Passing AF to clients - to do or not

[Duncanrr]

I was wondering if you pass along your AF cards fee to your clients. For example, I have Amex Delta which saves me on luggage check fees. If I didn't have the card then the client would have to pay for that luggage fee.

So, do you pass along the $25 fee to clients until your AF is covered?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you're kinda cheap. I wouldn't treat my clients like that...I mean its only $25. 

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt do buisness with you if you did that.

[ryanbush]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I wouldnt do buisness with you if you did that.

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is that 25$ going to make that much of a difference in your profit?  if it's not then I wouldn't take a chance of loosing a good thing over 25$.  if it will make a difference then do it for sure.

[dodfire]

I do not think this is a question of AF's I think it's a question of ethics and morals. If you want the "TRUTH" to your answer as to what you should do, ask your clients!! There is your answer.

[Duncanrr]

First - all bills I send to clients have every line item specifically called out and I bill them by the 0.1 of each hour with these hourly billables described in detail. Please refrain from questioning my ethics or morals as I adhere to the strictest of standards and clients are informed way ahead of the accural of any expense.

Second, I stayed at a cheap Econo-lodge for 2 months instead of the Marriott to save client money. I'm not cheap but I do pass reasonable incurred expenses to clients.

I was simply asking if y'all do this. Didn't expect these types of responses to a simple and honest question.

[dodfire]

I certainly did not mean to offend you. (sorry). The way that your post was written it sounded more like you were struggling with the "idea" of it ( to do it or not). That was the only reason I mentioned ethics or morals. Thus, the comment of "Ask your client" How would they feel about it. Again, I didn't mean to offend you!!

[Duncanrr]

Thanks for that reply. I take matters of ethics and morals seriously.

[dodfire]

So, we can still be ficofriends then???

[Open123]

Here's what I would do.

1.  For clients who are hassle free (not too anal), I'll list the charge with *complimentary* next to it.  This shows there was a charge, but I've waived it since I value their business.

2.  For clients who are pains in the posterior (the anal kind), I will list and charge them for every single expense.  And, if they complain, I sugges they take their business elsewhere.

The clients I like and who aren't too much of a hassle, I try to give perks whenever the opportunity presents itself, such as Christmas Visa gift cards.  The clients who have been "pains," I play **bleep**-for-tat, especially since I no longer rely on their business as I once had when starting out.

I guess, we all have our own "blacklist."