Bullshit Startup Experiences

[GailWynand]

I've been working as a developer for 5 years, usually as a contractor, and almost exclusively for startups, in-between stints on my own projects. There's so much bullshit in startups. Here's one from yesterday:

founder: i need some work done on my app
me: ok, what do you need done, specifically?
founder: what's your hourly rate?
me: $$.
founder: will you accept less than half if I pay you cash?

I hadn't even given a quote yet, but dude thought he needed to pay me a lot less than what I wanted.

What are some of your bullshit experiences with startups?

 

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[Lex DeVille]

I've been working as a developer for 5 years, usually as a contractor, and almost exclusively for startups, in-between stints on my own projects. There's so much bullshit in startups. Here's one from yesterday:

founder: i need some work done on my app
me: ok, what do you need done, specifically?
founder: what's your hourly rate?
me: $$.
founder: will you accept less than half if I pay you cash?

I hadn't even given a quote yet, but dude thought he needed to pay me a lot less than what I wanted.

What are some of your bullshit experiences with startups?

I ran a startup and paid my developer exactly what he asked.

He failed to deliver.

I paid another developer to fix the first developer's mistakes and paid him what he asked.

He failed to deliver, blew me off, then asked for more money. I paid.

He made a whole bunch of excuses why he couldn't do what I asked then failed to deliver again.

Maybe the dude on the other end hasn't had great experiences with developers.

Especially those who can't take the ball and run with it.

By the way, you may want to make an introduction post before someone gripes about it.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[GailWynand]

Oh, where should I make an introduction post? I am new here

 

[Andy Black]

I've been working as a developer for 5 years, usually as a contractor, and almost exclusively for startups, in-between stints on my own projects. There's so much bullshit in startups. Here's one from yesterday:

founder: i need some work done on my app
me: ok, what do you need done, specifically?
founder: what's your hourly rate?
me: $$.
founder: will you accept less than half if I pay you cash?

I hadn't even given a quote yet, but dude thought he needed to pay me a lot less than what I wanted.

What are some of your bullshit experiences with startups?

Welcome.

That example isn't specifically for startups. Non "startup" clients will often haggle with you too.

I've lots of issues with startups. If they're using "startup language" I'm immediately backing away.

Mostly I think it stems from them "building" things, rather than trying to help people. I posted about that before here.

 

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[johnp]

I just did that to a dev the other day for a small project (I'm not a startup though because I'm always going..nothing to start here..)

He said no.

I'll go find someone else now....Happens all of the time.

That's just part of business.

 

[Andy Black]

Oh, where should I make an introduction post? I am new here

https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/forums/introductions-networking.16

Also, read/listen to the book if you haven't already. You can get the first 3 chapters free.
When you've read it, reply to the "I've read the Millionaire Fastland" thread to get your snazzy badge.

And here's a good thread to start with.