Anarchy99
Footballguy
In 2005, I had a customer approach me for a marketing / content development project of which he paid a 50% deposit. The project was started and reached a point where I needed additional information from the client to complete. He was fully aware of what his tasks and deliverables were, but he did not provide the additional information. I tried multiple times to reach him to finish but had no success. The client did not get back to me, did not ask for any of his deposit back, and did not pay anything toward the remaining balance.
Yesterday, after 10 years, the customer called up out of the blue wanting to "finish" the project. However, he doesn't want to truly pick up where things were left off and wants a change of scope in terms of the strategy and direction of his project (and to bring things more current to today's standards). I am evaluating his request and reviewing what he wants done. No cost structure or pricing has been discussed yet (which I would normally do but was not prepared to get into on the spot after ten years).
My concern if I try to demand payment of the previous balance, he will refuse and I won't get anything from back then and he will not proceed with anything now. I am also concerned that if I don't make some attempt to credit him something from before he will also pass on any new business.
My initial thought is to give him an inflated quote for the new project and extend him full credit from the deposit of the initial project (which in reality would cancel each other out). In reality, that would really mean the stuff from 10 years ago is dead and buried and we are starting fresh again now (but he wouldn't know that).
How would people suggest handling this one? Please pick from the options in the poll and/or post what you would do in this situation.
Yesterday, after 10 years, the customer called up out of the blue wanting to "finish" the project. However, he doesn't want to truly pick up where things were left off and wants a change of scope in terms of the strategy and direction of his project (and to bring things more current to today's standards). I am evaluating his request and reviewing what he wants done. No cost structure or pricing has been discussed yet (which I would normally do but was not prepared to get into on the spot after ten years).
My concern if I try to demand payment of the previous balance, he will refuse and I won't get anything from back then and he will not proceed with anything now. I am also concerned that if I don't make some attempt to credit him something from before he will also pass on any new business.
My initial thought is to give him an inflated quote for the new project and extend him full credit from the deposit of the initial project (which in reality would cancel each other out). In reality, that would really mean the stuff from 10 years ago is dead and buried and we are starting fresh again now (but he wouldn't know that).
How would people suggest handling this one? Please pick from the options in the poll and/or post what you would do in this situation.
