Client Requesting Revision After Sending the Wrong File

[spaintranslator]

Hello,

I need your advice on a situation I’m currently facing. A client purchased my proofreading services for a large book, which was a significant order ($$$). I spent 20 days working full-time on the project, dedicating long hours to ensure the document was thoroughly polished and delivered on time.

I delivered the final work 5 days ago, but now the client has submitted a revision request, saying, "I am sorry, I sent you the wrong file," and attaching a new file for me to work on. He is expecting me to redo the entire job with the correct file at no additional cost.

I haven’t replied to the revision request yet, as I want to approach this carefully. Has anyone dealt with a similar issue? How would you recommend addressing this while maintaining professionalism and protecting the value of my time and effort?

Thanks for your input!

[priyank_mod]

Unfortunately, Fiverr's system is biased in favour of buyers and he can still cancel the order and/or leave bad review(s) too. 

But you can attempt to politely explain to the buyer that you completed the work for the wrong file they had sent and request the buyer to compensate you for re-work. You can quote 50-75% of the original price as an extra for the work. 

If buyer is a professional and decent human being, he/she will approve. Else you can opt for cancellation or re-work for free. 

[newsmike]

Very simple, just respond in a manner similar to the way any business responds when someone wants additional work. I would say, "Hi, no problem, just send me the new file and I'll get you an offer to proofread that one also. Thanks."  You have to take the position that any sane person would expect to pay for another round. Imagine if someone paid to have a room painted, then told the painter, oops, I told you the wrong room.  They would not even blink to say, OK, that'll cost $$$.

[newsmike]

2 minutes ago, priyank_mod said:

Unfortunately, Fiverr's system is biased in favour of buyers and he can still cancel the order and/or leave bad review(s) too. 

But you can attempt to politely explain to the buyer that you completed the work for the wrong file they had sent and request the buyer to compensate you for re-work. You can quote 50-75% of the original price as an extra for the work. 

If buyer is a professional and decent human being, he/she will approve. Else you can opt for cancellation or re-work for free. 

I don't agree with a fear based approach. Why should she work for half wages due to an error on their part? And the whole cancel/bad review fear is not worth discussing. Can't agree at all here.

[priyank_mod]

6 minutes ago, newsmike said:

I don't agree with a fear based approach. Why should she work for half wages due to an error on their part? And the whole cancel/bad review fear is not worth discussing. Can't agree at all here.

In principle, I concur with you on this.

But the potential loss of business due to a cancellation or bad review is much higher because of the reasons we know very well. Giving away a certain % of time and effort for free to a clumsy buyer is a better choice than potentially losing multiple orders over the next weeks/months.