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Vent: I chose the client who paid half upfront over the one who promised a big retainer, and I've been second guessing it since March
Back in March I had two folks wanting website work at the same time, one offered $2,400 with half down and the other waved around a $9,000 retainer he swore would start in April. I went with the smaller upfront job because my old boss always said money in hand beats money in theory, and the retainer guy never actually signed anything. Turns out he strung along two other freelancers I know in Denver with that same speech, and my $1,200 deposit cleared without a single follow up email. Part of me still wonders if I left real money on the table though. Has anyone else picked the safer smaller job and later found out the big fish was just blowing smoke?
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the_jenny20h ago
What made you keep waiting on the retainer guy after he never signed anything? Like did he give you a specific date or some kind of contract draft, or was it all just talk over calls and emails? Curious because I've had clients dangle big numbers before and the ones who actually pay always seem to put something in writing pretty quick.
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harris.dakota20h ago
Noticed this same thing happens with landlords and apartments. The one who says "I'll hold it for you, just send the deposit next week" is always the one who ghosts, while the place that wants cash today is real. @the_jenny is right that people with actual money move fast on paper, the big talkers stay vague on purpose so they can keep shopping around. Your old boss gave you solid advice, and finding out the retainer guy burned two other freelancers in Denver pretty much closes the case.
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