[Sigia-l] Freelance IA consulting: Discovering the cost of do ing business

[Ziya Oz]

"Avi Rappoport" wrote:
> No one has ever asked me what I charged on my last project.  My
> clients, and I think most of yours, do not get together and check on
> pricing -- they have no clue what I charge other people.

In this thread, we have been talking about the problematic nature of trying
to raise one's rate with the *same* client, who has now associated you with
a discount rate.

In any case, you don't always get to set/negotiate rates directly with the
client. There could be intermediaries from recruiters to HR people to 3rd
party consultant toll-takers, who would indeed want to know your rate
history. If you happen to work in a real city like NYC, people will ask. :-)
 
> But if I didn't charge a lot, they wouldn't take me seriously.  Weird but
> true.

I agree. Again, the scenario here is you and the client want to work
together, and the client *genuinely* doesn't have the budget (cutbacks,
economy, etc). What do you do then? Take a lower rate or, as I've been
advocating, keep your rate but fudge the discount.

Or get a domain like 'ThisCorporation99%Bad.com' and start badgering them
for a payoff. :-)

Best,

Ziya