I'm currently on holiday, and while I was away, a client contacted me about his hedge trimming service. We had previously scheduled it for September, which I reiterated. The client insisted that the timing wouldn't work since the hedges would be too overgrown by then. To accommodate him, I rearranged my clients and set a new appointment for when I return from holiday, extending my working hours from 1 PM to 7 PM to get it done (I usually finish at 4 PM). Now, after four days, he informed me that he's hired someone else to handle the hedges and will advise me on what else he needs when I return in five days. I'm feeling awkward about telling him I can't keep that time slot because I've adjusted my schedule to accommodate him. I'm questioning why I'm even holding onto this client, given the circumstances. Would you let someone like this go, and how can I do it politely without being unprofessional?
3 Answers
You shouldn't feel guilty about letting go of clients that cause more stress than they're worth. Being self-employed means you have the right to choose your clients based on how they value your time and efforts. But don’t rush it; evaluate if the client usually brings value to your business. If they’re not worth it, it's perfectly acceptable to cut ties.
Honestly, this client sounds like a bit of a headache. Enjoy your holiday and don’t stress over it too much! You deserve a break. And about the other client who’s late with payment, consider dropping them too. You need to focus on clients that appreciate your work. Remember, if a job isn’t worth your time or effort, it’s okay to pass on it!
It's understandable to feel uncomfortable about telling him the new slot isn't available. I’d suggest being straightforward. You could say something like, 'Thanks for letting me know about the hedges. I had moved some clients around to prioritize you since it seemed so urgent and I wanted to help. Since you've had it done now, I'll go back to our original schedule for September. If that doesn’t work, let me know so I can open that slot up to a waitlist I have. Things are tight for me right now, so I hope that's okay!' It's clear and professional.