Would you take on a client you hate?

Well sorry to say but you may not be a people's person. But that is okay. We all had a boss that we hated.

Business and work is not about friends or how much you enjoy it--so yes, I would take on such a client.

If you hate a client but are still prepared to work with them then make sure you don't lower your standards. It would be easy to lower them out of spite, but doing so will only serve to ruin your reputation and ethics.

I myself, would never work for a client I hate, as hate is a very strong word. To me it means a lot more than someone I just dislike, it means they would be someone I wouldn't think twice about smashing to a pulp if I had a chance.

Consider each client carefully, are they able to help you further your business, or will they just drag you down?

I probably wouldn't....Sure it's money but is it really worth the annoyance of having to talk to the person you hate?
Maybe I'm just weird - for example, a couple of weeks ago I decided not to go for a job I could have gotten, purely because the guy in charge was a dickhead at the interview. I knew I would have had a completely miserable time working with him, so I decided not to go for it. The same applies for my design work I think.

I would take it on provided they do not obstruct the path to completion. I do not mix business with subjective judgement.

Originally Posted by Julian I myself, would never work for a client I hate, as hate is a very strong word. To me it means a lot more than someone I just dislike, it means they would be someone I wouldn't think twice about smashing to a pulp if I had a chance.

i'm with Julian on this one, i make more than enough from clients i dislike to take on a project from someone i truly hate.

If i was offered a position or project for like, Jerry Falwell or PETA, i just don't think i could accept it.

Actually after i typed that out, i may accept it, but they'd have to agree to a pretty hefty ridiculously high bid

Originally Posted by dereklapp well i hate lots of people, but i'd still take them on. i requie at least 1/3 up front, so if we're both aware of the difficulties i'll make it clear, i can put differences aside, but if they're going to be a **** just because, i'll drop it without a refund. if they can be mature and not be an idiot, we'll be fine.

bingo!

I really would depend on how much work I had at the moment, the projects size and how my own life were moneywise. I mean if I had enough money then I would def. turn them down. But that is rarely the case

Well, if the reason why I hate him/her is strong enough, then I probably wouldn't allow my service to him. It all depends on the situation.

Does the client have a hint that you dislike him? If he does, why would he approach you for your services? If he has no clue that you hate him, then it should mean that you hate him for something that he is unaware of.

Whether or not I would take on a client I hate would depend largely on what kind of service I was providing to the customer. If I was merely providing a service where minimal contact/communication is necessary, and I can just get on and provide the service, I dare so i'd have no problem with that.

In the area of web design / development, however, where communication and understanding is key to helping the customer achieve their goals, I doubt I would be prepared to take that customer on - not simply because I hate them, though. If I felt my hatred for that customer would hinder my ability to communicate with them properly (and perhaps increase the risk of the project failing to produce the results the client hoped for), I would consider turning that customer away.

I would prefer to turn away some business, then take someone on with whom I have a sloppy relationship, disappoint and fail them, and ruin my reputation.

At the end of the day though - if you we are talking in terms of us hating the customer (and the customer not having any hatred for us), I guess we should just try and be mature and professional about things, and not let it get in the way of the project.