charging clients for script license

[fcm]

I recently had to purchase a DHTML menu script for a client's site, and am wondering if I should charge him the full cost ($130- a lot for my small biz clients) of the site license. I did not explicitly tell him that there would be a charge for such a thing (I doubt he has any awareness of what goes into such work) but told him to expect a larger-than-normal charge, as I had to redo his 2 year old navigation to accomodate new pages and architecture. I wasn't planning to use the script at the time, but it turned out to be the best option. Any thoughts on this, anyone? I am unsure what to do.

thanks!

[Jonathan]

I'd go about this with one of two ways...

#1 - If you use this for or plan to or even MIGHT use it in the future for another
project (assumes the license is multi-site) then I say only charge part of the fee.

#2 - If you use this ONLY for this client's website then yes, charge him the full price.
JMHO..

[Fran]

Time will tell...

I recently had to purchase a DHTML menu script for a client's site, and am wondering if I should charge him the full cost ($130- a lot for my small biz clients) of the site license. I did not explicitly tell him that there would be a charge for such a thing (I doubt he has any awareness of what goes into such work) but told him to expect a larger-than-normal charge, as I had to redo his 2 year old navigation to accomodate new pages and architecture. I wasn't planning to use the script at the time, but it turned out to be the best option. Any thoughts on this, anyone? I am unsure what to do. thanks!

If you host the site, perhaps an increase in the monthly fee over a period of time might recover the cost and provide him with a reasonable increase he can better absorb in his cost of doing business. Just a thought...

- Fran

[Pedja]

I think you made severam errors inporcess:

1. you had to inform your client about exact cost before you decided to purchase anything needed and make agreement with him if he is willing to by tool for himslef or pay increased price

2. if your clients are "small" then do not offer them expensive solutions

3. idea of basing navigation on DHTML menu is questionable as this is not user and environment friendly option. You should stick to tools that provide better usability

4. Why paying so much money for DHTML menu? That is generaly simple thing to program, and if it cost so much it seems as it has so much functionality that it is hardly needed. Unneded balast of JavaSCript code which will not be used goes along with it.


Solution: talk to your client. After that talk, DHTML menu on that price will simply be out of question, I guess.