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Ethical/Moral Dilemma on Accepting Certain Clients

by JonathanBoettcher
17 replies
Hi guys,

I spoke to a person recently who wanted some help with SEO stuff on her site; I told her I'd take a look at it and see if I could help out.

I went and had a look at her site and found a bunch of stuff on there that I strongly disagree with for moral reasons. What it boils down to is I don't want to be associated with that site, or help promote its content.

My question is this: have you come across similar situations, and how have you gone about dealing with them?

I'm thinking of creating some sort of a "terms of service" or whatever document on my site that basically states some of these things - anyone have a good example of something like that?

Cheers
#accepting #clients #dilemma #ethical or moral
  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    Originally Posted by JonathanBoettcher View Post

    My question is this: have you come across similar situations, and how have you gone about dealing with them?
    I always tell them that I can't work with them since they're Satan's spawn.

    Just kidding.

    You can refuse the project without giving a lengthy explanation. If you feel like you have to say something specific, tell them you're not a good match to work on the project. Or tell them you're not a good match because you don't deal with X, Y, and Z.

    If you know someone who DOES deal with those topics, you can refer your client to that person.

    Cheers,
    Becky

    P.S. I don't have an example handy, but many service providers do list their terms on their sites. For example, you might see a copywriter saying they won't deal with gambling, the occult or porn.
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    • Profile picture of the author JonathanBoettcher
      Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

      I always tell them that I can't work with them since they're Satan's spawn.
      LOL yeah that might work

      Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

      P.S. I don't have an example handy, but many service providers do list their terms on their sites. For example, you might see a copywriter saying they won't deal with gambling, the occult or porn.
      Yeah - I'm trying to find a good example of something like this that I can borrow...
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
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        • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
          Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

          LOL, Becky - can I borrow that one? I love it.

          Tina G
          Sure you can. But they tend to get cranky when you tell 'em that... and the next thing you know your hair spontaneously bursts into flames. Just giving you a heads up.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Becky,
      I always tell them that I can't work with them since they're Satan's spawn.
      I came close to that once. The guy wanted me to write sales copy for email address harvesting software.

      My response was... less than polite.

      In a case like this, I'd probably just say, "I don't personally care for [subject], so I wouldn't feel the conviction necessary to do the job properly. You need someone who's more involved with this subject."

      Most people will respect that. You're stating a preference on the topic without making a judgment about the person. And you're telling them why you're not their best choice.


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author ahuddy
    Work is work and I am sure there are more than a handful of people who won't turn down any type of work. If you don't want to work on the site because of the nature of it, then just tell the person, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Way to go, Jonathan!

    Stick to YOUR principles and beliefs - not someone elses.

    Also, I don't want to sound preachy, so please take the following as a personal preference...

    If I were truly opposed to what a site is promoting, I wouldn't even recommend someone else they could go to. But maybe that's just me.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post


      If I were truly opposed to what a site is promoting, I wouldn't even recommend someone else they could go to. But maybe that's just me.
      That's an excellent point, Michael.

      You made me think about this more deeply. So far, I've only run into things I'm mildly opposed to -- but nothing illegal or nothing that makes me choke on my breakfast muffin. And in that case, I have no problem referring them to a friend who will do the work.

      But if I ran into something I was really, truly, STRONGLY opposed to (like child porn)... then yeah, I wouldn't deal with the person at all. And I wouldn't even know anyone I could refer them to, either.
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  • Profile picture of the author gcrocker
    I often just pass on the work. I'm turning away clients all the time. So if it's a site you'd prefer to not help, just pass on it and wash your hands of the whole thing.

    But if it's a site or prospect you don't feel like working with but don't with ill toward:

    The BEST thing to do is find a semi-competitor who you can refer projects like this to in exchange for a 10% referral fee. It's win-win-win. I have 4 firms I refer work to regularly, and they love me for it. (The firms have different strengths.)

    -glenn
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  • Profile picture of the author JonathanBoettcher
    Mind you, in the case of child porn you could actually be facing legal consequences for dealing with that party. I should think that would make things easy.
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  • Profile picture of the author IMChick
    Stick to your guns, but don't provide an explanation that goes past the business discussion into personal beliefs.

    It's probably easiest to keep it on a case by case basis unless you really want to amend your TOS, but I don't see the need for that. The appeal of the TOS is that it is easier to point to a policy saying 'sorry we don't do that' so you don't have to say it. But, really, how many times will that come up? And if it does come up again in the same area, that probably means that they didn't take the time to read the TOS and you'll still have to mention it anyway.

    I would just tell them that after careful evaluation of the project you determined that you are unable to help them at this time. Scheduling considerations (can't get it done in their proscribed time frame), More work is needed there than you thought, your company doesn't do X --which is what they neeed, or you don't deal with X.

    Good for you for having a dilemna!
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  • Profile picture of the author kswr123
    or you could give 'em a really bad site and be like
    'that's what you get you spawn of satan!'
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    • Profile picture of the author Craig McPherson
      Hey Jon,
      I reckon the best person to ask is the guy in the mirror.

      My Dad taught me years ago and it is so true....

      If you have to think about it, it aint worth doing
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      • Profile picture of the author JonathanBoettcher
        Originally Posted by Craig McPherson View Post

        If you have to think about it, it ain't worth doing
        Isn't that true... yeah.

        It's not so much that I have to think about whether or not to do it; the thinking comes in to determine a nice diplomatic way to tell them to shove off. LOL.
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        • Profile picture of the author Craig McPherson
          When you decide what to say can you give me a bell?
          A friend of mine wants me to build him a xxx d.v.d site.

          He said he will pay me 3K for it. I told him to nick off but he must think I am mucking around cos he keeps ringing asking how it is going.

          I initially told him that no hosting company will host such a site and he told me to build it anyway and he will find the host. DOH!!

          I have been unemployed since xmas so the 3K would have been handy but I will not compromise my principles for anything let alone filth like this.
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          • Profile picture of the author JonathanBoettcher
            Originally Posted by Craig McPherson View Post

            When you decide what to say can you give me a bell?
            A friend of mine wants me to build him a xxx d.v.d site.

            He said he will pay me 3K for it. I told him to nick off but he must think I am mucking around cos he keeps ringing asking how it is going.

            I initially told him that no hosting company will host such a site and he told me to build it anyway and he will find the host. DOH!!

            I have been unemployed since xmas so the 3K would have been handy but I will not compromise my principles for anything let alone filth like this.
            Good for you Craig, stick with it - it's not worth compromising, and when you do, it becomes a very slippery slope.
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  • Profile picture of the author iw433
    You don't need a reason. That is why you work for yourself. Just don't do it.
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