Vent: Client said "just do what you can" and then complained I didn't finish

A client last week told me to stop stressing and just turn in what I had by the new deadline. I sent 60% of the deliverable and now they're mad I didn't finish the whole thing. Has anyone else had a client say one thing and expect another like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

carr.luna9d ago

Client told you not to stress and just turn in what you had, so that's exactly what you did. "Just do what you can" is pretty clear to me. If they wanted a progress update or a specific percentage, they should have said something like "send me a status update at noon" or "finish as much as you can but let me know where you're at." Sounds like they changed what they wanted after the fact, which happens all the time with clients. You can't read minds.

sethm589d ago

Hold on though, you kinda shot yourself in the foot there. "Just do what you can" usually means finish what you're able to in the time given, not stop at a random 60% spot. You should've sent a quick message like "hey I hit 60%, want me to keep cranking or is this good for now?" before just turning it in. That check in would've saved the headache.

victorhernandez8d ago

Yeah that's like when my buddy asked me to pick him up "whenever" and got mad I showed up three hours late. You really can't win with vague instructions.