Unpleasable clients

Sorry David I wasn't meaning to sidetrack: I had read what you said and was seeking a solution.

I think that when we meet a client face to face, there is a chemistry, and we know whether we can work for them and, from the clients point of view, they like us and our work or they don't: Face to face we are able to assess the individual client and the perametres of their contractual requirement but ,I find, working from PPH is slightly different. Through PPH we may still enjoy our work and be proud of what we do, but we work purely to an end and, for me, that is to bd straightforwardly, satisfy the contract by competently producing the required work with the aim to gain the fee and get the review.

I actually prefer the remote-ness of PPH because, I feel the intangibles of culture, personality, age and appearance can be largely set a side in exchange for clear communication, agreed price, good work and timely outcomes.

That said, you have raised a very good point and, especially when we are working via PPH, I question whether your voice of experience is advising that we should spend more time ensuring customer satisfaction is achieved? As this prevents the client from having a chance to leave a bad review?

Are you suggesting that it is wise for us newbies to seek a compromise that will allow the client to review fairly, even if they don't feel there has been an adequate solution?

Yesterday, I asked PPH to consider revising the 'Comments' box on the PPH Invoice because I don't think it says 'what you write here will appear on the freelancers record'.

I think maybe you have also picked this up and know that we should consider whether clients are aware of the consequences of their actions when they write bad news in the comments box? Maybe this is something we can ask PPH to investigate?

On a positive note...I think if you David have a load of great Reviews and only one bad Review, then this speaks for itself and I look forward one day to being in the same enviable position.

I once had a bad review which showed I didn't meet the deadline, but it was impossible for me to do so. My client had a child in hospital and was unavailable for comments for almost a week. In theory, I was one day late and didn't meet the deadline, but there was nothing in the Review to question whether the fault was hers or mine?

I can only hope the other excellent reviews I have will outweigh the negative inferences from one client and I am sure you do the same.

Did you say you have 59 good reviews? If so, you must be a very capable professional freelancer and it is obvious that you have very high standards and a quest for excellence in your work, so I hope that one negative review will not taint your PPH reputation or prevent you from enjoying your next PPH job.

I am sure that PPH values your work and needs experienced freelancers like you as that is what expands their business and opens up opportunities for us new PPH freelancers.

After reflecting on all that has been said here,  I am going to take Sofia's advise and, where possible, read the clients previous reviews before I bid for work . I am also going to message the client before I raise an invoice and ask whether the client is 100% satisfied with my work. If there are issues, I am going to address these before I invoice and run the risk of recieving a negative review. 

I am sure that PPH will already be following up on my request to revise the clients opportunity to leave comments as they pay their invoice, so the client is aware their note in the Invoice Comments box will appear on the freelancers PPH record and moderate their comments accoringly.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, I feel sure you have provided a lesson worth consideration to all PPH freelancers and I am sure David that your next PPH contract will return the top notch status that your obvious professionalism and highly respected and valued PPH work deserves.