> ... from the description of the OP > I doubt this will ever go anywhere. I agree entirely. In some ways this is a strategy to appear (and in fact be) prof

> ... from the description of the OP > I doubt this will ever go anywhere. I agree entirely. In some ways this is a strategy to appear (and in fact be) professional, while at the same time avoiding the death-spiral. The point is that you don't want this kind of client - you want clients who will * specify clearly * let you do the work * pay promptly There is always some give-and-take when you first start out, but this kind of client sounds like a complete pain, and a waste of time. You need to train him, or lose him. From your description they will never pay, regardless. Remain resolute - you are saving your time and there is no money to be lost, because they would never pay anyway. Unless they do, in which case you've established a new relationship.