Layout:
Home > Would you give up on this guy?

Would you give up on this guy?

October 30th, 2010 at 09:56 pm

I think I have a good reason to do so.

Here's the story....

I've had a business relationship with a freelance client that goes back 20 years. He gives me work sporadically, not regularly, but he always calls me when he's got something. He's my oldest freelance client.

Shortly after I started my full-time job, he came to me with a request to help him write a 40-page or so case study, which would likely earn him an educational designation in his field and be a feather in his cap, as only 200 others have this designation nationwide.

He started writing the case study a long time ago but other things get in the way. Like work and family.

So when he asked me to help, I explained that with my new job, the only time I could work on his project was on weekends, He was ok with that and said his goal was to have it done by end of the year. So I reluctantly said yes, becus I, too, feel incredibly stretched for time since starting the new job. It pays very well, and I don't need to freelance anymore, but my full-time job is temporary thru year's end and I may or may not get the perm job.

If I don't get the perm job, then my old freelance client's work would really come in handy. But if i get the perm job, i don't need it, and frankly, there are only so many hours in my weekend and i don't relish the thought of working every weekend thru year's end, which is likely what it would take to get this case study done.

But when I agreed, we scheduled a phone call to discuss the project. I spent a fair amount of time prior to the call reviewing all the emails, attachments and URLs he sent me. I was ready to go, and i'd blocked out part of my saturday to get started on this project. When he called me, he said he wasn't really prepared to talk in detail and could i wait til the following weekend.

Fine. Next weekend he called and again he wasn't ready. He said he had some handwritten notes he had to type up and then he'd email them to me. Never got them.

This was the 3rd weekend. We have a standing 8:30 a.m. Saturday date to discuss the project each week. He sent me an email Friday night saying he was meeting with a builder and couldn't make it at 8:30 a.m. and was there an alternate time We could talk? I emailed him back last night and said how about 4 pm. I never got a reply from him, but at 4 pm I was here at home, waiting for his call. It never came.

So we've had 3 weekends in a row when he's been a non-starter. I'm a little annoyed. He's procrastinating. I realize how hard it it to do this on your free time, but it's my free time too!

I think at this point I'm going to tell him very nicely that he'd probably be better off doing this himself. The problem is that i can't do any of the writing until i basically get a brain dump from him on what he wants me to say. And this requires we coordinate our time, which hasn't been working so well.

I feel I have a better than 50/50 chance of getting this perm job. No guarantee, but i i have such a full plate i really don't want this freelance job regardless. And if i do get the perm job, I'll immediately have to start studying for a securities license (FINRA Series 6) as passing it within 3 months of my start date is a prerequisite of keeping the job. So I'll have even less free time in early 2011 than i do now.

So whaddya think? I hate to leave someone high and dry, but he hasn't made much effort.

7 Responses to “Would you give up on this guy?”

  1. HouseHopeful Says:
    1288480062

    Unfortunately, I don't think its worth anymore effort unless he puts some effort in himself. I'd let the job go.

  2. Tightwad Kitty Says:
    1288492744

    Let him find someone else. Tell him that He has just use up your only available time that you had blocked off to do his job. You are now have a course to do for your current job that is a must do so you can no longer help him. End of story.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1288495737

    I agree with Tightwad Kitty. And if he can't get it together in October how much better is it going to get into Nov and Dec with the holidays?

    I took the series 6 and passed with an 88% the first time. I did read and study the quizzes on a regular basis before the test. I'm sure you'll do awesome!

  4. Homebody Says:
    1288530585

    Set up a time and then cancel on him.... do it 3 times!

  5. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1288549499

    Yes, Id thrown in the towel on this one. Unfortunately, he will probably procrastinate until the last minute and try to elicit your help then. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

  6. Looking Forward Says:
    1288553486

    I agree with above. The holiday time is here and that makes weekends busy for everyone. I'd wait until he contacts you again and then let him know you are now obligated with work and family commitments until February - at least. Smile

  7. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1288581673

    Ditto to the above statements. This guy is not respecting you or your time. He is not worth hanging onto.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]