How far do I go with for an Ex-client

[mapdesign]

Hi all, need a bit of advice.
I've just lost a contract, drawing maps/plans, with a large client (purchasing department sends out quote to multiple supplies and everyone has to come back with best price).
I've been working with/for them for the last 3 years and we had a provisional meeting booked this month to discuss some work I did for them a few months back. I've now been informed formally by the purchasing department that I have lost the work, but the department I work with still wants me to come in for the meeting, through it's now being called a "hand-over".
Anyway I have a thing about not burning my bridges but my partner/wife/boss says that they are "extracting the urine" and who is going to pay me for the loss of a days work plus traveling expenses. (The client won't pay this as they have very strict policies about these things).
So should I go to the meeting on the off-chance of getting back-in the future?
or
should I make the point that I need to be paid?
or
should I just say no?

I should add that I have gone above and beyond the call for these clients even through it was never really a big amount of money but I lost the contract completely on price.

So advice please, what should I do?
Thanks

 

[willitbe]

Why would you attend a hand-over for free unless you were still involved in some way?..

Bad form to expect you to do this for free. Say you will but your time isn't free, nor are you expenses!.

Stand your ground and remember nothing in life is free!

 

[WarbyGK]

Why should you do this for free? Where was their loyalty when they bombed you off for a cheaper competitor? The competition priced the job up without you, so let them deal with the "handover". Unless your wages and expenses are going to be covered then spend the day drumming up new business for yourself instead!

 

[chip_y2kuk]

It's a difficult one it sounds as though they are indeed "extracting the urine"

but if you don't play along will they send more business your way in future?

i understand in their contract they have a clause that says they won't pay expenses and the such but (and not knowing what you do) surely they will have to pay you for what you have done already for the handover to take place?

I hate it when big companies think they can bully little people trying to work hard for an honest wage.

it would seem that it's really up to you, but if it was me i would get the hump about them letting you do work and then giving the contract to someone else! (but it happens to everyone!, even me!)

Joe

 

[skyhi2]

Depends if it will impact on other contracts you have in place.

Would it,say,get " around " that you never turned up for the hand over ?

Are your clients in a localised area ?

Do you care what your other clients think ?

Answer yes to any of the above,then best to turn up and bite the bullet.

No ? then stuff em,as your wife/boss/partner suggests.

Just my tuppence.

Skyhi2

 

[Dawg]

They chose to go for lowest price with the customer service that will bring. They should be prepared to pay you, and if they are not, don't do it. Do offer a written report so as not to leave them in the lurch, but a report of your choice and timing: brief and to an agreed time, but make 'em wait an extra week. Leave it so handover problems, should they occur, can be solved with a consultancy. By you, at consultancy rates. (Consultancy rates: think of a figure, double it and knock off 10%)

Those thoughts of contracts in the future can be put aside:

a) Do you want to be treated like this again?
b) By not making a stand you are sending a message to them, (and other customers), that you can be messed with.
c) Future contracts with them will be won on price, not service or Mr Nice Guy.

If you can't spend that day on directly earning work, why not spend it servicing existing, good, clients with an extra bit of care and attention?

 

[MH1]

I think my attitude to this situation would depend on the terms the original contract was issued to you, did it make any mention of a free handover meeting in the event of them awarding the work to another company?

If you took the contract knowing this might happen then you should do it, if not then you should charge for your time and expenses. I would also suggest you get a letter agreeing to the figure in advance to save any problems with collecting the monies.

 

[Tej]

Hi all, need a bit of advice.
I've just lost a contract, drawing maps/plans, with a large client (purchasing department sends out quote to multiple supplies and everyone has to come back with best price).
I've been working with/for them for the last 3 years and we had a provisional meeting booked this month to discuss some work I did for them a few months back. I've now been informed formally by the purchasing department that I have lost the work, but the department I work with still wants me to come in for the meeting, through it's now being called a "hand-over".
Anyway I have a thing about not burning my bridges but my partner/wife/boss says that they are "extracting the urine" and who is going to pay me for the loss of a days work plus traveling expenses. (The client won't pay this as they have very strict policies about these things).
So should I go to the meeting on the off-chance of getting back-in the future?
or
should I make the point that I need to be paid?
or
should I just say no?

I should add that I have gone above and beyond the call for these clients even through it was never really a big amount of money but I lost the contract completely on price.

So advice please, what should I do?
Thanks

Is there anything wrong with the work you did for them? They need you to sort that out presumably. Are you still responsible for that work?.. If so.. you would probably be obliged to go and sort that out.. IMO
.. at your expense!!

 

[Mpg]

I would try and go out with a bang.

Be as nice as you can, You have built up 3 years of business with these guys but in a recession the lowest price wins.

If you keep your fingers crossed then these cheaper guys will balls up royally and your name will be top of the list to help them fix it

Then you bump up your revised quote to include a little extra.

 

[PI Guy]

They chose to go for lowest price with the customer service that will bring. They should be prepared to pay you, and if they are not, don't do it. Do offer a written report so as not to leave them in the lurch, but a report of your choice and timing: brief and to an agreed time, but make 'em wait an extra week. Leave it so handover problems, should they occur, can be solved with a consultancy. By you, at consultancy rates. (Consultancy rates: think of a figure, double it and knock off 10%)

Those thoughts of contracts in the future can be put aside:

a) Do you want to be treated like this again?
b) By not making a stand you are sending a message to them, (and other customers), that you can be messed with.
c) Future contracts with them will be won on price, not service or Mr Nice Guy.

If you can't spend that day on directly earning work, why not spend it servicing existing, good, clients with an extra bit of care and attention?

couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

MH1 has a good point.Was there a contract between you and them? If so,is this eventuality covered?

 

[Graham001]

It may not be fair but thats life sometimes in business. If you upset them then they will exclude you from any future bids, also individuals from the purchasing dept. could turn up working for another client and will remember you. It can be a very small world. Show that at least you can be professional.

Hi all, need a bit of advice.
I've just lost a contract, drawing maps/plans, with a large client (purchasing department sends out quote to multiple supplies and everyone has to come back with best price).
I've been working with/for them for the last 3 years and we had a provisional meeting booked this month to discuss some work I did for them a few months back. I've now been informed formally by the purchasing department that I have lost the work, but the department I work with still wants me to come in for the meeting, through it's now being called a "hand-over".
Anyway I have a thing about not burning my bridges but my partner/wife/boss says that they are "extracting the urine" and who is going to pay me for the loss of a days work plus traveling expenses. (The client won't pay this as they have very strict policies about these things).
So should I go to the meeting on the off-chance of getting back-in the future?
or
should I make the point that I need to be paid?
or
should I just say no?

I should add that I have gone above and beyond the call for these clients even through it was never really a big amount of money but I lost the contract completely on price.

So advice please, what should I do?
Thanks

 

[mapdesign]

Hi, thanks for all the great advice, one of the problems of working for yourself is the only people you really get advice from are the dogs, and "bite them" is not that useful in the business world.
Anyway there was no contract with them, everything was done through purchase orders. Also when I started the work for them they had some very experienced members of staff who told me what they wanted, these staff are now gone and I was actually taking up the slack for them.

With regard to the work I've done for them in the past, I have no problem sorting out anything thats wrong with it, thats what they paid me to do, the work is all print related and I can't physically fix anything on-site with just my laptop so they could and have in the past just sent me corrections by email.

While there is a nasty bit of me that does hope that the new company will balls it up, but they are professionals and the work is well within there experience so they should have no problems (though that galls me to say it).

My personal choice is to "don't burn the bridges", but I'm still going to lose a day's work to go to the meeting, and I actually think that they want me to tell the new people what they need to do and how it's to be delivered etc. All the stuff I was told back in the beginning.

aaargh, it was so much simpler when I had a job working for someone else...

 

[Tej]

Hi, thanks for all the great advice, one of the problems of working for yourself is the only people you really get advice from are the dogs, and "bite them" is not that useful in the business world.
Anyway there was no contract with them, everything was done through purchase orders. Also when I started the work for them they had some very experienced members of staff who told me what they wanted, these staff are now gone and I was actually taking up the slack for them.

With regard to the work I've done for them in the past, I have no problem sorting out anything thats wrong with it, thats what they paid me to do, the work is all print related and I can't physically fix anything on-site with just my laptop so they could and have in the past just sent me corrections by email.

While there is a nasty bit of me that does hope that the new company will balls it up, but they are professionals and the work is well within there experience so they should have no problems (though that galls me to say it).

My personal choice is to "don't burn the bridges", but I'm still going to lose a day's work to go to the meeting, and I actually think that they want me to tell the new people what they need to do and how it's to be delivered etc. All the stuff I was told back in the beginning.

aaargh, it was so much simpler when I had a job working for someone else...

I think you are doing the right thing by not burning your bridges.

A days work lost.. at the end of the day.. not a big deal.

Will stand you in good stead.. reputation intact.. and a bit more respect , I feel

Good luck

 

[Tom McClelland]

I am literally gobsmacked by the idea that anyone thinks you should do this for free. In my opinion that would be the completely unprofessional thing to do. Doing a handover for free instantly devalues all past and future work that you do for them. It implies that your time and effort is of no value.

They have made it clear that they are no longer your client. Therefore they pay the normal daily rate for the hire of a professional in your business + expenses. If they want you to do this for free then ask them if every one else in the meeting (including any client employees present) will also be giving their time without payment?

I don't buy the idea that this could damage you. What might damage you is the idea getting round that you can be walked over.

I assume that they've paid you for all work done to date?

 

[Tej]

There are businessmen and there are businessmen

 

[KingsandQueens]

How long is the hand over meeting for and would you be able to do the whole hand over in one go?

Personally I would go to the meeting but make sure its for a set time period, you have another appointment with a new client at x O‘clock and can’t be late. If they require any thing else then the competitor can hire you as a consultant after the initial meeting.