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Took the advice to always get a 50% deposit and it backfired with a small local business
Everyone says get a deposit upfront to weed out bad clients and cover your costs. I did that with a local bakery owner here in Cleveland who wanted a simple website. Charged her $300 deposit on a $600 job. She paid it quick. Then she took three months to send me the content I needed. By that time I felt like a jerk nagging her, and she ended up canceling because her business closed down. I kept the deposit but lost the other half and a ton of time. Now I wonder if being more flexible on payment would've kept her engaged. Has anyone else had a deposit scare them off instead of help?
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jamesc7916d ago
Build on that smaller deposit idea. If you asked for like $150 instead of half it might feel less like a trap if they need to walk away. Keeps you covered for initial work but doesn't make them feel obligated to push through a failed project just because you already have their money.
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the_sage16d ago
Used to be all about that deposit-first life but your story makes me rethink it. The problem is you look like the bad guy when you chase them for content even though they agreed to it upfront. Maybe a smaller deposit or a payment plan with clear deadlines would keep them feeling less trapped if things go south. Your client probably felt pressured to bail because she knew you already had her money and she couldn't deliver. That kind of guilt kills a business relationship fast.
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