I have made a point of NOT soaking my clients. My quotes are high, but I don't go over them. I've made sure to come in ahead of time, and under my estimate, where possible (I've failed in this only once in the past 6 months). My clients all seemed VERY happy, I've been told (I know, talk is cheap) by my current client that if they weren't migrating to another platform I'd have a long-term future with them.

Some of the things I always hated while working for various software houses were the fictional estimates and timesheets - part of what I count as my 'compensation' is the ability to look myself in the mirror.

Don't think I haven't been tempted, though. My current client has 'pigeon' written all over them - and in fact has been burned a couple of times before (tidbits picked up in passing with other employees).

I guess I must have a perverse nature - but I never liked the way the places I've worked for did business... It seemed dishonest, even if the 'victims' seemed to expect to be fleeced.

*grin*

I'll probably be out of business in a year, if I last that long....