90 Day Probation Period?

[#1]

After 2 interviews and a potential client pretty much saying I got the contract, I got a follow up message where I was asked if I would accept a lower rate for the first 90 days.  That immediately gave me a bad taste in my mouth and now I'm not sure I want to go ahead.  The client can end a contract at any time so I don't see the need for a 90 day probationary period where I am being paid a rate lower than my usual rate, and the rate that they seem to be okay with after this 90 days.  I responded that I have to be firm with my rate and that I would completely understand if it's a deal breaker and they decide to go with someone else.  Anyone else have this experience and how did you handle it?

[#2]

You did the right thing.  This sounds like a terrible client to work for, and if you standing firm on your pricing is a deal breaker, you probably dodged a bullet.  90 day probationary period @ a lower rate screams cheapskate, micro-managing client.

Is this the same client you were asking about in another thread who wanted you to do a timed skills test exactly one hour before the interview?  If so, and now they're pulling this crap, I think you should have plenty of warning signs that this is not going to be a pleasant client to work for.

[#3]

Good eye, but no, this is a different client.  After getting burned by one bad client about a month ago, I'm trying to be hyper vigilant to any signs of bad mojo before accepting a contract. 

[#4 · Accepted solution]

You're a trained professional with a number of 5 star reviews on your profile.  You obviously perform a professional service, so you deserve a professional client.

90 day probationary periods are for your first job when you're 16.  You're better than that.  Walk.

[#5]

Ha, no chance.

[#6]

When I was working for legal aid in Georgia, they had a state law that allowed companies to pay below minimum wage for the first 90 days on a training/probationary basis. There was more than one large local employer that routinely let people go just before the 90 days was up, constantly churning below-minimum-wage workers. 

Of course, I know nothing about this specific client's intentions. But, what will they know about your work in 90 days that they won't know in 30, or even 15? What could you possibly have to learn at this stage of your career that would make you less valuable for three whole months?