bartering
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- bartosz
had a prospective client approach me with the idea last night after they'd looked at a quote for a job. they didn't think it was too expensive, but they didn't want to pay that much. so they proposed that they pay half and work out some kind of barter deal for the rest of the price.
doesn't really sit well with me right now, and i've never had this come up before. just wondering if anyone has done this and what the outcome was, good or bad? or should i just forget about it?
- blastofv0
depends on what they have to barter – if you're a freelancer, it could be a great way to earn what the project is worth where cash is not available... instead of just doing it for cheap for the sake of getting some work
- grunttt0
a friend of mine (a designer) barters often. He trades work for massages (professional) from one client. Another client is a photographer and he trades use of his darkroom and/or lighting equipment for design work.
- bartosz0
yeah, true.
well, what they can offer me in terms of technical work, i already have people that i'm loyal to and i'm not about to take something away from them. and when i explained that, they said "well, if you like horror, i can give you lots of horror dvds, or i can give you a $300 skateboard".
- rasko40
I would so 'sorry but no thanks'
nip that shit in the bud.
- grunttt0
what kind of fucking skateboard costs 300 bucks?
- bartosz0
and thanks for your opinions.
- blastofv0
it all comes down to relative value – if it's worth it to you, there's no reason to not work out a cash+barter. but keep it professional even with trade – you can get shafted on that stuff too, so put it in ink
- zombiewoof0
I have bartered for lawncare, vactaion rentals, tax preparation and a few other things. Services work better than goods, though...Don't use the stoopid barter companies, 'cause then the tax man can find you.
- zombiewoof0
and yes, always a contact...
- Nairn0
Presumably your project is around the
- Rand0
I admit, I've done it in a couple of cases--one restaurant, and one clothing store. I did it at the clothing store because I was sick of their handwringing about money and because I didn't think of them as a real client anyway
- mr_snuggles0
I'm designing 2 small websites for about €700 worth of records...
- Nairn0
{balls. bloody tag-stripping.}
"Presumably your project is around the 'Less Than' $1000 mark, which if they can't afford to pay means you should be wary. If it's a profit-orientated site and you're comfortable getting a future cut for the remaining 50%, then get it down on contract and go for it - otherwise, I wouldn't bother."
- bartosz0
thanks again... and yeah, i am wary. i have a feeling i'd get screwed over in the end and i'm not looking forward to that. and again, they really can't offer me anything i already don't have access to.
i think my mind is made up at this point.
- Tara0
that's just insulting tell them no way