How do you deal with arrogant clients who pays well?

focusedwriter10

focusedwriter10 Level 1

October 30, 2018, 3:06 am

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As a freelance writer, I have come across so many clients. Let me explain, I started offering my writing services sometime back on various platforms, but I have come across clients of all sorts. For example, I have worked for clients who are humane and very understanding. Such clients are friendly and drive their points home with a lot of respect. Feels good to work for such clients, right?

On the other hand, I have severally came across clients who are arrogant from the word go. Despite their arrogance, some pay well. But, on my part, I find it very difficult to work for such clients. I have declined several offers from arrogant clients. See this, by arrogant I mean for example a client who calls you all sorts of names, or someone who sees you as a lesser human. On my part, irrespective of the pay, I do value respect and a smooth working relationship.

How do you deal with such clients?

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TheArticulate

TheArticulate

I consider myself a professional in terms of videography and photography, so if a potential client were to call me names or talk condescendingly to me, I would decline the job no question. I've dealt with more clients than I can count over the past couple years, and nearly every single one has treated me professionally and as a human being.

If a client doesn't have the decency to treat you professionally, then they're not worth your time.

The only exception I can think of for this is if I were on the verge of being homeless/losing everything I owned and I absolutely needed the paycheck.

8 years ago

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Barida

Barida

Yeah, that is just the thing as I would not be working for someone that is not ready to appreciate the works that I am doing despite the price that they will be paying me. I think that what is necessary is for us to do the right things and always expect the best to come at the end of the day.

8 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

You can't really please every one right? You will always encounter persons with bad attitude towards you. The best thing to do is just do the work they want and get the money they paying for. Its just putting down your pride.

8 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

".... if I were on the verge of being homeless/losing everything I owned and I absolutely needed the paycheck.... "

This is definitely a tough situation one should find himself or herself in but if I'm to be very honest with you, I wouldn't stoop to low to take such insults for how much? I'm not a dog nor am I a slave. It's services that I offer and not begging for money. So, if the arrogant client walks, definitely a new one would come. He is not my God.

8 years ago

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TheArticulate

TheArticulate

Well no, I wouldn't expect you to consider the person your god, and that's good for you for sticking to your values. I'm just saying, if it were me and this opportunity meant the option for a hot meal or a place to sleep when I had neither, I would probably accept it.

But that scenario is just a hypothetical. I've never been in that position nor do I expect to be there anytime soon.

8 years ago

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iambeth

iambeth

Desperate times would definitely make someone accept such unfair treatment. Especially if there's no other option and you have mouths to feed. I would just do the best I can to finish the job as soon as possible and have some beer after.

8 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

I think that is an over reacting mind set. If the clients go so mad like what you are telling that client will not pay at all. But the one Mr. focus is trying to say is his client is arrogant but still pay. In my opinion, it is not like they are telling things to make you stoop so low. Maybe they are arrogant in the senese where they rush you about your work.

8 years ago

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Youngshark

Youngshark

It is always great to expect decency of the people that you deal with as you treat them in a professional manner. They need to be held accountable to any irresponsible actions as you should when you go out of order. This means that one should choose their customers wisely and cull those who do not respect them as they may cause huge problems in future.

8 years ago

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jeffreyjose48

jeffreyjose48

I agree with you. Its difficult to deal with arrogant clients. Its only good that they still pay well to you.

8 years ago

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jaybee19

jaybee19

Exactly. Clients should be professional as well like how they expect us to be one. After all, they won't be the clients that we'll have forever and they should be thankful for the services that we offer them because without our services, their money is useless.

I have a friend who was treated badly by his client but because he has no other clients at that time and he needed the money so badly, he just choked his pride. I can actually still remember how I gasped a lot of times while telling him to just quit the job and look for other clients. However, he just answered me that as the needy one in the situation, he should be humble and just take everything professionally. I couldn't understand him actually but I guess when the situation is really tough, the principles that we are holding tightly will definitely thrown by ourselves because the need is stronger than pride.

8 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

This is part of any business that you are involved in. You will meet people with all sorts of personalities. Some people are naturally difficult and there is just nothing you can do about that. You have to learn to deal with these people. If you think that they are too much of a hassle, just don't deal with them. Let them find someone else to provide the services they need. Its better to loose the business, then to end up getting a bad review.

8 years ago

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ElectorAlexande

ElectorAlexande

Exactly, you made a sense here, some clients will for heaven sake never be comfortable with the service that you provide even if you go extra low to impress them, they are just angry and will give you a bad review on your business and the hardworking freelancer may lose confidence in his work.

8 years ago

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ElectorAlexande

ElectorAlexande

Exactly, you made a sense here, some clients will for heaven sake never be comfortable with the service that you provide even if you go extra low to impress them, they are just angry and will give you a bad review on your business and the hardworking freelancer may lose confidence in his work.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

Honestly, money isn’t everything. If I’m not getting treated with respect then the client can go jump in a lake for all I care. I’m not going to have my self esteem and self worth degraded by someone just because they pay well - I’d rather take less money for the same work and be treated appropriately!

8 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

This reminds me of a famous scriptwriter for movies who became a good friend of my husband. He is always for the dignity of writers that his usual advice is to be prim and proper when it comes to food. Don't give an impression that writers are hungry. I don't think calling me names will be worth the money that he will pay me. I have my dignity as a writer regardless of my skills if I'm good or not but no one has the right to call me names. That client is not just arrogant but rude and has no manners that he does not fit in our society.

8 years ago

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focusedwriter10

focusedwriter10

Clients with dignity are like a precious gem. I have one who has turned out to be my friend, and we met last year when he visited my country.

8 years ago

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superlicca

superlicca

That is wonderful and I wish I will meet a client who can be a friend too. You are lucky to meet a friendly client.

8 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

If that is the case, it should not matter to you if he is an arrogant or not as long as he pays. We need money so we work hard and even face those kinds of customers. Important thing is they paid us the right amount.

8 years ago

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iambeth

iambeth

I hope I don't get a chance to deal with people who disregards and disrespects others at the get go. No one can be able to work efficiently for a client who treats his employees like that. I would gladly quit and find someone better to work for.

8 years ago

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ElectorAlexande

ElectorAlexande

Exactly, anyone that doesn't appreciate your effort isn't worth your time, you cannot kill yourself to satisfy someone that will never be grateful with what you do.

That is how life is, am not saying you shouldn't try and understand your client but when you can't bear it anymore you just have to let them go that receive a bad review.

8 years ago

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Jeane

Jeane

I had to work for such a client once.

Well, they didn't call me names but her general attitude told it all. I told them what I thought and she didn't like it. I terminated the contract because the job was getting to be toxic. Acrimonious the parting was, with bad ratings left on either side. About a year later, I heard from her again. She wanted me to help write something . . . .

Well, that would be the proper way to deal with arrogant clients. If you are good at what you do, even if you lose one client, you can always find work elsewhere.

8 years ago

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jpk0007

jpk0007

Well, that is very true we will meet a variety of people when we work in any sort of field. I think one should never ever do anything at the price of surrendering your self-respect just because you are offered good money to do the work. Its always good to stay away from people who do not give you the basic respect whenever you are doing something for them. People think that just because they are offering you a good pay for your work they can go on with there bad behavior and you won't react to them. I think there are some red lines in professional conduct that should always be respected both by the employer and the employee.

8 years ago

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stormbreaker10

stormbreaker10

I just resist that attitude of my client if my work on him is still intact, Professionalism, I think is the best way you will do. Saying to your self like "job is a job, dont care what you fvking do as long I do my job well" but I aware working woth the arrogant client is really tought. So atleast to avoid this situation like this or a client, checking the background is not a bad idea, so if I know the client I thinking to apply is arrogant I just avoid it, or refuse.

8 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

It actually depends on the person. As for me, I have not encountered "arrogant clients who pays well", but I definitely have experienced dealing with people who are like that, but on a different field. I had clients who act like that, but I always made sure that if they wanted business, we should keep things professional and we must not downgrade each other, or else, business is over. However, we really cannot erase these people, they really exist.

8 years ago

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Barida

Barida

This is a pretty difficult question to answer as we are basically out there to work for the money. I have met some of those clients and what I did was to drop what I feel about the way that they behave in a chat with them. I don't really want to be that kind of person that will swallow things up while working for someone for a pay. The best way that we can also handle this is to quit as long as you know that what you are doing is the best in that kind of situation.

8 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Exactly! We all have our pride and dignity to protect especially when it comes to offering services to the general public. In as much as it's the money I'm after, there is no rule that says I should be taking unnecessary insults to earn such money.

So, the best thing to do would be to terminate the job and have my peace of mind while the client seek for another person to deal with.

8 years ago

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ElectorAlexande

ElectorAlexande

I use to be that guy that will not complain even when I get the worst review instead of the opposite until I noticed that not all customers are right even if the law of business states otherwise, so client should learn to appreciate effort. Currently I don't care what they think but any client that is harsh to me will immediately be removed or I will decline the order, I can't take shit anymore from clients.

8 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

I agree with you. It is important to keep yourself sane while you are still working. If you think that you can't handle it, talk it out. But if nothing good happens with just voicing your thoughts, then better leave it. It is better to keep yourself intact in this business.

8 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Seriously, respect is reciprocal and as such I wouldn't condone any undignified insult from a rude and arrogant client no matter how much the supposed client would likely be paying for the job done.

Personally, I don't take any kind of unwarranted insults lightly and it's definitely going make me cancel or decline any job whether new or old from the client.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

Absolutely! I also think that these people who are being disrespectful need to know about it! If people keep dealing with them just because they pay well, it makes them assume their terrible behavior is okay. Saying to someone that you’re not going to work with them because of their bad attitude might be the wakeup call they need.

8 years ago

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ElectorAlexande

ElectorAlexande

I don't really think i can stand having a client misbehave because he is paying me well, first if my service is very good and he doesn't complain about my services but just make use of unnecessary manner that is bad, I will either tell you I don't like it or just won't take your order.

8 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

Well, if pride is what you prioritize then it will be a problem with your job. The thing is we should have the strong mind and will to overcome those kinds of clients in order to win this kind of work. Be postive always.

8 years ago

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ElectorAlexande

ElectorAlexande

Not all client understands that bro, some clients are just so full of themselves. Have had a client who wanted a service which I gave professionally but while chatting with this client he was just being a racist and abusive.

Its not about pride, the client love my service but just hate the fact that am black and isn't comfortable with me being black.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

I’m so sorry that you’ve had those kinds of experiences. It saddens me that racism is still such a prevalent thing. You’d think in this day and age we would be over that kind of thing. No way would I ever want to work for someone who was a racist.

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I've encountered some that fits the description and I really don't mind their arrogance, what's important to me is that they are fair enough and they pay well. Like I always say "The customer is always right, if the price is right".

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

There’s no amount of money that would make me work for certain people though.

At the end of the day if someone isn’t going to offer mutual respect or is even potentially downright abusive, there’s no dollar figure that would make me want to work for someone like that. Morals will always win out for me. I’m not going to sacrifice those because they’re priceless.

8 years ago

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mitan143

mitan143

Honestly, I haven't met an arrogant client yet but there are still some of them who don't interact to me nicely. Luckily, those aren't big deal and we sort out things in a nice way. If it happens that I would encounter a client like that one time, I think I'd still consider what is best to make it professional. But I believe it isn't easy dealing that kind situation at all. You know, I appreciate that you make this topic because it gives me a little idea.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

That's a very mature attitude to still try and keep things professional despite someone being unprofessional towards you. I find myself struggling with this - usually when someone is unprofessional to me I don't want to deal with them at all, and that can lead to lost revenue. I might need to take a leaf out of your book and try to still remain professional and try and work towards a mutually beneficial situation with the client.

8 years ago

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edencaga

edencaga

Arrogant clients don't deserved to have a right service but what can we do if they pay us well. If its too much I would really decline and will not accept their offer. Besides, they are not the only clients around the world and there will be still clients who is worth deserving for our service.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

There is a saying that goes - "LESS talk, LESS mistakes."

Imagine if there is NO talk, you guessed it right - there are NO mistakes. So during times that people think negatively of me or call me names and such, I don't react. I let my actions/results speak for itself and do all the talking for me, figuratively.

8 years ago

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mitan143

mitan143

Wow. I find your action really great. I think this is the best way I have read so far. And yes, the result is what matters the most. It can also change your client's thought about you as long as you prove them wrong in a nice way.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

Indeed, there are times that a client is just frustrated with other factors and not entirely because of you. So during these times, it's best to limit what you have to say and focus on what you can do for the client. If you turn over world-class work, I'm sure he'll change the way he/she treats you.

8 years ago

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hstinscdln

hstinscdln

If the client treats you so bad or calls you by name that are too offending, then stop giving your service to them. They are paying you for your service and they are the ones who needs you. You seem to be a very good writer and just as what you have said, you already declined some clients which means that you are getting a lot of other customers. Don't settle with arrogant customers if they really are untolerable.

8 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

If I will have that kind of client in the near future, I will calm them down first so that they can feel relax, because if I make my self-angry as well, things will get worst.

8 years ago

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focusedwriter10

focusedwriter10

Some are so difficult, to an extent that humbling yourself and trying to calm them does not work at all. Remember we are all different in our own unique ways. For example, you might have a brother or sister, all from the same mother and raised together, but you will always be different.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

That's what I find. Sometimes I think that an employer feels like just because they're paying you, they somehow have the ability to treat you like dirt - and I find that very hard to deal with. I think respect goes two ways - sure, they're paying you to do a job, but that's absolutely no excuse for them to treat you poorly.

8 years ago

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mirodge

mirodge

It depends the level of arogancy, sometimes client act the way as a client, they just want to be treated right. You can' t judge a person on the first meeting. You have to know him well first, or do a background check before having a deal.

8 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

Make them feel comfortable so that you won't lose them because if you lose a client that pays well, it will make your business down.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

I do agree that losing a valuable client is a let-down for a business. Though you also have to consider your self-worth. I think what's important here is you do effectively the tasks you needed to do for him, and everything else does not matter.

8 years ago

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mitan143

mitan143

Yes, especially if you're having a hard time looking for a high paying client. It is like we need to value clients no matter how hard to deal with them. But if they ever cross the limit, then that is a different story.

8 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

Glad I have not encountered arrogant clients yet. There are certain degree of patience that I can give to my clients. Freelancers are professionals just like any other employee there is, so they should treat us as equal and not someone they will look down. If you think that there is still room for your relationship to improve then you might want to try gaining their trust and confidence. Make them feel at ease working with you and hope that in return your relationship with them gets better. If it doesn't work and arrogance continues, better leave that client. It is not worth it. You can find a lot of clients you can have good work relationship with.

8 years ago

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coolavender

coolavender

The above average pay is not worth the stress of working for an arrogant and condescending client. I have never been looked down or treated shabbily by a client but if I ever run into one, I'll simply decline and move on to the next client or freelancing job. Mutual respect is one of the foundations of a good professional relationship and if a client can't even show basic courtesy, I don't think it will prosper or last.

8 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

You are right that there should be mutual respect so that there will be a better relationship regardless of the amount of pay that the client had offered. When arrogance is in the air, the worker will lose disposition that sometimes will also be arrogant and the problem will be blown up. I think kindness in words is important not only in the business but also in other facets of life.

8 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

I agree with you. Better be thinking about keeping yourself sane and getting away from a stressful environment than holding it in for the money and suffer due to health problems in the future.

8 years ago

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esteban123

esteban123

I think if we are working online as a freelance writer we need to have some patience in dealing with our clients because we are getting from them our source of income or living. We need to treat our clients with respect and good values so that they will realize to treat as well. I do understand that there are some clients who are rude and disrespectful, if that would be the case I suggest to stop working anymore on such clients and better to look for another one.

8 years ago

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superlicca

superlicca

No matter how arrogant the clients will be, we just need to be professional and kill them with kindness. As a freelancer, I would have a lot of patience with this kind of client as long as he will pay me well. In my case, money is really important. I will just do my job, forget his attitude and enjoy the salary.

8 years ago

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astraherondale

astraherondale

A client who "calls me names" and "sees me as a lesser human"? I would turn him down immediately. Even if I am in dire need of money, I would not let anyone treat me that way. My relationship with my client must be built on mutual trust and respect. I will not brush off his arrogant remarks just for a couple of bucks.

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

By overcharging them haha. Seriously, if they pay good then I just keep my mouth shut and simply do my work while remembering that the customer is always right.

8 years ago

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mhingnhormz

mhingnhormz

It is part of business, dealing with different kind of people. All you have to do is to be professional always not in the point that let your clients put you in their mouth and spit it but in the way that you make them feel to remember their professionalism.

8 years ago

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koki12346

koki12346

They are the worst! But if they pay well try to be a better man and take that money. Also it comes a time that you can't that anymore, and when that time comes you either show them who the boss is or you just let them go...

8 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

I attended a conference on freelancing this week. One the segment dealing with client relations the speaker stressed that you need to learn to deal with all types of people.His main message was that clients are just people like you, they may hold the key to your financial freedom, but there is no need to be afraid of them. Deal with them fairly, if they are rude stop dealing with them or tell them you think they are being rude. He stressed that people respect straightforwardness and honesty and that client will probably stay with you, especially if the quality of your work is good.

8 years ago

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Wenkx03

Wenkx03

I just keep calm and tell my self. Its okay. I'll get paid. I'll be rich. No need to get down to their level you have your own standard. Deal with it professionally.

8 years ago

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angie828

angie828

I just remember that they are the ones that are paying me. I am not a fan of arrogant people, but I do like to be paid well. As long as they are not putting me down, I have learned to become strong. And if it gets to be too much for me, then once the project is finished, I just remember that I do not need to work with them again if I do not desire to.

8 years ago

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