..reply to someone who asked you to do a design for much less than you charge? Whats the reasoning to why we charge what we do and why we cannot charge less. Its late and I cant think of a reply- I want to be kind and curtious as always and help those who ask to understand so it can only benifit them in the future, and us of course. do you get what I am getting at? 2009-06-02T21:52:31-04:00 9 2009-06-02T20:34:58-04:00 35771 false false 3884 2802 1 2009-11-08T01:46:35-05:00 351 i just give a small discount, but never more than $50.00 that usually works for me. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T20:37:13-04:00 1029261 13245 2009-06-02T20:37:13-04:00 I usually try to keep two things in mind. 1. What is the lowest I would do work for? Once you set that, try not to go below it. 2. How much would I make at this rate if I broke it up per hour? Other than that, I would say stick to your guns and explain to the client that this is your income and you have standard rates for a reason. Everyone has to pay bills so everyone should be able to understand that part of it. There are definitely cases in which to negotiate, but if you don't forsee the benefit outweighing the time you spend, I would say its not worth it. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T20:39:46-04:00 1029281 1541 2009-06-02T20:39:46-04:00 you guys are missing the point big time here. Just be a good guy Az, and tell them that you are too busy and that you can not do it for such a price:) you know the reason.. but in the end, you decide your price. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T20:59:07-04:00 1029581 3643 2009-06-02T21:02:11-04:00 just palm them off say your schedual is full 35771 Post 2009-06-02T21:03:25-04:00 1029641 1486 2009-06-02T21:03:25-04:00 <blockquote><cite>eZ-kun said:</cite> .. but in the end, you decide your price.</blockquote> that sounds way too cool to get it right. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T21:07:17-04:00 1029701 9980 2009-06-02T21:07:17-04:00 I normally say something like this if I want get rid of the person in a nice way: "Sorry but I don't go below my normal rates so I'll have to decline your offer. However, I hope we can still work together in the future once your budget permits it." It's not closing the door on them but keeping it ajar so they know that if they up their budget, they can still work with you. Sometimes it works because they come back to you a few days after saying they "suddenly" have the budget to pay you your rates. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T21:16:23-04:00 1029841 1259 2009-06-02T21:16:23-04:00 <blockquote><cite>collisiontheory said:</cite> I normally say something like this if I want get rid of the person in a nice way: "Sorry but I don't go below my normal rates so I'll have to decline your offer. However, I hope we can still work together in the future once your budget permits it." It's not closing the door on them but keeping it ajar so they know that if they up their budget, they can still work with you. Sometimes it works because they come back to you a few days after saying they "suddenly" have the budget to pay you your rates.</blockquote> That's a really good strategy. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T21:18:15-04:00 1029861 3643 2009-06-02T21:18:15-04:00 The reason we demand a minimum is simply that it takes a minimum to survive off of a trade. We make sacrifices in our industry for doing what we love, but we have lives and dreams and families and enjoyment doesn't keep a roof over our head. Additionally, our services are valuable and our skillsets are the product of devotion to what we do. Assigning value to your work is just common sense. You don't pay me for what I do, you pay me for what I know. That is the creed of all manner of professionals. You don't pay an accountant for filling out papers, you pay them for knowing all of the ins and outs of taxation and bookkeeping and thus keeping your earnings safe. Similarly you pay me for knowing exactly what about a graphic design will make it more valuable to your audience and my skill in producing it. To demand any less than a premium for a skill which is so immensely necessary for successful businesses would only serve to degrade our craft, and sap the quality from it. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T21:25:26-04:00 1029931 997 2009-06-02T21:25:26-04:00 I would break it down for them as an hourly rate. I've noticed that people who look to negotiate on rates are more quantitative than us artistic qualitative types. They need itemization so they know what they are paying for so it makes sense to their brains. The clients that just say "Whoa, name your price" are qualitative and understand the gut reaction of art. Like everyone else you need to make a salary, pay overhead, bills, etc. The qualitative types get that, while the quantitative types need the details. 35771 Post 2009-06-02T21:52:31-04:00 1030281 3884 2009-06-02T21:52:31-04:00