[fsk]

The problem with fixed-bid is that the client almost never has a decent specification. If I write the spec for free, I know he'll then just shop the spec around on freelance sites, and I wasted my time. They always get insulted when I say they should pay me for 1-3 days to help the write the specification. One guy expected me to give an estimate without telling me any of the details first.

I noticed that small businesses who want fixed-bid contracts tend to be cheapskates and they're the type of person who'll haggle every little detail and look for an excuse to refuse to pay.

I'd rather target the higher end of the market than the bottom of the barrel. Also, the work I prefer tends to have greater complexity than just churning out a simple site quickly, making fixed-bid less sensible.

[jpd750]

Fsk - do you think this is what happened here to me? "If I write the spec for free, I know he'll then just shop the spec around on freelance sites, and I wasted my time"

[fsk]

Probably yes. You learned a valuable lesson.

I don't know the details, so I can't be 100% sure.

From your description, he handed your spec to another employee, and now that employee is trying to implement the spec YOU WROTE FOR FREE.