I've been dropped in it by an agency - what to do?!

[FreelanceWoes]

Namechanged as very identifying.

I am a technical writer. I normally work directly with my clients but last year another company/agency (AC) asked me if I would do some work on their behalf for some of their clients. So I bill another company and as far as client is concerned, I work for AC. So AC submit invoices and then pay me. I've done a couple of jobs for AC and their clients have been really happy so we're all happy. I normally work via one employee of AC.

A few weeks' ago, someone else who works for AC contacted me and asked me if I would do some work for one of her clients. She didn't give me a decent brief (despite me asking repeatedly) and the client was late in supplying information. I've done what I can with what they've provided but absent of information from the client about what they actually do, it's not great.

I have had repeated phone conversations with the woman from AC who says she's going to ask them to supply more info and point out that they haven't met deadlines but she doesn't seem to be getting very far.

I have written a couple of drafts and have had a series of increasingly cross emails in response essentially saying that what I've done so far is completely crap. Woman from AC doesn't appear to gave made any progress in pushing back to say that it's their fault to a large degree. I'm due to meet the client tomorrow - without the woman from AC who has employed me.

I really, really don't want to go to the meeting because it's a 3 hour round trip, I will have to put DC into (costly) childcare and I suspect client will a) shout at me and b) refuse to pay the bill.

I am massively experienced and have won awards for what I do. But this is making me feel sick and want to cry which is ridiculous.

I don't know what to do. Any advice? Or just a bit of sympathy? I'm a single parent and I don't want to put this on the kids

[senua]

What is the purpose of the meeting? Is there an agenda.

It's a bit late to cancel now. It could be your chance to put your POV because woman from AC doesn't seem to be doing it! This is your chance to charm them. You might even get extra work / pay from it.

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

Can you contact to reschedule the meeting to allow time for more information to get through? Have you got the clients's contact details, or would you need to go through the agency?

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

There is a gaping chasm thanks to the AC woman in the middle and you're left looking stupid. I would be cross at her tarnishing your reputation. With the cost + effort of fares and childcare I would be reluctant to go to the meeting if you feel unprepared.
However, given the time you have already put in, if you can get to meet the client and brave it out maybe you can still salvage something. Best foot forward.

[FreelanceWoes]

The meeting is to go through my draft and it can't be moved because we're working to a deadline.

I agree Donkeys but I suspect they won't want to pay for my time because they are in rip off mode. And I'm reluctant to put in another 5 hours when I've already spent 2 days which I think they aren't going to want to pay for.

Hopefully I'll get paid whatever.

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Hope you got on okay OP.

[lilydaisyrose]

How did it go OP? I had no advice but as a small business owner, I was thinking of you and am interested in the outcome.