[Asterisk-Users] My consulting story

[Jay Milk]

Technical Support wrote:
> That's the nature of consulting - you have to balance demonstrating 
> competency with solving the problem before being paid.  We've had many 
> similar experiences, and we now require prepayment for 2 hrs service 
> before we do any work (or even talk to the client for more than a 
> few minutes).  (Despite attempts by potential clients to make the 
> sales call into a problem solving call).  We have undoubtedly lost 
> potential opportunities, but our "walk away with free advice" effort 
> has been almost eliminated.
>  
> The same goes for proposals.  I can't count the number of times our 
> proposals have become a do-it-yourselfer's guide to setting things up 
> by themselves.  I think it's great if customers want to do it 
> themselves, but don't waste our time!
>  
> I understand of course that it's tough for users too.  There are lots 
> of self proclaimed experts on the list who after hours of billed time 
> have done nothing for their money (we've cleaned up after lots of 
> those folks too).  These are usually the same people sending out flame 
> emails about how smart they are and how stupid everyone else is.
>  
> MD
Wow, big words from someone who operates so dishonestly as yourself, 
Michelle Dupuis.