The Well-Healed El-Cheapo Client - advice on upfront filter...

[desmond_aubery]

I've recently encountered the phenomenon of 'The Well-Healed El-Cheapo".

Their stock in trade is as follows - two varieties:

• Sweet as punch
  • Starts off as a decent, solid client looking for a solution
  • Scope creep begins, albeit slowly at first
  • Freelancer gently applies the brakes
  • Situation stabilises
  • Scope creep tsunami
  • Freelancer firm
  • Client either tries
    • Sweet sauce, or
    • Hardens position
  • Freelancer firm on agreed scope
  • Client goes ballistic and threatens
  • Freelancer delivers against original agreed scope
  • Client goes nuclear
     
• Straight-up gnarly during the external 'Contact' phase
  • Freelancer smooths relationship
  • Client places order
  • Client as smooth as silk during online project meeting
  • Phase 1 of the project completes - client accepts delivery - seems very happy
  • Nasty comments left and poor rating
  • Client then immediately demands freelancer quote against an impossible specification at El-Cheapo price
  • Freelancer then does what?

How would you manage this situation?

Can a suitable pre-filter be engaged during the initial external 'Contact' phase? (Fiverr does not screen clients)

• The lower-end El-Cheapos can be weeded out early.
• It's the well-healed El-Cheapos that I need a remedy for... 🙏😊

 

[atobateleolanre]

Really weird client, if you ask me🥴