Best way to tell a client 'I don't want to work for you any more'?

[becstarlitsea]

I'm just finishing off some work for a client. She's been a nightmare and it's cost me far more to do the work for her than she's paying me, because of her constant changes of mind and endless e-mails to me, calls in the middle of the night etc. She is critical of my work even when I've way over-delivered. I've had enough, and want rid - and I've got a lot of work I'd rather spend my time on which pays better. But I want to do it as professionally as possible. So today I'm delivering the work which we've agreed on so far. My plan is to send it with the final invoice and a note saying that I'm booked up, so am giving her all the information she needs to take it forward herself or hand it on to someone else. But what's the best way to word it that makes it clear that this is 'good-bye' but which doesn't leave an unprofessional impression? She is a close contact of other clients of mine whom I like and respect. Help?

I'd send it today, with nothing else. Then send the final invoice in a few days time. Then, when she gets back in contact, say that you are booked up, and just put her off then. If you do it straight away, it's obvious you are trying to get rid, and she won't like it, but if you do it when she asks, it will seem more natural!

I'd agree. Just send whatever you normally would at the end of a piece of work. Would you normally give extra information about how to take it forward, or would you wait till they got back to you? Unless it's what you would normally do, I'd leave it. Then if/when she gets back to you, it's not convenient, and you can give her whatever followup info she might need to move on with a new contract.

Agree with vonsudenfed - i can't see there's any good way to do it proactively (lies included!) that won't piss her off - not worth it if she knows other good clients. Is there a lot of stuff you need to hand over or is this a natural stopping point?

The only thing you could do (do you know that there is likely to be more work from her in the short term?) i suppose is proactively say that you know you're going to be very tied up in the next few months, and give her advance warning that you might not be able to be involved in next stages/projects over the next few months. Then if she asks for contacts, you can pass her the details of your worst enemies

Wait until she pays you!!!!!!! Then walk away.

Thank you vonsudenfed, AMumInScotland and funnypeculiar. I would normally send all the information so that she can take it forward, and I did promise to do that at the end of the project, saying that she could take a decision then whether to renew it or take it forward herself. I am thinking I will just say something about being a bit booked up over the next few months (true enough). But am struggling to put it in a way that is assertive, not over-communicative, not aggressive, just straight-forward and professional.

goingslowlyroundthebend LOL! She owes me £220. She calls six times a day often in the middle of the night. She e-mails me all through the night so I dread turning on my computer in the mornings. It ain't worth £220. It's ain't worth £22,000 Not that we're minted - I will still invoice and chase for payment. But have to admit I want my life back more than I want that money!

Just say it as simply as you can -
Thanks again for getting me involved in this interesting/unusual/mind-numbingly painful project. Just so you know, I'm already very booked up over the next few months, so diaries may be tricky if there is any follow-up work.

I like it funnypeculiar. Cut and paste. Thank you! Humming 'Gonna wash that client right out of my hair' as I put together her package

Clients, hey? Can't live with 'em, can't eat without 'em...

Option B is always ... next time she comes back, manage the process - ie firmly but politely quote much higher; and be really clear about your work/life boundries (eg. I won't be looking at email after 5pm tonight (don't give a reason; simply don't answer any calls outside of work hours etc etc)

Sorry - this will sound harsh. I don't mean to be cruel to you, because she does sound like a nightmare, but she is behaving like this because you are letting her.

I know how difficult the whole client/supplier thing is, but you are dealing with someone with bullying tendencies here, and you are behaving like a victim because you are pandering to her every whim.

Instead you need to be assertive about what is and isn't included in your quote/contract. If she asks for more work, agree to do it, but point out that it will incur more cost. (Note - if the extra work is because what you have done isn't deemed good enough then this is more difficult!)

E-mailing you through the night is irrelevant as you don't have your computer on then and aren't sitting in front of it, but your reaction to this does indicate how much she is bullying you.

Don't let her behave like this. You need to stand up to her - but you don't have to be aggressive to achieve this, which I suspect is what you fear!

Good luck.

I know exactly how you feel. I have been dealing with a complete nightmare of a client today.

s well as taking everyone's advice to day you're booked up, I would add a recommendation to another agency/freelancers in your area just in case she says she'll wait!