The pitfalls of buying a ham sandwich. Recently, and increasingly, I have been given opportunity to quote for a variety of scripts in my function as a freelance coder, and probably six times out of ten the person I am quoting for chooses a cheaper option (Maybe im too expensive?). This isn't me complaining about people undercutting me, or even people who want scripts not wanting to pay for them, this is simply me giving some advice that you may find relevant when quoting on a project or finding a coder. I often have people asking me for a quote that have good and sometimes even great ideas which they believe will make thousands or millions of dollars, but who also want to have that script made for $5 and a ham sandwich. This is my own opinion on my interactions with such people. Very simply, and probably nine times out of ten when they choose the ham sandwich option, they pay the cheapest coder for whatever that coder feels worthy of delivery. This, albeit a standard market approach, is often false economy. I cant tell you how many times, after following up with people I had quoted for but who chose the ham sandwich option, they tell me things like 'He delivered the script, but there are a *few* bugs (following which they proceed to list a multitude of script breaking bugs)', or 'He took my money and gave me something that did only what I asked, but it isn't really what I want', or something along those lines. After which I find myself quoting for *fixes* to a script I wouldn't inflict on any of my clients. Here is some advice then, considering what I have said above. Coders: Always vet your clients... If they want to pay for a ham sandwich, let them pay for a ham sandwich, tell them that that's what they are doing and follow up later on, but clearly they aren't confident enough in their idea to offer someone some sort of remuneration worthy of a good construction. Clients: Always vet your coders... Try to talk to them one on one (via skype or something) and ideally try to talk to some of their previous clients. For sure look into what scripts they have done and ask them detailed questions about things like delivery, bugs, the process of creating the script, and such. And if you cant afford the coder you think is best, dont shoot yourself in the foot by paying for a ham sandwich, save up and actually pay for a decent functioning script that will give you the best chance of success. Put yourself in your coders shoes, would you ever spend 2 or 3 months working full time for the same money that you are prepared to pay your coder, and if so, how hard do you think that you would work. Please PM me or reply with your experiences (good or bad) with quoting on projects or with coders. I am preparing a website for just this sort of thing. Cheers Alex