Rude/Creepy Client

graybeal_liz · ‎10-09-2020

Hello, I am new to Upwork and was hoping for some insight.

I was communicating with a client over Upwork messenger for a children's book job.

I recieved messages from him aroun 6am d pacific time asking for a video call. I had just woken up at 7:30am so I was going to respond after I'd had some caffeine. He then messaged me demanding a response to his previous messages. Politely, I told him that I would be available for a video after 9:30am pacific time. He agrees, but doesn't apologize for his rudeness. I got online at that time and realized I hadn't designated a solid time so I told him I was available until 2pm (I have a day job). At 2:04pm he tells me that he's ready for a video call. I tell him that I am no longer available, but that we could have a video call at 9:30am the next morning. He agrees to that time.

I get online at 9:30 the next morning and message him that I am ready for our call. He doesn't respond until 10am and tells me he will tell me when he's ready. He did not provide an explanation or an apology for missing our meeting. I messaged him back that I was not available for the rest of the day and was going to be out of the office next week, but that we could set up a meeting for the week of the 19th if he'd still like to work together.

He responds that we can talk either later today or next week... after I have informed him that I was unavailable. I ignored him because at this point he was blatantly ignoring me. At this point I felt like he was trying to make some kind of power move and was getting a little skeeved out by his insistence on a video call.

A couple hours later he messages me to tell me that we can have the video call now and proceeds to call me through Upwork. Since he'd made it clear that he had no respect for my time or what I was telling him I messaged him informing me that I could not take the job and that I wished him well on his publishing journey. He then proceeds to ask me why I couldn't take the job and that he "forgives" me.

I blocked him.

There was never any contract signed and no money exchanged so I'm wondering if this will affect my rating. I also wanted to know if anyone else has had an experience like this.

tinker_bell3 · ‎10-09-2020

Hi Liz,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience with this client. Since no contract was established between you and the client, this doesn't have any effect on your profile. I see that you have a Rising Talent status. Rising Talent freelancers are highlighted for having great potential. I hope this experience doesn't discourage you and that you continue to submit proposals to potential clients.

~ Joanne

a_lipsey · ‎10-09-2020

Liz G wrote:
Hello, I am new to Upwork and was hoping for some insight.

I was communicating with a client over Upwork messenger for a children's book job.
I recieved messages from him aroun 6am d pacific time asking for a video call. I had just woken up at 7:30am so I was going to respond after I'd had some caffeine. He then messaged me demanding a response to his previous messages. Politely, I told him that I would be available for a video after 9:30am pacific time. He agrees, but doesn't apologize for his rudeness. I got online at that time and realized I hadn't designated a solid time so I told him I was available until 2pm (I have a day job). At 2:04pm he tells me that he's ready for a video call. I tell him that I am no longer available, but that we could have a video call at 9:30am the next morning. He agrees to that time.
I get online at 9:30 the next morning and message him that I am ready for our call. He doesn't respond until 10am and tells me he will tell me when he's ready. He did not provide an explanation or an apology for missing our meeting. I messaged him back that I was not available for the rest of the day and was going to be out of the office next week, but that we could set up a meeting for the week of the 19th if he'd still like to work together.
He responds that we can talk either later today or next week... after I have informed him that I was unavailable. I ignored him because at this point he was blatantly ignoring me. At this point I felt like he was trying to make some kind of power move and was getting a little skeeved out by his insistence on a video call.
A couple hours later he messages me to tell me that we can have the video call now and proceeds to call me through Upwork. Since he'd made it clear that he had no respect for my time or what I was telling him I messaged him informing me that I could not take the job and that I wished him well on his publishing journey. He then proceeds to ask me why I couldn't take the job and that he "forgives" me.
I blocked him.
There was never any contract signed and no money exchanged so I'm wondering if this will affect my rating. I also wanted to know if anyone else has had an experience like this.

I would have blocked him far earlier, but you did the right thing. This was a problem client from the get-go. One miscommunication on meeting time is acceptable, but multiple?! And not paying attention to when you say you're available? No way.

As long as you didn't have a contract, then there is no impact on your JSS or anything. The only impact is that you dodged a bad client. Congrats.

abinadab-agbo · ‎10-10-2020

Liz G wrote:
... At this point I felt like he was trying to make some kind of power move and was getting a little skeeved out by his insistence on a video call.
.

Rule 1: Avoid clients who play "power moves".

You understood that. Well done.