I was asked to quote a business owner a price for a yearly marketing campaign.

After visiting his location, reviewing his products and services and interviewing his staff I presented my quote. 

He looked at me and said, “that’s more than I as the owner make in a year.”

My reply: “and?”.

He responds, “well I can’t pay you more than I make, that wouldn’t seem right.”

Me: “seem right to whom?”

Him: “well, me.”

Me: “and that’s why I can’t help you.”

Him: “what do you mean you can’t help me?”

Me: “you refuse to see the bigger picture, you are more concerned by how much you pay others and how it effects your ego.”

Him: “well, maybe if we can lower the price a bit then I’ll feel comfortable.”

Me: “you will never feel comfortable no matter how much the price is lowered.”

Him: “how can you make an assessment of me, when you’ve only been here a few hours?”

Me: “I didn’t make that assessment over the few hours I was here, I made it in the last few minutes of this conversation…and frankly, we’re done.”

Moral of the story:

A client may look the part, sound the part and even act the part, but if at anytime your gut tells you something is off, walk away.