Two people I knew were setting up a podcast and asked if I would like to be involved. One of them already had a successful web series, so I was confident things would pan out.

I offered to design a logo for free since I was going to be a key member of the project:

Client: No, no. We'll pay the market rate. 

I was thrilled. Eventually, we settled on a design we were all happy with.

A few weeks went by when I didn't hear anything. I posted several messages in the Slack chat we had created for the podcast.

Me: Hi, guys, just wondering where things on your side?

I didn't get a response. In fact, I never heard from either of them again. It turns out that the two of them were dating when they came up with the idea for the project and I had no idea. The silence in the Slack corresponded to what had apparently been a very messy breakup. They were no longer on speaking terms. Needless to say, the project didn't go anywhere. I never did get paid.

Client: So we'd like to pay you on a sliding scale of $800-$1600 depending on how much we like the music you compose for us.

Me: Part of my fee includes revisions to make sure the music I write meets your requirements and is to your liking, so no.

Client: Tell you what - why don't we call it $1400 and if we REALLY like your music, we'll throw in that last $200 as a bonus.

A man contacted me about doing a full day's worth of photography for a conference he was hosting in Jersey City. My general day rate is around $1250 for event coverage.

Client: Would you be willing to barter? I could hand out your business card at the event? 

I'm a make-up artist. A client messaged me with these requirements:

Client: Hey! I know this use last minute but I need you to come do my make-up TODAY. I'm about an hour away in a neighboring town, and I'll need you to volunteer your time. But I can give you some photos as payment!

When I told her I don’t do “for trade” work she said “too bad”. 

I started a job a few months ago. I received a 50% down payment with the balance due upon completion. Scope creep inevitably occurred:

Me: I'm happy to add these features, but I'm going to charge my hourly rate in addition to what we agreed while implementing them.

Client: Fine. 

On Monday I sent the final invoice to no response, then sent a follow-up email today (April 5). 

Client: Oh. We didn't respond because we thought that ridiculously high invoice was an April Fool's Joke. 

Before I begin, I know I made some mistakes here and have learned from them. 

I was just starting art commissions when I had a problem with my PayPal. Unfortunately, I had agreed to do some work already, so I explained the issue to my client who said it was no problem. They were fine paying once I got everything all settled. I felt bad for the delay and let them have the work early.

I had a lot going on, i.e. moving, so it took me a lot longer than expected to get my PayPal issues sorted out than I expected but I finally got it ironed out.

Me: Hey! I'm just letting you know I got PayPal together so I can accept payment for that commission now. 

Client: Oh wow, it's been a while, haha. I'll get on that.

I thought everything was good. A week later, no payment. I messaged him again, no reply.

This went on for a few weeks. I kept messaging, he didn't reply until finally after weeks:

Client: (upset) Look, I know the payment is important to you, it's just tough getting it to you so long after I was supposed to pay you. 

Me: If this moment is difficult for you, I understand that. Do you know when you'll be able to pay me? 

I gave him a month and sent him a message. 

Client: It's hard for me to pay at the moment. Anyway when you buy something it should happen right then, not when I need the money for something else. 

Me: You agreed to pay me when my PayPal was back up. If you weren't comfortable with that you could have said no. 

Client: Well it's your fault for taking so long! I don't want to pay for something this long after I get it!

Eventually, I realized the issue wasn't that they were experiencing "hard times," it's that they just didn't WANT to pay me that long after the fact. 

I asked the client to take down my art and never got paid. I learned a lot at least.