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A collection of client horror stories from designers and freelancers on CFH.

The Punctuation Police Would Like A “Word” With You

, , , , | Right | October 2, 2023

A client requested a graphic with text on it.

Client: “Put that line in reverse commas.”

Me: “What? Do you mean quotation marks?”

Client: “Yeah!”

Me: “Why is that in quotation marks? Who are you quoting?”

Client: “Nobody. We just like how it looks.”

I Guess We’re Just Making Up Our Own Fax Facts Now

, , , , , | Right | October 1, 2023

Client: “There has been a mistake in the wording on the banner.”

Me: “I used the wording that you faxed to me.”

Client: “I did not send you a fax.”

Me: “Yes, you did. I have a fax that came from your office.”

Client: “I did not send you a fax. That did not happen. You must have sent that to yourself.”

Me: “I what?”

Client: “You must have sent that fax to yourself.”

Me: “From your office?”

Client: “Yeah.”

Communication Is A Struggle In Many Relationships, But This Is Ridiculous

, , , | Right | September 30, 2023

I ask a client for the photos for their website. One month later, I repeat my request. A few months later, still no closer to the project’s final milestone, I send yet another request.

Client: “I’ve had them for six months. You just haven’t asked for them.”

Me: “I asked before you took the photos and after you said you had them.”

I forward the client copies of these correspondences.

Client: “Oh, I haven’t read my personal email in five months.”

This entire conversation was taking place via that email address.

This Happens At Least Once A Calendar Year

, , , , , | Right | September 29, 2023

I work for a software company. I had a conversation with one of our clients regarding setting up a billing rate for an entire year. This was after twenty minutes of trying to convince them that 1/1/11 to 12/31/11 was a full year and that they were the correct start and end dates.

Client: “This isn’t making any sense! They can’t end in the same year if it’s a full year between the two dates!”

Me: “Yes, in this situation it can, because the dates are the first and last days of the year.”

Client: “This is unacceptable! What do I tell my boss?”

Me: “I’m sure they’ll understand.”

Client: “If I won’t, then they won’t!”

Me: “Sir, if no one in your company is familiar with how a calendar works, I’d be very surprised.”

They took it to their boss, and I didn’t hear back. I guess they got it!

How Can We Make You Get The Picture?!

, , , , | Right | September 29, 2023

I’ve created a printed document based on a client’s Word document. I’m also a web designer, but I am not involved with the client’s website.

Client: “We need to put that content online, so can you please convert the text to a JPEG?”

Me: “But if you convert the text to an image, visitors to your site can’t copy and paste the information. Also, posting text as an image doesn’t conform to the government regulations regarding web accessibility that your organisation is required to adhere to.”

Client: “Why can’t they copy and paste the text from a JPEG?”

Me: “It doesn’t work that way. Also, the text will be inaccessible to users with disabilities. Why don’t you just copy the text from your document and paste it into your content management system (CMS)?”

Client: “I only know how to upload images in the CMS. How about a PNG?”