Just lost $350 because a client wanted a 'quick edit' on a video that turned into a whole new project.

They asked me to trim 30 seconds from a finished ad, but then kept sending new clips and asking for new graphics over text. I didn't get a new contract or deposit for the extra work, thinking it was small stuff. After two weeks of back and forth, they said the original scope was met and refused to pay for the extra hours. Has anyone else had a 'small change' blow up like this? How do you shut it down fast?

4 comments

4 Comments

finley78420d ago

Man that's rough, sorry it happened to you. The part that jumps out is calling it a "quick edit" from the client's side. That phrase is a huge red flag now in my book. It almost always means they don't see the work involved. Even trimming 30 seconds can mess with pacing and audio if you're not careful. Next time maybe shoot a quick email right away saying "happy to help with these new graphics, let me send a separate quote so we're clear." It stops the scope creep before it becomes a whole thing.

robin89620d agoTop Commenter

Remember my buddy who got a "tiny tweak" request? That turned into a full day of reworking the whole sound mix.

xenam842d ago

Ever had that happen with something you already bought? Like sean48's landlord calling a full paint job a touch-up, I had a store try to charge me a "small restocking fee" for returning a shirt. It ended up being like a third of what I paid, and they said it was for "processing and inspection." I mean, it was just a shirt, not a car. Idk, maybe it's just me but that feels like they make up fees for stuff that takes two seconds.

sean4820d ago

Ugh, that "tiny tweak" thing is everywhere. My landlord called a full kitchen repaint a "quick touch-up." A friend's boss asked for a "small update" to a report that needed a whole new section. People just don't get how one change can unravel a whole system, like pulling a thread on a sweater. It's never as simple as they say.