Discussion:Am I getting crabby in my old age?
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Discussion Forum Index --> General Chat --> Am I getting crabby in my old age?
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 15 August 2012 |
| I provided my client with a copy of the spreadsheet I use to calculate their GE Tax because the officer manager was having a difficult time understanding how it was done. I had the best and friendliest of intentions in doing that. However, now it's making me feel like I'm turning in my homework, or giving my mom my homework, and it's undermining the client relationship. The questions the OM asked in an e-mail today, weren't particularly relative to the calculation, more like the teacher responding to your homework. I'm holding off responding until tomorrow just to cool down. I believe my response is going to be to the questions in the e-mail and then to add a comment about not providing my internal workpaper in the future because "you seem to understand the process and it is not customary for me to provide internal workpapers to clients". I know I'm venting here, I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has a better way to put that to a client other than "if you don't trust me then do it yourself". | |
| 15 August 2012 | |
| Actionbsns - no you're not getting crabby in your old age. I know what you mean - I have a client like that and do hesitate to give her workpapers lest she nitpick. She rattles me and I end up spending more time than needed on the project, which increases her bill a lot.
So, the old adage that annoying clients become less and less annoying as you raise your fee helps. | |
| 15 August 2012 | |
| Give an inch and they'll take a mile. Very wise to hold off until you cool down. | |
| 15 August 2012 | |
| I'd let her know that explanation time/nit-picking is additional billable unless there is a mistake. | |
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 15 August 2012 |
| Thanks everyone. Fred, now is a time I wish I had your cool ability to interact with the client. I don't want to lose the client over this, I basically like the client and the challenge of their work. I just want the OM to stop this tirade she seems to be on. It's one thing to want to understand how something is prepared, and I don't mind helping with that. But now it feels like it's taken a whole different level. Talking it out here is really helping to organize some thoughts that I think I can put into action and have it not sound like I am an all knowing, arrogant, #@$, a position that I detest in others and strive not to convey myself. Thanks, again. | |
| 15 August 2012 | |
| Thanks, the OM is probably just wanting to learn so she can do it herself. Let her know that you'd be happy to teach her, but that becomes a paid service.
My motto is that I will do as much or as little for you as you wish. | |
Spell Czech (talk|edits) said: | 15 August 2012 |
| And *none* of this means you *aren't* getting crabby in your old age. But I'll bet I'm older and [can be] crabbier!! | |
Actionbsns (talk|edits) said: | 15 August 2012 |
| Irving, I concede to the master. | |
Spell Czech (talk|edits) said: | 15 August 2012 |
| Just today, I was told that cynicism is a wonderful mask for lack of knowledge, insight, and understanding. What an endorsement!! | |
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