Why Some Clients Lowball You—Then Pretend They Have “Another Team”

If you’ve ever quoted a fair price for a project and heard:

• “Can you do it for way less?”

• “No worries, we’ll have our other team do it.”

…you’re not alone.

And here’s the part nobody says out loud: a lot of the time, there is no other team.

This isn’t about shaming people. It’s about understanding what’s really happening—so you can respond with confidence, protect your time, and keep your standards.

What’s really going on (and why it’s so common)

When someone asks for a professional project at a bargain-basement price, it usually comes from one of these places:

1) They don’t understand what they’re buying

They think they’re paying for “a logo” or “a website.”

But what they’re actually paying for is:

• Strategy and positioning

• Taste and decision-making

• Process (briefing, revisions, deliverables)

• Experience (what to do—and what not to do)

• Accountability (someone owning the outcome)

If they’ve never hired a pro before, they may assume it’s quick, easy, and mostly “just design.”

2) They’re testing your confidence

Low offers are often a pressure test.

They want to see:

• Will you defend your price?

• Will you fold if they push?

• Can they get premium work at discount rates?

If you cave early, you’ve taught them how the relationship will go.

3) They’re shopping for a “yes,” not a partner

Some clients aren’t looking for the best fit—they’re looking for the cheapest person willing to say yes.

That’s not a client problem.

That’s a mismatch.

4) They’re trying to save face

Here’s where the “other team” line comes in.

When you turn down a low budget, it can trigger embarrassment.

So instead of saying:

• “I can’t afford this.”

• “I didn’t plan for the real cost.”

• “I hoped you’d do it cheaper.”

…they pivot to something that sounds more powerful:

• “We’ll just have our other team do it.”

It’s not always manipulation. Sometimes it’s just ego protection.

Why they say they have “another team” when they don’t

Let’s be real: if they had a capable team ready to go, they wouldn’t be negotiating so hard with you.

That line usually means one of these:

• They have a friend who “knows Canva”

• They plan to DIY it later (and never do)

• They’ll hire someone overseas for $50 and get a $50 result

• They’re bluffing to regain control of the conversation

And sometimes? They come back weeks later after the “other team” didn’t deliver.

The hidden cost of taking low-budget projects

Even if you can do it, low-budget work often costs you more than it pays.

Because it tends to come with:

• Unclear direction

• Endless revisions

• Scope creep

• Slow approvals

• Higher stress

• Lower respect for your expertise

You don’t just lose money.

You lose time, energy, and momentum.

How to respond (without getting emotional)

You don’t need to argue. You need a calm boundary.

Here are a few responses you can use:

Option A: The simple boundary

“Totally understand. I’m not the best fit for that budget, but if your scope changes, I’m happy to revisit.”

Option B: Offer a smaller scope (not a discount)

“If budget is the constraint, we can reduce the scope. For example, we can do X instead of X + Y.”

Option C: Anchor to outcomes

“My pricing is based on the strategy, process, and deliverables required to get a result you can actually use. If you’re looking for a quick/cheap option, you’ll probably be happier going another direction.”

Option D: The professional close

“No hard feelings at all. If you decide you want a partner who can own this end-to-end, I’m here.”

A mindset shift that makes this easier

When someone says, “We’ll have our other team do it,” your job isn’t to convince them.

Your job is to stay aligned with your standards.

Because the right clients don’t negotiate your value down.

They hire you because:

• they want it done right

• they want it done efficiently

• they don’t want to gamble with their brand

Final thought

If you’re a service provider, turning down low-budget work isn’t arrogance.

It’s leadership.

And when someone tries to bluff their way out with “we have another team,” let them.

The clients who respect your work will never need a threat to justify their budget.

If you’ve heard the “other team” line before, I’m curious—what was the funniest version of it you’ve gotten?