I wonder if you considered whether this agency pulls this exact playbook intentionally and repeatedly?
I don't think they are made up of honest people in the first place.
My personal guess is that this is a perfected game that they play with all their customers:
1. Give a reasonable quote
2. Start the project on a reasonably productive cadence
3. Scope creep, deliver items that are outside of what the customer wanted but proves work is being done. Withhold any deliverables that would end the project.
4. Repeat step 3 until the customer gets fed up
5. Customer terminates the contract, quickly finish the deliverables in the 30 days and wrap it up with a nice bow to reduce the chance of getting sued. Customer got what they wanted – sure, it was over-budget, but we delivered!
This company played you, and it was difficult to read the article because of how I wanted to tell you to stop being so forgiving to them through each step of the process. I think there is a time and a place to be a demanding customer.
I am shocked you had a "postmortem" with Isaac, and that you even said that Isaac was candid! I absolutely disagree: all he had for you was excuses and bullshit. Isaac's kindness, to me, all seems like part of the plan. He's there to make it look like they gave it an honest try.
I don't know why you aren't at your lawyer's office writing some sternly worded letters.
I don't think they are made up of honest people in the first place.
My personal guess is that this is a perfected game that they play with all their customers:
1. Give a reasonable quote
2. Start the project on a reasonably productive cadence
3. Scope creep, deliver items that are outside of what the customer wanted but proves work is being done. Withhold any deliverables that would end the project.
4. Repeat step 3 until the customer gets fed up
5. Customer terminates the contract, quickly finish the deliverables in the 30 days and wrap it up with a nice bow to reduce the chance of getting sued. Customer got what they wanted – sure, it was over-budget, but we delivered!
This company played you, and it was difficult to read the article because of how I wanted to tell you to stop being so forgiving to them through each step of the process. I think there is a time and a place to be a demanding customer.
I am shocked you had a "postmortem" with Isaac, and that you even said that Isaac was candid! I absolutely disagree: all he had for you was excuses and bullshit. Isaac's kindness, to me, all seems like part of the plan. He's there to make it look like they gave it an honest try.
I don't know why you aren't at your lawyer's office writing some sternly worded letters.