c/client-horror-stories

A client in Phoenix told me my logo looked like a 'sad pizza slice' and I can't unsee it

I designed a logo for a new food truck, and the owner, Mark, said the abstract shape I made looked like a depressed piece of pepperoni pizza. I was so confused until he pointed out the curve and the little dot. I changed the whole color scheme and sharpened the angles, and now it looks like a cool sun instead. Has anyone else gotten feedback that was weirdly specific but totally right?

My biggest project ever ended with a client refusing to pay the final $5,000.

We agreed on a full website redesign for their Denver restaurant, and I delivered everything on their list. After launch, they said they 'weren't happy with the vibe' and stopped answering my emails. Has anyone gotten through a situation like this without taking it to court?

A client insisted on a 2 AM video call for a logo change, and I'm still annoyed.

They emailed at 1:30 AM demanding we hop on a call right then to discuss swapping a shade of blue, claiming it was a 'brand emergency.' I did it, thinking it was a one-off, but then they started scheduling all our check-ins for the middle of the night. Has anyone else had a client completely ignore normal business hours, and how did you shut it down?

Update: I thought giving a client a break on price would build loyalty, but the opposite happened.

I had a repeat client for my pet portrait work who asked for a 30% discount on a new piece because 'times were tough', so I agreed. After I delivered the final file, she posted it online and bragged to her friends about how she 'got me down' on my rate, which felt awful. Has anyone else had a discount thrown back in their face like that?

Just realized the client who promised a big budget for a website redesign was actually broke

They hired me for a $5k project, then after I sent the first mockup they asked if I could just 'install a free theme' instead. I found out from a mutual contact they're three months behind on rent. How do you even screen for this before signing a contract?

PSA: I used to think a client's 'vision' was more important than a contract

Three years ago, I did a full branding package for a cafe in Portland on a handshake deal, trusting their excitement. They ghosted me after delivery, leaving me out $2,800 and a ton of work. Has anyone else gotten burned by skipping the paperwork on a 'cool' project?

Finally started using a real contract template instead of just a handshake deal

I mean, after a guy in Charlotte refused to pay the last $400 for a driveway job last month, I switched to a template from my trade group. Has anyone else had a client try to ghost on a final payment?

Just had a client ask for a 'more purple' logo after I sent them the final files.

They literally sent back a screenshot of their monitor with a purple sticky note stuck to it. Has anyone else gotten feedback that wasn't even digital?

Had a lady bring in a poodle that was NOT a poodle

This was at my shop in Springfield about three months back. She insisted her 'rare teacup poodle' just needed a trim, but the dog was clearly a terrier mix with a totally different coat type. I tried to explain the cut she wanted wouldn't work, and she said, 'Just make him look like the picture I showed you.' I had to turn her away because I wasn't going to ruin that dog's hair. Has anyone else had a client who was just completely wrong about their own pet's breed?

Had a client in Portland ask for a full site redesign, then ghost me after I sent the mockups.

I mean, I spent like 15 hours on three different homepage concepts for their bakery site. They just stopped replying to emails after I sent the files, and it's been three weeks with no payment for the deposit. Has anyone else had someone just disappear after you did the initial creative work?

The $50 'good faith' deposit that saved me from a nightmare job

I used to just show up for a quote and hope for the best. After a guy in Mesa had me measure his whole yard for a custom fence, then ghosted me for three weeks, I changed my system. Now I ask for a small deposit before I even draw up the plans. It covers my time if they back out and shows they're serious. Has anyone else found a simple step that filters out the time-wasters?

Why does everyone think a free consultation means free work?

A potential customer in Tampa asked for a detailed site audit during our 30 minute intro call, then got mad when I sent an invoice for the actual project.

Can we talk about the client who wanted a full site redesign for $500

I met with a potential client in Phoenix who runs a small bakery and she straight up told me her budget was five hundred bucks for a complete new website with online ordering. I mean, I had to explain that just the secure payment setup would cost more than that, and she got really upset, saying her nephew could do it for less. Has anyone else had a client who just had no idea what things actually cost?

A client meeting at a coffee shop in Portland taught me to always bring a printed contract

I was meeting a new client at a place called Stumptown Coffee about six months ago. We were talking about a website redesign, and he seemed really into my ideas. I was excited and started giving him details on the spot. Then he asked for a 'quick favor' to just mock up one page so he could 'see my vision'. I did it on my laptop right there, which took about an hour of my time. When I sent him the invoice later, he refused to pay for that hour, saying it was just part of the pitch. I lost $150 and a morning of work because I didn't have our agreement on paper. Now I never start any work, not even a sketch, without a signed contract in front of me. Has anyone else had a client try to get free work by calling it part of the 'conversation'?

My mentor warned me to always get a 50% deposit from a new client in Phoenix, but I gave in when they pushed back.

They ghosted after I delivered the first draft of their website, leaving me out $2,500 and a month of work, so what's your best method for holding firm on payment terms without scaring off good clients?

Vent: A customer's 'simple' duct reroute turned into a three day crawlspace nightmare.

They insisted on keeping the old flex line, which had a tear I couldn't see until I was under the house, and patching it properly with mastic took forever. Anyone else have a job where the client's choice of materials added a whole extra day?

Vent: A client wanted me to change their website's font to 'something more blue'

I was on a video call with a marketing client in Denver, going over the final design for their new site. I asked for their feedback on the typography, and they got really quiet. After a minute, they said, 'The font is fine, but can you make it feel more blue?' I had to ask them to explain what that meant three times. They finally said they wanted the words to give off a 'calm, ocean-like vibe' without actually changing the color from black. This was after six rounds of revisions. Has anyone else gotten a request that made absolutely no sense?

Vent: A client in Scottsdale offered me $50 to clean their entire 4-bedroom house

They said 'it's just light dusting' when I got there and the place was a biohazard. Has anyone else had a client try to massively lowball you like that?

Finally got paid after a client ghosted me for a $900 logo job

This guy hired me for a logo, paid half up front, then went silent after I sent the first draft. I sent invoices for the other $450 every week for two months with no reply. Yesterday I got a random payment notification, no email or anything. Has anyone else had a client just pop up and pay after that long?

Just realized some people think 'unlimited revisions' means they can change their mind forever

I had a website project for a bakery where the owner kept asking for tiny tweaks (like moving a picture 'two pixels left') for six weeks after I thought we were done. I finally had to point to the line in our agreement that said three rounds of changes, which she said she 'didn't really read.' How do you guys make your revision limits super clear from the start so this doesn't happen?

Had a client in Austin ask for a full site redesign, then ghost me after I sent the mockups. It's been three weeks.

Honestly, I realized I was the problem when a client in Austin asked for a refund after the 4th revision.

I was doing web design and kept saying yes to every small change, like moving a button 2 pixels, because I wanted to be nice. The client finally sent a long email saying the constant tweaks made the site feel less professional and they lost confidence. So, am I wrong for trying to be too accommodating, or should I have stuck to my original plan from the start?

Warning: I saw a client's website at a coffee shop in Portland and the homepage was a mess

I was at a cafe on 3rd Avenue and saw a local bakery's site on their public tablet. The homepage had a huge auto-play video, no clear menu link, and the phone number was buried. I know the owner paid a firm over $5k for that site last year. On one hand, the client got what they paid for if they approved it. On the other, the designer should have pushed back harder on bad choices. Has anyone else had to fix a site after a client got terrible advice from their first web person?

Serious question, a client's offhand comment made me redo my whole intake form

I was setting up a new branding project for a bakery, and the owner said 'I don't get why you need my life story before we talk colors.' I realized my 20-question form was scaring people off... so I cut it down to just 5 key things. How do you figure out what info is actually needed upfront?

Rant: Client insisted on a specific grass type for their yard and it's a total mess now

Had a client in the new Maple Grove development who was set on planting a full yard of Kentucky bluegrass, even though I told him our soil here is too sandy and it needs way more water... He said he 'did his research online' and paid me to do it anyway. Two months later, half the lawn is brown and patchy, and now he's emailing me every day saying it's my fault. I even have the texts where I warned him. Has anyone else had a client ignore your advice and then blame you for the result?