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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?
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john5065mo ago
Man, that's the worst feeling. I got burned once and now my rule is non-negotiable. I explain the deposit covers my reserved time and materials before I even start, and that it's a standard business practice. If a good client pushes back, I just politely say I can't schedule the project without it. It actually makes you look more professional, not less. The only people who run from a 50% deposit are the ones who plan to ghost you.
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claire_craig325mo ago
My first freelance client in Austin talked me down to 25% upfront. Honestly, I spent weeks on a logo they just took and ran with. Now my contract locks the final files until the last payment clears.
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tarar385mo ago
Hey @claire_craig32, been there. I started using watermarked previews only until full payment. That saved me last time.
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cora8133mo ago
Wait, that's $2,500? A whole month of work? I mean, I know freelancers get burned all the time but that's a brutal hit. I honestly can't believe they just ghosted after you handed over the draft like that, it's so disrespectful. Maybe it's just me but I feel like any client who fights a deposit that hard is already waving a red flag, you know? Your mentor was trying to save you from exactly this situation.
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