Vent: A client in Austin offered me a $500 bonus to finish a project early, but the contract didn't say anything about it.

Now they're saying the 'bonus' was just a verbal 'thank you' and I'm out the cash, which taught me to get every single financial promise in writing before I even start the work, so has anyone else had a client try to walk back a payment promise like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_avery2mo ago

Wait, isn't a bonus for finishing early still a payment promise? It sounds like they're just trying to avoid paying you what they said they would. Getting it in writing is the only safe move now.

henry1892mo ago

Nah, gotta disagree here. A spoken bonus is just a nice idea until it's on paper, it's not a real promise. Seen too many "bonuses" vanish once the work is done. Getting the contract right from the start is what actually saves you the headache, not chasing a handshake deal later.

jessica_hernandez172mo ago

Ugh that's so frustrating. I used to think a handshake deal was good enough if the client seemed nice, but I got burned almost the same way last year. Now I won't even order supplies until the payment terms are signed, it just saves the headache. How early did you actually finish the project for them?