Just changed my mind about upfront payment after a coffee shop chat

I was at Cutbow Coffee last Tuesday grabbing a late breakfast and I overheard two freelancers talking at the next table. One of them said she lost out on $600 because she didn't ask for a deposit before starting a graphic design job. She figured the client was solid since they came recommended by a friend, but then they just ghosted after she sent the files. That story stuck with me the whole week. I usually do 50% upfront on bigger jobs, but I've been slacking on smaller ones under $200. Now I'm thinking I should just make it a rule for everything no matter the size. Has anyone else had a small gig turn into a headache because you skipped the deposit?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaretc429d ago

Skipping the deposit on those small jobs got me burned once too, never again.

cora_west59d ago

Small job turned into a big headache is just the universe's way of teaching you a $200 lesson, I guess. Learned mine after a "quick logo tweak" somehow turned into a month of unpaid revisions.

sullivan.quinn5d ago

right? it's always the "quick" jobs that end up being the biggest time sucks lmao. i swear the universe has a sick sense of humor like "oh you wanted a simple 50 dollar job? here's 60 hours of back and forth and a client who suddenly thinks they're a creative director." honestly i think the $200 lesson is a bargain compared to what some of us have paid in "learning experience" fees over the years lol. at least now you know to get that deposit upfront AND a signed scope of work before touching anything.