When my most annoying client tries to recommend a new client

[dkh]

 my outward expression..... oh sorry not taking any new clients

 my inward feelings.....!!!!!

[PATAX]

@dkh you are exactly right and that is the same reaction I have. But every once in a while we take a prospective pita client, and it actually turns out quite well, but that serms to be the exception to the rule.

[dascpa]

It pains me that I turn away so many potential individual clients but the 1040 season is so short (other than the thank-goodness extension ones).  Also, knowing that when someone calls during the summer or fall and needs help they'll just turn into another 1040 during the height of the season.  I believe the local practitioner who handles small business and individuals is a dying breed.  I'd love to find someone competent that I could hand all my potentials to, collect a small referral fee and then spend my days sipping daiquiri's at the beach while the bank account just grows and grows.  Ok, back to payroll tax returns

[IRonMaN · Accepted solution]

Birds of a feather flock together.  PITA clients have PITA friends.  It's kinda like fleas ----------- once you are infected by them it's hard to get rid of all of them.

[joshuabarksatlcs]

I'm a sucker for optimism.  I'm also full of myself when it comes to making judgment in taking on clients. 

I've had referrals of very good clients from high-maintenance ones and vice versa.  My policy is to interview all client referrals.  The initial phone call will determine whether there is a mutual match, which - as I would disclose to the referee - would be the sole criterion whether to extend my conversation beyond the courtesy initial interview.  There were interviews from which I ran to the hills within a few minutes.

It's also a matter of preparation (check list) for the interview.

Just my 1.6 cents.  (Was 2 cents before the recent NASDAQ fiasco.)