Had a guy at a coffee shop in Austin tell me my freelance rates were 'ripping people off'

He was some full-time employee in marketing and said I should charge half of what I do because 'it's just side work.' I asked him if he'd take a 50% pay cut just because someone thought his job was easy. He didn't have an answer. Has anyone else gotten this kind of lecture from a stranger?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylanmurray15d ago

@riley_taylor cool story indeed, same guy once told me my coffee was overpriced.

dixon.spencer28d ago

Hold on, a stranger actually stopped you to give you pricing advice? That's wild. Did he also offer to pay your bills if you lowered your rates?

riley_taylor28d ago

Honestly, @dixon.spencer is right to call this out, but I feel like people get way too pressed over a stranger giving unsolicited advice. It's not that deep most of the time. Just nod, say "cool story," and move on with your day.