It appears to me much of the problem written about in this article is the client not knowing what they wanted from the start and explaining it. If a client sim

It appears to me much of the problem written about in this article is the client not knowing what they wanted from the start and explaining it. If a client simply says, "how much to build cool stuff?" I cant answer because I have no idea what they mean by "cool stuff". In order to help them they have to give me more details of what they want. Which in some ways is a warning sign to me about the client, if they don't really know what they want it already makes me question if I even want them as a client. Them knowing what they want directly relates to my ability to tell if I can make them happy. My approach is "well before we get to ballpark let me know some more information about what you are looking for so I can make sure I get this as close as possible." I call this hand holding, you hold their hand and you walk em through it if you think they are worth it, or you cut em off early and don't waste your time. I learned a long time ago some clients are not worth it. Also I wouldn't make a post with this sort of tone and tie it directly to yourself, I know exactly what you mean but to others it may come off in a "negative" light. A potential customer can read this and think well I like ballparks and don't want to get lectured about it so forget this guy. I would take more of the positive approach and frame it as "Dear client let me help you get a better ballpark figure".