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Obligatory Background: I'm in web design. I live on the East Coast, and of course...today....Sandy. Stupid Sandy. I also work from home. A home with rather old wiring that is so touchy, turning on the vaccuum in the den, and running the dishwasher in the kitchen, will flip the breakers.
As I'm working today, I notice the power is flickering occasionally. Drat. Being a good, preemptive person, I formulate an email and shoot it to all of my current clients, notifying them of the weather situation and that I may not have power soon...thereby delaying current projects slightly. First couple of responses are "thanks for the heads up" and the general 'keep safe'.
Not this guy.
ButtheadClient (BC) replies to me with this:
I admit it. I saw RED. Coincidentally, he was online on messenger, so I hailed him, and when he confirmed he was there....I ripped him a new one.
I pointed out how yes, I had started a week ago, but that he'd delayed the project for five days because...and get this....the preliminary rough draft was not a final draft. So he refused to speak with me for five days and tell me what he didn't like about the draft, because "I'd disappointed him so badly". I explained how communication goes two ways. I can't proceed with my work if he's not communicating back, and therefore, the original delay's fault rested completely on his shoulders. Next on the list was how yes, I don't work on weekends, because I want to have some semblance of a normal life. He needed to deal with that.
Thirdly, I have NO CONTROL over the weather, and that, trust me, if I had the choice between having our house beat on by some confounded hurricane, or nice weather...I'D TAKE THE NICE WEATHER.
He tried to interrupt me a few times and try and say it was my fault for simply not working overnight, or over the weekends, and that I should just work through the power outage. When I asked how that would be possible...he didn't reply.
I ended it with "You can either take a partial refund, minus your nonrefundable deposit...or just be patient and understand that the weather is uncontrollable. It'd also help matters if you didn't clam up, and communicated with me when I asked for your feedback on developments. A third option, is you can pay me double time, and I'll more than gladly work overnight for you. Which would you prefer?"
...he said he's wait. And then logged off. :P
As I'm working today, I notice the power is flickering occasionally. Drat. Being a good, preemptive person, I formulate an email and shoot it to all of my current clients, notifying them of the weather situation and that I may not have power soon...thereby delaying current projects slightly. First couple of responses are "thanks for the heads up" and the general 'keep safe'.
Not this guy.
ButtheadClient (BC) replies to me with this:
i cannot beliee what you are putting me through. first you take saturday and sunday off, and do not work on my project. then you claim this holiday off, this is bull. you work on my project and have it done tomorrow or i want a refund. you already are taking too long, you start work a week days ago.
I pointed out how yes, I had started a week ago, but that he'd delayed the project for five days because...and get this....the preliminary rough draft was not a final draft. So he refused to speak with me for five days and tell me what he didn't like about the draft, because "I'd disappointed him so badly". I explained how communication goes two ways. I can't proceed with my work if he's not communicating back, and therefore, the original delay's fault rested completely on his shoulders. Next on the list was how yes, I don't work on weekends, because I want to have some semblance of a normal life. He needed to deal with that.
Thirdly, I have NO CONTROL over the weather, and that, trust me, if I had the choice between having our house beat on by some confounded hurricane, or nice weather...I'D TAKE THE NICE WEATHER.
He tried to interrupt me a few times and try and say it was my fault for simply not working overnight, or over the weekends, and that I should just work through the power outage. When I asked how that would be possible...he didn't reply.
I ended it with "You can either take a partial refund, minus your nonrefundable deposit...or just be patient and understand that the weather is uncontrollable. It'd also help matters if you didn't clam up, and communicated with me when I asked for your feedback on developments. A third option, is you can pay me double time, and I'll more than gladly work overnight for you. Which would you prefer?"
...he said he's wait. And then logged off. :P
Excellent response! He's probably all too used to having people say "How high??" when he says "Jump" that you stunned him into silence! Love his demand that you continue working with no power ....
He is my Black Dragon (and yes, a good one) strong, protective, the guardian. I am his Silver Dragon, always by his side, shining for him, cherishing him.
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