Had a client meeting at a coffee shop in Austin that went completely sideways

We were going over a website redesign, and they pulled out a printed contract with a clause giving them full ownership of my initial concepts, even if they didn't hire me. I shut my laptop, said I couldn't work under those terms, and walked out. How do you guys handle contract red flags when you're already face-to-face with a potential client?

3 comments

3 Comments

max_cooper2126d ago

Printed contracts in public are the worst. My people-pleasing smile once got stuck on so hard I almost nodded at a non-compete for my entire industry. Took a gulp of iced coffee to buy time and mumbled something about my lawyer being weirdly possessive. Never again, my dude.

felixm2927d ago

Printed contract at a coffee shop is such a massive red flag, like they planned that ambush. Good on you for walking out right then, that clause is basically theft. I would have been too stunned to even speak. Always trust that gut feeling when the paperwork looks wrong, even if it's awkward in the moment.

davis.olivia26d ago

Actually saw a legit contract signed at a cafe last week, but they emailed it first.