Beware of 'mates rates'

Let's say I need a new website.  A friend has a web designer friend who has just gone freelance and he gets in touch.  We grab a coffee to chat about what I need and what he offers.  The conversation moves onto the obvious common ground of the vicissitudes of self-employment; there is bonding, even a sense that we're kindred souls.  Inevitably, in the name of our new friendship, he offers to do the work for me at 'mates rates'.

Superficially it makes sense: he's new to self-employment and not all that busy right now.  Thinking aloud he says that there seems to be a synergy between us.  He muses that maybe we could even look to collaborate on projects in the future.

I haven't said a word.  I shouldn't have even agreed to meet for coffee.

Even though he doesn't know it, the deal on the table is that he'll sell me some surplus time in order to buy access to my client list.

What do I get?  Because we're 'mates' I don't get to shop around and compare suppliers because that would imply disloyalty.  I don't get to change specs as my needs change because any move on my part to expand the project will be discouraged: he gets no additional return on the deal for any extra work I need done.

Worst of all I lose the right to insist that deadlines are met.  I know that if a 'real' client comes along I'll immediately drop down the priority list.  I'm left in the perverse position of hoping he's not that good a designer because I don't want him to be busy!

By agreeing to a bargain I give up all the advantages of being 'the client'.  I don't get to expect the level service that I give as a supplier.  The absolute best I can expect of the deal is a decent website done at cost plus a favor owed.  The worst is very, very ugly.

So I don't accept 'mates rates'.  Not from lawyers, accountants, web designers, graphic designers, writers, printers, anyone.

I don't accept them and I certainly don't offer them.