Retainer client pays on time but never responds
Automatic monthly payments keep rolling in while required client approvals and tasks sit completely untouched for months. This communication blackout stalls project launches indefinitely and forces freelancers into a state of passive waiting where they must choose between chasing unresponsive clients or simply collecting payment for idle work.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1documenting work and waiting for the client to eventually reach outDid this help you?
- 2treating non-communication as permission to let the client be and enjoying the reliable incomeDid this help you?
- 3sending a single monthly summary email with clear deadlines and placing blocked items into a backlogDid this help you?
- 4including contract clauses stating that unaddressed work is deemed accepted after a set periodDid this help you?
- 5scheduling periodic face-to-face or video meetings to force interactionDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I have a client who is on an automated, monthly retainer with me but he rarely ever gets back to my messages.”source ↗
“There are a few projects that have not launched yet since he has not done x, y, x on his end.”source ↗
“He'll maybe get back to me once a month saying he'll schedule some time with me and never does.”source ↗
“I have a retainer client EXACTLY like this! I've learned to just deliver and if I get paid, it is what it is.”source ↗
“I have a client exactly like that. Can be annoying to deal with, but don't take it personal.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6How to tell a client their bookkeeper is incompetent
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- 7What to do when an online seller stops responding after purchase
- 5Clients who refuse to fix underlying problems before repairs
- 4How to handle clients ghosting during project discussions
- 20Clients who ghost after you finish the work and don't pay