Posted by HyperFocus on July 22, 2009, at 15:27:48
I did some work for a client and today they called me and were very short with me, saying tht they wanted me to update some stuff for them and they needed me to 'lessen their stress with the project' as if it was my fault that they did not have what they wanted and somehow i did not do a good job.
But afterwards I called them back. I said, as civily as I could, that what they were asking me to do is not part of my contract and is not what I was paid for - I specifically added features for them to be able to do what they needed to do without needing me and I spent a good deal of time training one of the staff members on how to do it, and if they were unable to use these features which I had spent my time on then it's not my fault. So then they huffed and puffed and asked if I was going to start charging them for everything now and they weren't aware that I had special fees for them now. I said (as civily as I could) that what I charge them for is meticulously laid out in the invoice and also in the original contract and while I would be happy to do whatever updates they required, I would have to invoice them separately for it - it could not be without charge.n So I spoke to them some more, then rang off.
This is progress.
I have a huge problem with boundaries - and standing up for myself - because I was always very shy and then got abused a lot in school. But, although it was hard and my voice was trembling as I spoke, I did it. I keep worrying about if they hate me or think I'm..whatever..but this is how life is. I have to stand up for myself regardless if I offend other people, otherwise people wil continue to walk all over me.
poster:HyperFocus
thread:907973
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090714/msgs/907973.html