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From: "Aunt Lizzie's Trunk" <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] Advice on Difficult Client
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:31:42 -0400
References: <COL107-W2B2BF46E59EEB05FBD60692EF0@phx.gbl>,<CABPpKTib7y6V7SfrkWw+NVbr+UNBWA7HHNTRqw=GSU+4EvTOBA@mail.gmail.com>,<COL107-W36DCCBF36B4784E91E41F892EF0@phx.gbl>,<CABPpKTiO44QxABRwqGt1L=zkhGZNU5_2wXRck-OBg3-+S9qW+w@mail.gmail.com><COL107-W16F453C85AF4D5EBD45B0792EF0@phx.gbl>
In-Reply-To: <COL107-W16F453C85AF4D5EBD45B0792EF0@phx.gbl>


My advice (now that the horse has escaped through the open barn door)
would be to not let 35 hours elapse without pay. Anything could happen
that would keep your from getting your fee. And I never send a report
(yes, it's an absolute) before I get my money. I got burned on a couple
of small jobs for seemingly nice clients. Now I explain that experience
to new clients and I've never had anyone back out or complain.

Nora Galvin
Bridgeport, Conn.

On 10/24/2011 3:42 PM, Melanie D. Holtz CG wrote:
> Good points, Harold. Perhaps a clear explanation in writing within the report also as he has said he will be sharing the report with family members.
>
> Truthfully, I don't need further work from this client but I want to be paid for the 35 hours already invested. It has been a challenging project and I spent two back-breaking 16-hour days on-site (after getting terribly lost in the mountains trying to find this town).
>
> Thank you all for helping bring clarity to the situation.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Melanie D. Holtz, CG(sm)
> Holtz Research Services
> http://holtzresearch.com
>
> CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by board certificants after periodic competency evaluations by the Board.
>
>
> ________________________________
>> Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:28:26 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [TGF] Advice on Difficult Client
>> From:
>> To:
>> CC:
>>
>> Melanie --
>>
>> Kimberly may well be right (and her pre-work proviso is surely a good
>> one); she is nicer than I am. And I will admit that in more than 100
>> clients from all over the US I have never had this happen.
>>
>> But my first question is, how badly do you need this client?
>>
>> I have to wonder whether he is angling to get some free research here,
>> or just clueless. Since you proceeded in good faith, having advised him
>> of the necessity of what you were about to do, I don't see anything
>> wrong with making sure he is fully aware of what he told you, and
>> kindly but firmly asking him to pay the bill that is now due.
>>
>> I wouldn't do it in a nasty way, but the facts are (1) you have done
>> nothing wrong and (2) he has done nothing to deserve free genealogical
>> services.
>>
>> If he said he needed a new kitchen cabinet made, and you made one and
>> brought it over, and he said, "Oh, I have one like that right here, I
>> can't pay you for making that," would you do some additional free work
>> for him?
>>
>> Harold
> The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list.
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