When you know you can't complete a job

Caitlin Level 1

December 19, 2013, 4:59 am

Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

What will you do when you have worked a significant amount of time on a project and come upon an insurmountable situation where you know you won't be able to complete the job or provide the results the client is looking for. Will you simply cancel the job explaining why you can't complete the job? Let's say this is an issue where there is no way around the situation. Or, will you just keep going and turn the work in anyway and hope to get paid?

Comments

Please login or sign up to leave a comment

Join

Ashlyn

If you are sure you won't be able to provide the work as agreed to, you will need to cancel the job. You don't want to turn in an unacceptable job as this could risk your rating.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

angie828

Cancel the job but also send a note saying why you had to cancel it. Most will be understanding if the event is out of your control.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ralph101

Never turn in a job that you do not think is 100%. this is the fastest way to lose clients!

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Beverly

Just do your very best everytime. That is all you can do. Of course, there will be situations outside your control such as sickness, family emergency, computer malfunction (such as if you can't get online to work). In those situations, you just have to explain to the client what is going on. Many will be happy to work with you. You might have to delay work until you are able or work less, but whatever happens, just stay in contact as best you can with the client so they know you are trying to fix the situation. And, if you see you really can't finish the job for some reason, then say so. At least you tried your best.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Minolta

If you can't do the job, then you can't do it. And, you should be able to cancel it so your customer can move on. Even if they don't understand your reasons, at least they have the money back and at least part of the work done so they can find someone else who could help.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Riley

I wouldn't be so quick to cancel a job, but might wait a few days to see if the situation could be resolved. There's a chance you would come up with an alternate solution which would allow you to save the job and still complete it and get paid.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

elladavidson

I would have to just explain the situation to the client and hope that they understand. Everyone has things that are out of their control once in a while.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

rozzski999

Just PLEASE let the customer know as soon as possible, there is nothing note annoying then being told the day before its due you cannot complete it. This has a knock on effect for the customer and their customers will now all not the order as well.

Let customers know EARLY!

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

angie828

If you can't do the job, then you can't do it. And, you should be able to cancel it so your customer can move on. Even if they don't understand your reasons, at least they have the money back and at least part of the work done so they can find someone else who could help.

Very good point. There are some that will never understand but they should be happy if they got their money back.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

barry

Explain to your customer that you are having a rough time. Hopefully they will understand about it. If they have been working with you for a while they most certainly will.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

ricky44

Just work the best you can and try to get it done. If you can not, do not run from it. Contact the client and let them know what the issue is and hope that they understand.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

twilight

tell the buyer what is going on and hopefully they will understand fully. If not then you might just have to suck it up, which is not always fair but life is not always fair.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Layla

Very good point. There are some that will never understand but they should be happy if they got their money back.

If the client is getting some work done but still having a refund then there should be no hard feelings involved.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Miken34

If you can't do the job, then you can't do it. And, you should be able to cancel it so your customer can move on. Even if they don't understand your reasons, at least they have the money back and at least part of the work done so they can find someone else who could help.

I agree. Let them know as soon as you can so they can find someone else because they have deadlines as well.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Gemison

If you can't do the job, then you can't do it. And, you should be able to cancel it so your customer can move on. Even if they don't understand your reasons, at least they have the money back and at least part of the work done so they can find someone else who could help.

You should cancel this before you are too far into the job though, or else you will have already given some work for free and then you won't get any compensation for your time invested.

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

NaturalWriter

What will you do when you have worked a significant amount of time on a project and come upon an insurmountable situation where you know you won't be able to complete the job or provide the results the client is looking for. Will you simply cancel the job explaining why you can't complete the job? Let's say this is an issue where there is no way around the situation. Or, will you just keep going and turn the work in anyway and hope to get paid?

What I find helps with this situation is that as soon as you receive one order for a time consuming job, I set my delievery time to give me more time complete jobs I get thereafter. I also explain this in my status as well. This way you can better cope with incoming orders, and still have a little time for you.

If however, I found myself totally swamped, I would have to mutually cancel, as I wouldn't want the client to have a late delivery. With that being said though, I would also tell the buyer when you would be available and give them the option of having you message them when everything is completed. When you know you can

13 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?

Russet

Your most important asset is your reputation and the best way to protect it is honesty. While it is unfortunate that you won't get paid for the work you did, the basic error of accepting a job you were unable to be is on your side. Take it as a learning experience. Explain in an upbeat but transparent way that the job unexpectedly had requirements you are unable to meet at this time.

8 years ago

Are you sure you want to delete this post?