Should the power for clients to ruin a portfolio be nerfed?

Nathan A · Jan 12, 2021 05:03:46 PM

Part 1: For the most part, I do, and I usually bite my tongue (usually I don't even have to). But in this instance I think my frustrations reached a tipping point because of the level of unprofessionalism and ongoing frustrations. I mean, I did get myself into the situation, taking on a client I knew would be literally the worst client ever, so lesson learned there too.

Part 2: I saved her presentation because I came through in the end, on time, so that's probably why I got the 'B' rating and not an C or D rating, even tho the milstones before that I was an A+++ in her eyes and wanted to keep me all to herself, full time. Great way to show her appreciation.

Part 3: Maybe I'm just a personable guy. I talk to people like real people. I don't say "hey dude" or "hey girl", I keep it professional, but I can't help being the friendly neighbourhood designer that people feel comfortable enough to say we had our "first fight", or what kind of day their having. I would hardly say that's even a bad thing, or a childish dynamic.

Thanks for your reply tho, I know I have lots of learning to do.

Gina H · Jan 12, 2021 05:11:39 PM

Nathan A wrote:
Part 1: For the most part, I do, and I usually bite my tongue (usually I don't even have to). But in this instance I think my frustrations reached a tipping point because of the level of unprofessionalism and ongoing frustrations. I mean, I did get myself into the situation, taking on a client I knew would be literally the worst client ever, so lesson learned there too.

Thanks for your reply tho, I know I have lots of learning to do.

You might be the first person here ever to accept constructive criticism instead of doubling down on your mistakes lol, I can respect that.

I definitely understand being personable, but you should also set a bit more boundaries somewhere in between I think.

Overall you should be grateful she ended the contract and you escaped just for your sanity's sake, it was not worth it to continue with her.

Nathan A · Jan 12, 2021 08:15:18 PM

You might be the first person here ever to accept constructive criticism instead of doubling down on your mistakes lol, I can respect that.

Overall you should be grateful she ended the contract and you escaped just for your sanity's sake, it was not worth it to continue with her.

Yeah live and learn.

This was really meant to be a discussion about balancing the JSS system though, in particular when there's previous milestones or previous hires. Something heavily unbalanced there.

Wilson E · Jan 12, 2021 05:29:15 PM

Hey Nathan, chill out. Once I got a similar rating and I got frustrated as well, but then I learned it isn`t really that bad.

You are doing great here, your work looks really nice. But if I were you, I wouldn't bother responding to a client's bad rating, or at least keep it short and professional.

I am very picky when accepting a new client job and anyway one gets a bad client from time to time.

Move on and learn from this experience, you will get your rating back to normal.

Nathan A · Jan 12, 2021 08:23:35 PM

Thanks for your response Wilson.

There can still be something done to protect the integrity of JSS

Jenny K · Jan 12, 2021 08:48:32 PM

Nathan,

I sympathise with you, but hopefully it won't affect your time on Upwork too much as you also have some very glowing reviews.

I agree with the other posters that it is better to avoid working with difficult clients, although I also understand the temptation when you only have a few jobs under your belt on Upwork.

Finding a way to balance friendliness with boundaries is key, as from what you have written it seems like there was a bit of an unhealthy dynamic going on.

If a client is being outright uncooperative, or taking a bad day/week/life out on freelancers, I don"t believe that is something that any freelancer shold have to tolerate.

The freelancer is getting paid to do the hired work, not to manage the clients emotions. And rarely can you make a person like this happy anyway if there is something else in their life that is affecting them.

So it is better to pick up on the signs (where possible) and filter that client out, rather than look at them as a welcome challenge and take that risk.

Petra R · Jan 12, 2021 09:02:17 PM

Nathan wrote:
... I told her she was going to be extremely difficult and picky and I welcomed the challenge...

You got exactly what you asked for.

So you "welcomed the challenge" but don't want to deal with the almost inevitable consequences?

Nathan A · Jan 12, 2021 09:10:08 PM

You might have missed the part where I said there were 7 successful milestones up until the final one. She might have been the most difficult client ever, but she was sure happy up until that point, wasn't she. That might say a lot more about me than your seemingly condescending remarks that don't even address the point I've made over and over.

I encourage you to try again though.

(hint: JSS)

Petra R · Jan 12, 2021 09:18:06 PM

Nathan A wrote:
You might have missed the part...

No, I didn't miss that part. Nor did I miss your response to the other 4.3 star feedback you got just before this job. You urgently need to tweak your attitude or you will not succeed here.

Nathan A wrote:
... but she was sure happy up until that point,

She was happy until she wasn't. She shared some frustration, you decided to be rude and unprofessional.

She was no longer happy. Does that maybe tell you something?

Nathan A wrote:
(hint: JSS)

Hint: Your actions have consequences. You mismanage clients and contracts, your JSS will reflect that. Frankly your responses to feedback will serve as a warning to other clients and do more harm to your chances of being hired than the 2 x 4.3 stars. (To clients they may say "More hassle than he's worth")

Client hires someone 8 times, which shows that very client would recommend hiring that freelancer

The client didn't hire you 8 times. The client hired you once.

Nathan A wrote:
It's kind of like ordering 7 plates of food and loving them so much you order one more,

No. It's like eating an 8 course meal and the food is great, but then the restaurant owner comes out and starts being a **beep**. On the way out, I am asked if I'd eat there again... I would not go back to that restaurant either, no matter how good the food may have been.

Nathan A · Jan 12, 2021 09:30:26 PM

Your second attempt was much better thank you