I finally figured out why that one client kept asking for changes on a finished logo

Had a client last month who made me revise a logo 8 times after the final approval. I was ready to lose it. Then I realized she kept asking for tweaks because she didn't want to pay the remaining 50% balance. Learned to collect full payment upfront or at least 75% before sending the final files. Has anyone else dealt with clients stalling on payment by pretending to want more edits?

3 comments

3 Comments

fionanguyen3d ago

I heard a story from another designer on a podcast who said clients like this usually have a psychological block about paying the final invoice. They start nitpicking because it feels like arguing about design instead of admitting they don't want to hand over the money. Eight revisions after approval is insane though, you have way more patience than me. I started putting a clause in my contracts that says final files release after full payment, and any edits after approval cost extra per round. That stopped the stalling real quick for me.

lilyt233d ago

The "psychological block" part really hit home for me. I had a client who kept asking to "tweak the kerning" on a wedding invitation after I'd already sent the print-ready PDF. She did it seven times. I finally figured out she was just buying time because her husband was the one holding the checkbook and she was embarrassed to ask him for the money. Started collecting 100% upfront after that and put a hard limit of two revision rounds in the contract. Never looked back.

finleym373d ago

Are you really sure it's that deep though? I mean, some people are just picky and indecisive. My buddy runs a print shop and deals with clients who change their minds about colors and fonts like they're swapping socks. It's not always some grand psychology game about money. Sometimes people just don't know what they want and get nervous when it's final.