Cold beer. Obviously.

I can just imagine the customer who ordered the gourmet burger coming back and arguing that what you gave him looks good but *feels* like it should cost the same as McDonalds because it doesn’t seem like it would’ve been hard to do.

This is EXACTLY why I don’t quote prices on the site. As soon as the customer begins to make a qualitative decision about how hard the job is, you should prepare yourself for the nickel and dime discussions. I kind of look at it like the old saying about restaurant menus, if you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it. Maybe the better statement there is, “you’re not prepared to pay it.”

The other comment Avery makes is pretty important as well. Very often as freelancers, we believe that we have to take every customer that is willing to pay us money. This leads us to compromise on who we work for and what we do. I prefer to only accept the jobs I want to do, with clients I love working for. They are also usually the ones that don’t mind paying my rates!

I’m really loving this thread!!

@jtrigsby

I was particularly impressed with the burger argument even though it does have its holes. I think a lot of clients who are not accustomed to dealing with freelancers do get frustrated and just walk away when they can’t get a quick response to something that seems as simple as job pricing (just as you say George). Unfortunately, most freelancers I’m assuming will want to cater to as many customers as possible and so do you list pricing for McDonald’s burgers or something more high end or do you do both and list the pricing for each for comparison? I can just imagine the customer who ordered the gourmet burger coming back and arguing that what you gave him looks good but *feels* like it should cost the same as McDonalds because it doesn’t seem like it would’ve been hard to do.

Oh, I was Devil’s Advocate for sure. Never have published my rates for all of the reason that you ( and some compadre with superior intelligence) managed to figure out.

And Noob is strictly a term of endearment. So, since you already have your thesaurus out, look up oprobrius gasconading windbag. Hehe.

Love,

Georgie ka-ka

I just had to look up “prolate” – the closest word listed. I’m not sure what the extra length of my polar diameter versus my equatorial diameter has to do with anything. Or are you making words up for the hell of it? You’re not Shakespeare, you know.

Shakespeare’s address is http://www.bardtothebone.com

Actually, that’s good. I may have to grab that from GoDaddy.

And where in damnation did “Mr Noob” spring from? Or is the “o” too close to the “k” for your pudgy fingers?

Mark, I do think your literary juggernaut is nigh worth prolation. However I do think I’ll Google that Shakespeare guy and see if he’s written anything of value or if he has posted his rates. Do you have his blog address?

Monika, I don’t mind that you sided with Mr. Noob. His is a sensitive and tender soul and I know you’re prone to charity. hehe.

Seriously though. Good points made by all. And I dare you to find a set of rates over at Tumblemoose. I double-dog dare ya.

George

Thanks for your valuable addition to the conversation. I hope you are doing well.

Here’s the problem with posting rates, at least from my point of view. Posting rates BEGINS the conversation with a price point expectation… many times without regard to the quality of the work to be performed. Wouldn’t it be much better to sell them on the quality of the work, talk about their project, then negotiate a price?

The burger example is a great one, made me laugh out loud, but that’s burgers, not professional services.

And then there is the best quote ever… one I will have to add to my standard contract:

“No, they’re not pages, they’re sub-pages. In that case, I will sub-tract them from the job.”

Absolutely priceless!

So, anyway… quote benefits to your client. Sell them the perks of working with you, show them what you’ve done for other clients, then talk about price. If they’re sold on you, the price won’t matter quite as much.

Great post guys and gal! Thanks!

@jtrigsby