We own a studio and we hire our studio space out to people who want to shoot videos. Our green screen is pre-lit with high end lights that are positioned perfectly. No one needs to move the lights, they are perfect where they are. We like getting new clients, as we want to build our client base.

A new potential client had a tour of the studio. In his twenty minute tour he told us we had to locate the lights closer to the screen, we had to remove a decorative backdrop and replace it with a black backdrop (in case he wants to shoot on black). He told us he expected a deep, deep discount, as he was going to give us his database of fellow advertising people (his competition). He didn't offer it to us, he told us he would be expecting a really big discount in exchange for his contact list.

He criticised how the floor extenders were not perfectly aligned with the main stage. At the door, before he left I told him he needed production insurance (insurance to cover the days of his production in the studio). He immediately said "that's a deal breaker." He said this bluntly. I thanked him for his time and walked away from the door. He said something, I forget what he said. I said "we can insure you, but it's an extra cost." He repeated "that's a deal breaker." I again thanked him for his time and walked away. He mumbled something, then left slamming the door.

A half hour later he called me and said he had comprehensive insurance coverage, but wasn't willing to buy production insurance. I told him everyone has comprehensive insurance coverage and we always accept that. You would think this would resolve this wouldn't you? Not by a long shot. He took issue with me calling it production insurance. So we proceeded to have a long conversation about insurance terminology. Finally I said "do we really have to have an argument about insurance terminology?"

So, we moved on to talking about the willingness to use the insurance policy in the event of damage to the studio and a willingness to cover the insurance deductible in the event we need to make a claim. This led to a third argument, where he claimed we needed to write up a formal contract now. All of our clients provide an insurance policy for their shoot. They also all agree to use the insurance in the event they cause damage to the studio or equipment. They all agree to pay the deductible. And this is all agreed to by way of a simple email. So, I brush it aside with a comment like "ok, we'll write up a contract."

I then informed him we don't give deep discounts to anyone. I told him we're happy to give discounts to people we've worked with for awhile, but we have to get to know a client first and see that we will get repeat business from them. He began shouting about how important he was in his industry and that he wouldn't share his contact list with me without the discount. I told him he needed to actually help us first before he got the discount. He got loud.

He took issue with providing insurance, he took issue with the terminology I used about the insurance, he took issue with having to agree to use the insurance in the event of damage to the studio or equipment. And he wanted a deep discount. So we had four arguments in less than one hour.

We've had forty clients through our studio over the past 2 years and have never had to argue with any of them. This man argued over petty things four times in less than an hour. He wanted to rent the studio for ten hours, how many arguments would have ensued over 10 hours? I truly believe there are some people in life that just want to argue. Period. They want to argue. They love to argue. And they will argue with you about everything.

This is not the kind of client we are looking for. Have you ever met someone you could just not reason with? Someone who's only reality is their own? Sometimes all you can do is walk away. Which I did...again.

I believe this with all my heart and mind. You just can't get along with some people. Encounters with some people just can't end in a good way, no matter what. They are walking/talking conflicts, just waiting for some unsuspecting person to come along whom they can argue with. I feel sorry for him. But I still can't be around him.

The problem with giving someone a discount prior to them fulfilling a task to earn the discount is, they may never deliver anything. This has already happened to us before. Promises are made, but not kept. This is the first time I've encountered someone who wanted to do nothing but argue...about everything.

I'm not asking for advice, I really just need to vent. Although if you want to put forward advice, I will read it.