I am attending a workshop today… we’re on a morning break.
When I didn’t hear back from you on my last email, I contacted another programmer. I left a message for Monica informing her, but she didn’t get my message to not call you and that I secured someone else for the job.
Sorry for the confusion.
Thank you for your time,
Kris
Here is my response:
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 9:32 AM
Subject: RE: WordPress sites / Re: follow-upKris,
Wow – that’s really shocking. You emailed me at something like 7:30 pm and told me I’d be speaking with someone in the AM. It seemed really clear to me. Good luck with your programmer.
-s
And finally Kris gets in the last word, via email anyway.
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: WordPress sites / Re: follow-up
Seth,
I checked last night and again this morning (you are 3 hours ahead of our time zone) didn’t hear back from you answering my question:
“What do you charge on average to build eCommerce websites?” (see the email below) <- I’d like to add she actually bolded this and put it in blue.
Or confirming that you even got the email letting you know that someone else (Monica) would be calling you, so I contacted another programmer. I would have emailed you after the workshop today letting you know that after not getting a response from you, I moved forward.
Again, sorry for the confusion (Monica not getting the word to not call.)
The workshop has started again… break is over.
Best of luck!
Thank you,
Kris
I”m actually really glad Kris and I won’t be working together. Clients who are in that much of a rush are generally not clients that I like to do business with. When you think about it, Kris gave me less than 3 business hours to respond to her request before she was willing to not work with me and move on. That tells me she doesn’t actually value my services but just thinks of them as a commodity – just as good if not the same as the next guy. Quite frankly Kris, I resent your attitude and find it unprofessional. Being in the service industry is tricky – but hiring a service professional can be just as tricky. The client relationship is one of give and take. Clients who only take aren’t worth keeping around. Kris – I really do wish you good luck on your project – but I also feel sorry for the programmer. Keep your head up buddy and I hope they pay well and on time!
Leave a comment and let me know what you think. is the client always right or am I glad to not have this account to deal with?
