Time Is Money; I Give You My Time, You Give Me Money

I’m responding to a query about a T-shirt design with a quick turnaround. After sending the potential client my portfolio…

Client: “Can you sketch/design a graphic of this? If we like it, we will pay you and use it on a T-shirt.”

Me: “I can do a sketch, but this isn’t a situation where you pay me if you end up using my work. Look through my portfolio, decide if you like my work, and you can commission me to create a graphic for you based on all that information. So, with that said, my rate for this type of drawing is $60. Let me know if you’re still interested in working with me and I’ll be happy to get started.”

Client: “I can’t believe you would talk to your boss this way. You are fired.”

Me: “I can’t believe you’d ask an ’employee’ to work for free.”

Client: “You aren’t an ’employee’. Did you get my previous message? You are fired.”