Had a client promise a huge project then ask for a free 'sample' design

I was talking to someone last month who said they had a $5,000 branding job for me. They wanted me to do a full logo mockup first as a 'test run' to see if my style fit. I did it because I was desperate for work, and guess what? They took the file and stopped returning my calls. Has anyone else run into the 'free sample' trick and how do you shut it down early?

3 comments

3 Comments

emma_jones11d ago

3 bailed out on me last year with a similar story. They said they needed a simple logo to show their board before they could approve the full budget. I sent over a rough sketch and never heard from them again. I think you gotta trust your gut on these. If a client is asking for free work upfront, they are probably shopping around and not serious.

kimblack11d ago

@emma_jones a buddy of mine got burned the exact same way. happens way too often lol

tessalane10d ago

hard agree. sketch first, pay later never works out. learned that lesson the hard way too