William wrote to pick my brain.
Anastacia, I really have enjoyed reading Virtual Moxie for the past four years. I’ve learned so much about how to build my graphic design business in your posts here. Thank you. What I want to ask you about is something I’ve never seen you write about—negotiating rates with vendors. What do I need to know or think about in advance of trying to get better rates on things like print services, or from my accountant?
William, thank you for being a part of the community here at VMoxie! So nice to see a guy!
Since you’re a long time reader, you no doubt know that I suggest that one make his fees appropriate, and never reduce them to take care of someone else. And so my thinking about negotiating with vendors follows suit.
If you choose reputable vendors you're attracted to and trust, one of the ways you should trust, in my view, is in the way they charge for their products and services. If you don’t care for that, or don’t find it fair or right, then don’t work with them, and find vendors who are a better fit for you in all the ways that matter to you.
Walking away is always your right. But unless you’re prepared to have people ask you to discount your fees, don’t ask others to negotiate their rates for you.
I believe there’s a karmic issue here. What goes around certainly will come back around. Make sure that what comes back to you is exactly what you want.
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