Damage control?

[kellyportfolio]

Here's the scenario:

I did a project for a client doing around 100 'clipart' ilustrations in 2 days. It was a crazy turn around time. After I handed in the work, I didn't hear anything from the client even though I had left messages asking how the images were working and offering to revise anything she needed.

I finally heard from her 3 days later via email and she said that the images I sent her weren't looking good at 50 X 50 pixels.

This was the first time I heard that she needed the illustrations any particular size and even asked her right at the beginning what size she needed.

She's obviously less than pleased and stated in her email: "we've had to spend quite a bit of time making the images work at 50 x 50 pixels."

So, my question is, what should I do? I dont' want to slink away by not saying anything, and I also feel it is too late to revise anything, as I had offered to do so right when I turned in the art. Seems like a communication lapse or something...

What would you do in this situation? Do I apologize and then...? I feel terrible about this.

Thank you!!!!

[Lori]

Kelly,

Here's the scenario:

I did a project for a client doing around 100 'clipart' ilustrations in 2 days. It was a crazy turn around time. After I handed in the work, I didn't hear anything from the client even though I had left messages asking how the images were working and offering to revise anything she needed.

I finally heard from her 3 days later via email and she said that the images I sent her weren't looking good at 50 X 50 pixels.

This was the first time I heard that she needed the illustrations any particular size and even asked her right at the beginning what size she needed.

She's obviously less than pleased and stated in her email: "we've had to spend quite a bit of time making the images work at 50 x 50 pixels."

So, my question is, what should I do? I dont' want to slink away by not saying anything, and I also feel it is too late to revise anything, as I had offered to do so right when I turned in the art. Seems like a communication lapse or something...

What would you do in this situation? Do I apologize and then...? I feel terrible about this.

Thank you!!!!

That is a total bummer! Do you have all correspondance? I would definitely provide her with a copy of your initial email asking her about the size she needed.

Have you been paid? DO NOT go without pay on this. And if you do, INSIST that they do not use the images.

Did you watermark them?

Let me know how it goes. I never use contracts - which is nuts. This is a good example of why we all need them.

Lori

[Debbi]

Wow, that is just horrible. It looks like a lack of communication somewhere...I would do as Lori suggests...I would go thru all my old correspondence and see if you can find it documented that they did not specify a size.

Bottom line though..you should be paid for this project. If size was an issue, you could have changed the sizes easier than they could have, I am fairly certain! I would be very careful, also, because this may be their way of getting out of paying you. I'm not saying that IS what they are doing, but clients have been known to do this kind of stuff..I always worry about fast turn arounds and then something is wrong...maybe I"m just suspicious.

And not to harp, but this is a very very good reason why you must have a contract in place. NOt just to worry about the money issue, but it forces the client to sit down and carefully read what it is you propose to do, because most people don't sign things without reading.

Therefore, it helps to avoid any of this type of later problem.

That said, if it were me, I'd be trying to do some damage control. If I hadn't been paid, I would offer to make any further adjustments, within reason, for free, or I might take a cut on my pay, simply to keep the goodwill of the client.

If they aren't responsive to these measures, and you haven't been paid, I would request the return of the images prior to payment. Plus, what are they doing with all of them? Are they reselling? You have to protect yourself.

Keep me posted and I'll help you out any way I can. I have some contract documents kicking around, if you want one, let me know and I'll send it to you.

Good luck!


:D

Debbi

p.s. Don't let this get you down....communication sometimes is a skill that escapes everyone from time to time...this might work out just fine, but if it doesn't, stay positive. You are really talented.

[kellyportfolio]

Thanks for the advice, ladies!
This is definitely a hard kick in the butt for me to get my contracts signed BEFORE spending an entire weekend doing a crazy project. I guess, being new to the freelance thing, I am so eager to please, that I wasn't looking out for my own interests.

Still no word from the client. But my images are up on their site. It's for an interactive game for young girls. Definitely a learning experience for me.

:(

UGH!
Kelly :oops: