Six months ago I received an email saying they needed my help on a project and that I came highly recommended.

I thought great, this sounds like a fantastic opportunity. So I presented a quote. It was verbally accepted.

So I sent a contract.

A month goes by, the person still hasn’t signed the contract, yet has a dozen questions. I happily reviewed.

Another month goes by, still no signed contract and they have more questions. And apparently they want me to send over the quote again as they lost it.

So one more time I send the quote and answer questions. They ask if it’s possible to have the project finished by May. I say we still have 90 days and if you sign the contract and send a deposit we can get moving.

Ugh, no contract and no payment.

Another month goes by and they request the quote again. So now this is the third time I sent a quote and I am wee bit irritated.

So now we are on the 6th month and there is no way to have this project done by May. And lo and behold I get another email from this guy now wanting more information and more references.

Um, nope. I’m done.

I respond, “I don’t like being strung along so either we do the project or we don’t. No more questions, no more me sending you a quote and no more waiting. If you wish to move forward then a deposit of 20% needs to be made in the next 10 days.”

To which the person replied, “but I referred people to you and I spoke highly of you, but you know I have to do my due diligence, it’s a lot of money.”

This person received a recommendation to use my services and referred people to me but yet wants to make sure I’m legit. The problem here was time, the person had too much time to overthink, to justify the expense and to disqualify me as the one to help him.

As for me, the takeaway lesson…don’t wait six months.

Get a commitment right away!