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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell the client it’s not my job to subsidise his business ?

145 replies

RunningSME · 16/08/2022 21:44

I had somebody approach me today about providing him with a service so we started to discuss what I could do for him and they really like the sound of it until we got to the stage where we were negotiating fees.

I told him what I would charge everybody else and that is the truth I have 60 clients who will pay the same amount, some pay in advance upfront, mostly they pay on completion of the deal.
he’s replied that they work on tight margins despite having previously told me that one employee generates £6000 a week in profit.

Apparently my competitors charge 25% less.

I won’t say this of course but I really want to reply I’m a bloody single mum from Warrington why is it my job to subsidise your business ?

you wouldn’t walk into Marks And Spencers and ask them to supply you with a sandwich and then tell them that you want to pay 25% less because you can’t afford it they’d laugh in your face.

OP posts:
Original poster
RunningSME · 16/08/2022 22:21

TimeForTeaAndG · 16/08/2022 22:16

Don't just ghost him, that's very unprofessional.

Your fees are either negotiable or their not. If they are then you have a minimum you'll accept and if he wants lower then you politely decline and wish him well with whoever he chooses to go with.

If not, then don't say you were negotiating fees. You were telling him what you charge and he tried to knock you down a bit. You still go back to him and say your fees are not negotiable and if he is looking to pay less then wish him well with whoever he chooses to go with.

So i stated i could move on time frames - prioritise him but fees weren’t negotiable and thats when he cane back with “i cant afford it”
So thats it right, im not ghosting if i dont reply am I ?

OP posts:
Hawkins001 · 16/08/2022 22:25

RunningSME · 16/08/2022 22:21

So i stated i could move on time frames - prioritise him but fees weren’t negotiable and thats when he cane back with “i cant afford it”
So thats it right, im not ghosting if i dont reply am I ?

Show quote history

Even though, I understand your perspectives, yes by not responding, it's the same as ghosting

OnTheVergeOfABreakdown · 16/08/2022 22:26

I'd reply to his 'can't afford it' message with 'thank you for your interest in our business/service. All the best for the future'. That kind of thing

TimeForTeaAndG · 16/08/2022 22:28

Intentionally just not replying and ignoring is absolutely ghosting.

Repeat that you are unable to drop your price so if he is unable to afford you at this time then it's best he go with another company/firm/person who does the same as you.

PanicAtTheDisco2000 · 16/08/2022 22:29

Like any relationship it takes 2 people to want to be in it. You value your service at more than they are willing to pay, they don’t value it as much as you want to charge. I sometimes find it useful to articulate it like that to potential clients.

Suggest that they find someone with a better fit for them price wise? If I ever offer a discount it is on the basis I get something out of it too. E.g., so, yes you can have 5% off but only if you pay up front. And for those types of clients it is not a bad idea to get payment upfront as fee quibbles are often slow payers.

Pantsomime · 16/08/2022 22:30

be professional and say you note his comments and thank him for his time in considering your company. Not replying is plain rude

treesandweeds · 16/08/2022 22:31

It's very unprofessional not to reply. Just say thanks for your enquiry and I hope you find someone that suits you.

You sound like you are taking this way too personally.

What's you being a single mum got to do with it? I hate it when people say that. "I'm a single mum so need it cheap" "I'm a single mum so don't drive" "I'm a single mum so people are taking advantage of me"

So what if you are a single mum? He probably doesn't know or care about your marital status nor does he care. It's saving money he cares about, not if you've found a man or not!!

So silly.. just either say your fees are not negotiable or give him a small discount. No need for such drama.

jeaux90 · 16/08/2022 22:32

OP look, don't take it personally.

I've rarely had a client that didn't say things similar to that, it's a negotiation tactic to condition you.

Just reiterate you can't move on price, but hope to work with that client sometime in the future, best wishes etc

mommybear1 · 16/08/2022 22:32

I wouldn't ghost you never know when you may cross paths again I liked the pp from Lemon sharp and to the point. I'd say he's trying his hand if he knows the others fees he's already been to them or is just chancing it. Rise above it professionally or if you prefer add on the MN tinkly laugh 😆

Original poster
RunningSME · 16/08/2022 22:35

Ive replied, I understand and if anything changes with you we’d be delighted to help

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 16/08/2022 22:35

I’d say if everyone else is accepting your prices without batting an eyelid you might want about putting them up! Just a thought. I have never met a woman in business who charges enough.

I get this all the time. I usually reply something like “there’s only two real positions in any marketplace, the cheapest or the best. And I’m not the cheapest!”

Original poster
RunningSME · 16/08/2022 22:36

BitOutOfPractice · 16/08/2022 22:35

I’d say if everyone else is accepting your prices without batting an eyelid you might want about putting them up! Just a thought. I have never met a woman in business who charges enough.

I get this all the time. I usually reply something like “there’s only two real positions in any marketplace, the cheapest or the best. And I’m not the cheapest!”

I love that !
And yes you’re probably right

OP posts:
ecuse · 16/08/2022 22:39

So I think you're being slightly petty and unprofessional to just ghost him.

You charge what you charge. Sounds like you make a good living and you don't need his business. So politely reiterate that your rates are non-negotiable because demand for your services is strong at that rate. Advice above about asking who and researching the competition is sensible, if you actually do need to be able to differentiate yourself from them. That's good business.

But he's not being unreasonable or hurtful asking to negotiate. It's nothing personal and I'm astonished if this is the first time someone has tried it in 60 client relationships! You being a single parent etc etc is neither here nor there and YWBV Unprofessional to bring it up.

If you make a big deal of it, ghost him or throw a strop you risk creating bad word of mouth for yourself which would be more damaging than a brief polite response which will take you 2 seconds.

bowlingalleyblues · 16/08/2022 22:40

I also came on here (logged in specially) to say put your prices up! If you are renowned for what you do and no-one else is asking for you to do it cheaper then you aren't charging enough. Review prices for current clients, and then up the rate card for new business. While you are at it, if you can get them to pay up front make that a policy for all your clients - otherwise you are funding their business cashflow by giving them credit aka a loan.

ecuse · 16/08/2022 22:44

Sorry, crossed posts with you saying you had replied and he came back again. Agree then it's "No problem; thanks for letting me know. Best of luck with whoever you choose to go with" and done.

Quia · 16/08/2022 22:45

ecuse · 16/08/2022 22:39

So I think you're being slightly petty and unprofessional to just ghost him.

You charge what you charge. Sounds like you make a good living and you don't need his business. So politely reiterate that your rates are non-negotiable because demand for your services is strong at that rate. Advice above about asking who and researching the competition is sensible, if you actually do need to be able to differentiate yourself from them. That's good business.

But he's not being unreasonable or hurtful asking to negotiate. It's nothing personal and I'm astonished if this is the first time someone has tried it in 60 client relationships! You being a single parent etc etc is neither here nor there and YWBV Unprofessional to bring it up.

If you make a big deal of it, ghost him or throw a strop you risk creating bad word of mouth for yourself which would be more damaging than a brief polite response which will take you 2 seconds.

She didn't ghost him. Try reading all OP's posts.

cexuwaleozbu · 16/08/2022 22:45

You being a single mum is totally irrelevant.

The cost of your services is a reflection of the quality of the work and the level of demand for your time. Cheaper services always exist but you get what you pay for and if he is happy with a cheaper service then it's entirely his prerogative, but he can't have the bmw for the cost of a ford fiesta. Pop that into an email and don't give it another thought.

AhNowTed · 16/08/2022 22:46

RunningSME · 16/08/2022 22:35

Ive replied, I understand and if anything changes with you we’d be delighted to help

Perfect response.

It's just business OP. Don't take it personally.

30 in sales and you learn to move on.

He can't afford you, fine. Plenty can.

Deguster · 16/08/2022 22:59

If he comes back, get money on account. (Ex-private practice lawyer here).

Bluebells12 · 16/08/2022 22:59

Some people are just born hagglers 🙄 My neighbour tries to get a discount from
every single tradesmen she hires, because “times are tight” (yes for they are everyone) and “I’m a single mum” (yes but you have one adult son who’s left home and you own your house outright).

I’d just say “Well I’m pretty booked up and those are my prices but if you decide you can afford me, let me know!”

venusandmars · 16/08/2022 23:04

I often say "I'm sorry, that would be really unfair on all my other clients who are happy to pay this price."

1dontunderstand · 16/08/2022 23:09

Good response

Clymene · 16/08/2022 23:10

Your response is perfect. He now knows you won't budge on price.

I don't know what you do but there are usually other things people can negotiate on - turnaround times or absorbing delivery costs or something. I throw in an hour here and there free (I'm a consultant) to give long term good clients value add.

But new clients? No way. Here's your rate card. If you don't like the price, go elsewhere.

A lot of men think they can bully women in business

surreygirl1987 · 16/08/2022 23:12

I don't see what the big deal is. He asked, you say no, job done. I used to do tutoring and I often for asked to lower my prices (I charged £50 an hour). I simply said no. It wasn't a big deal!

mellicauli · 16/08/2022 23:14

You need to counter his “ I can’t afford it “ with a few reasons why it is a false economy to go to a cheaper competitor .. you know, you can if course go to a cheaper, more inexperienced designer but you’ll waste a lot of time going back and forth and you’ll find the end product won’t look as finished as you’ll get from someone who has spent more time working with businesses like yours etc”.

Offer him a modest discount for payment up front as he has already shown himself to be a tightwad and you need to let him not feel completely defeated. Although of course he is…