Just finished a project and the client’s asking for a refund. Caught me off guard. Never had this happen before in my three years of freelancing.
Trying to figure out the best approach here. Anyone dealt with this kind of situation? Wondering if there are standard practices for handling refund requests on completed work.
Refunds are a pain. I’d say check your contract first. If it doesn’t say anything about refunds, you might not have to give one. Maybe offer a small discount on future work instead?
Nah don’t give money back. I’d tell 'em tough luck buddy. Jobs done time to pay up.
First, review your contract and the project details. If you delivered what was agreed, there’s no need for a refund.
Ask the client why they want money back. Sometimes it’s just a misunderstanding that can be cleared up.
If they’re being unreasonable, stand firm but politely. Offer to make minor tweaks if needed, but don’t give away your work for free.
For future projects, always get a deposit upfront. It helps avoid these situations.
Been there, done that. Had a client try this on me last year. It’s a tough spot.
First thing I did was double-check our agreement. Make sure you delivered what you promised. If you did, you’re on solid ground.
I called the client and asked what was up. Turns out they were having cash flow issues and were trying to claw back some money. Not cool, but at least I knew what I was dealing with.
Didn’t give a refund, but I did offer them a payment plan to spread out the invoice over a few months. It worked out okay in the end.
After that, I started asking for 50% upfront on all projects. Cuts down on these surprises.
If your client’s just unhappy with the work, see if you can fix it. But don’t let them push you around if you’ve done your job right.
Oof, refund requests are always tricky. Here’s how I’d approach it:
If the work’s done and they approved it, you shouldn’t have to refund. But sometimes it’s worth bending a little to keep a good relationship.
Maybe offer:
Whatever you decide, stay professional. Use it as a chance to tighten up your process for next time.
And yeah, definitely get deposits upfront from now on. Saves a ton of headaches.
Don’t budge on refunds for finished work. That’s not how this business operates. Ask why they want the refund. If there’s a real issue, offer to fix it. If they’re just being cheap, stand your ground. Make sure your contract spells out a no-refund policy for the future. Might want to get a deposit upfront next time too. Keeps clients from pulling this kind of stunt after the job’s done.