I pay a monthly retainer to a marketing manager who has her own agency, and she’s really lovely and does have children. I really liked this about her as I have a little boy and the first meeting went really well.
I signed in for three months and the first two months went okay, but in December I only received around 20% of the agreed package offering. Her children have been unwell and so I totally get how hard that is, I was unwell in December, however I’m lucky to have a team to take over for me whereas she doesn’t.
Every time I did receive anything it was based on me emailing her, and I kept being told to expect things the next day which didn’t happen.
On 1st December I received an invoice for the full monthly payment which shocked me a bit as, if this was one of my clients I wouldn’t be charging them 100% for 20% of the work.
I queried it and explained that while I do totally understand the difficulty in working I didn’t feel comfortable paying for a full month when I haven’t received the work. I’ve been offered 20% off the full amount and told that she’ll be back on track this month.
Normally I wouldn’t be asking ‘Do I pay this or not?’ but I am feeling conflicted. I really like her and know how difficult running a business on your own is with children. On the other hand business is business and why should my expenses remain the same for 80% less work.
How would you handle this to keep it amicable on both sides?