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.

4 comments

4 Comments

the_eric15d ago

Learned this the hard way a few years back. I stopped calling it a free consultation and now I call it a discovery call. I clearly say we will talk about their problems and how I might help, but any actual audit work is a paid project. It sets the right tone from the start.

wells.evan15d ago

That's not a consultation, that's a project.

david13415d ago

So what's the price difference?

finleym3713d ago

Saw a buddy get burned on this. He gave a free "consult" that turned into three hours of unpaid work. Now he charges a flat rate just to walk in the door.