Lost another client yesterday

[HUNT]

I cannot believe there are people selling themselves so damn cheap. I have been doing the layout and mechanicals for this 80 page book for 3 years (40 hour job) worth $3,000.

My client called me Friday saying they found a local small shop that would do it for $1,700 and wanted me to match that. I was being fair at $3,000, so I said I am hear if they are not satisfied with the work. We are killing ourselves selling out so damn cheap.

Lost a rebrand 3 weeks ago to some freelancer that said he would do it for $350. The company had been around for 7 years and was rebranding themselves and you charge $350? Whomever tries to bid work for this company in the future is screwed.

[philaarts.com]

hired paul garder... gtfo hunt!!!

[HUNT]

gtfo? Get the fuck out?

I am lost in the acronyms these days.

Sorry for the rants. I am just really stressed with some medical stuff with my family. I can't vent to my wife and my best friend died last year so I am quickly learning I don't have many places to really let it out. This place has always been here for me in the past. A community of like minded people.

[mictron]

it's just a result of our current economic climate, i'm afraid. people are so desperate for work that they're willing to unrealistically undercut everyone else.

the worst part about it is...i suspect that the work itself probably suffers. i would imagine that you're going to do better work than the guy that's going to do it for half as much but people LOVE settling for less. does it look like shit? of course, but we saved a few bucks!

it's an mp3, downloadin', wall-mart world we live in now.

pretty goddamn sad.

[HUNT]

Hell yeah it's sad. I need the money to, but I just can't sell myself that low. It just doesn't feel right, but once I'm fighting to pay the mortgage I am sure this will feel different.

[ben swift]

don't sell yourself short!
good luck Hunt!

[Hrabovsky]

Oh man I hear you. I've gotten to the point to where I'm putting in apps for jobs I did in school. Kitchen and bullshit wage slave jobs. Fuck it. Do what you gotta do. Markets are flooded. Talked to a cat who ran a 3 man shop who is looking to drop one and a lady at a 14 man shop who is down to 4. As one man act, it's harsh laying yourself off. Which is essentially where I'm at. Good luck and fuck all the designer a go-go lowballwers messing up our livelihood.

[Plantweed]

When I freelanced I took an easy part-time job doing phone surveys for a teacher's union. Got us through the tight weeks. Ain't no shame in looking out for your family.

[RichieGoodtimes]

Sad Trombone

[austininin]

it's all the stupid over saturated art school people here in portland. the schools are cranking them out and then they think they can do whatever they want and be rock stars. there is going to be a lot of terrible work out in the world for a while to come.