Recently had a client cancel a big project just hours before the deadline. It’s got me thinking about my refund policy. I’ve always been pretty flexible, but now I’m wondering if that’s hurting my business.
Anyone else deal with this? How do you balance being fair to clients while also protecting your time and income?
Look, here’s how I handle it. Non-refundable deposit up front, usually 30%. That covers my initial time and keeps tire-kickers away. Rest is split into milestones. Client pays as we hit each one.
For last-minute cancellations, I charge a fee. It’s in the contract, plain as day. 50% if they bail within 48 hours of deadline. Keeps me from losing my shirt when someone flakes.
Main thing is, spell it all out in your contract. Make it clear from the get-go. Most clients understand when you explain it’s about protecting your time and business. Just keep it straightforward and stick to your guns.
Cancellations suck. I just tell 'em no refunds after I start work.
I’ve got a simple policy: no refunds once I start the work.
For big projects, I break it into milestones. Client pays for each chunk as we go. That way, if they cancel, I’m not left empty-handed.
It’s all in my contract. Clear terms upfront save headaches later.
Yeah, last-minute cancellations are a pain. I’ve tweaked my approach over time:
The deposit covers initial work and weeds out flaky clients. Milestones keep cash flowing and limit risk. For sudden cancellations, I charge a percentage based on how close we are to the deadline.
Key things:
It took some trial and error, but this setup works for me. Protects my time without scaring off good clients.
Remember, it’s your business. Don’t feel bad about having solid policies. Good clients will understand.
I feel you on this one. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
For me, it’s all about deposits and milestones. I take a non-refundable deposit upfront. It’s usually 25-30% of the total project cost. This covers my initial time and commitment.
Then I break the project into stages. Client pays at each milestone. If they cancel midway, I keep what I’ve earned so far.
For last-minute cancellations on smaller jobs, I usually charge a cancellation fee. It’s in my contract - like 50% of the project cost if they cancel within 48 hours of the deadline.
It took some trial and error to find what works. But having clear policies saves a ton of stress. And most clients respect it when you explain why it’s necessary.
Just remember to be upfront about your policies. No one likes surprises when it comes to money.
I just keep it simple. Take a deposit upfront. No refunds after I start. Put it in writing so there’s no confusion. Saves a lot of hassle later on.