How to respond to this cheeky request

[joshandjamie]

So a friend (new friend, don't know well but part of a budding friendship group) is a garden designer. We needed our garden sorted. We asked him if he wanted to take a look for us and do some designs. He duly did and we paid him for them. He then sent us a cost estimate to have the work done by a builder friend of his. It was expensive. I replied saying that we were going to get our own builder to cost it up.

He replied saying that he was happy to talk to our builder to give more details on the designs. So he is being helpful. But then came the corker.

I write for a living. He asked me if I could do him a favour. He asked if he could send over the copy he'd written for his new website so that I could 'look at it with my professional eye and could I edit it for him. No rush.'

So - he does garden design for a living. He creates some designs for us. We pay him.
I write for a living. I must read his copy and edit it for him. For free.

I don't know how to respond to him. It's the principle of it. Why should he get a freebie when I have to pay? I wouldn't mind helping a friend out but surely it's quid pro quo? Incidentally, the price charged if I was being paid would probably be similar to what he charged us.

WWYD?

Can't you just say that unfortunately you don't do this type of work any more but that you can recommend X who you know could do a great job for a reasonable price (obviously assuming you do know an X who could...)

As you said - you don't really know how big a job it is. Let him send you the info and of you think you can do it in quickly then just do it. If it looks like a bigger job then just go back to him and say "I am happy to do this for you but it looks like a few hours work and I will have to do this as a job rather than a favour and charge you £x per hour.

I ended up replying like this:

Re looking at copy - I can take a quick look and give you some pointers but you may want to pay someone to do a professional job for you. I need to focus on getting this novel written and school holidays aren?t helping!

Sounds more than reasonable.

An excellent reply, OP!

Perfect response!

I'm glad you didn't do it. I proof read an application for a colleague as a favour and I've since spent hours sitting with him going over personal statements. Sigh.

Good response Op. it's difficult having a skill that others seem to take for granted. I hate it when someone asks me for a 'quick trim' and expects it for free, just because they've used the word 'quick' .

I think your over thinking this! Do what speedos said. If it looks like a massive Job and not a five minute looking at grammar and punctuation phone him and tell him you need to do this this and this and your pretty busy you will have to charge......
Don't over think your meeting trouble halfway.

I've had a similar situation recently where the implication was very much that they should use something under my copyright for free. I simply ignored what had been implied and sent them a quote (admittedly at a lower rate than I normally charge for such things).

Good reply, well done.

good reply!
Team, could you say it's similar to this: but I of course add my own twist/secret ingredient

Not suggesting you're ripping anyone else off btw! Just seems like a good compromise

YANBU at all! How cheeky of him!

sweetie: "not a five minute looking at grammar and punctuation"

Yes, isn't editing a breeze. Don't know how we have the nerve to charge at all.

Well done on your reply, OP - very professional.

I would have said;

Yes, do you want me to quickly proof read or do you need a professional
Job done?

I liked your reply though