Nouveau Sidler hired some moron designer to do production work on a slide deck. This designer feels that 10 minutes to center and enlarge a simple block of text from 24pt to 72pt is an unreasonable estimate.

He thinks our expectations are too high in terms of the production work we’re asking for, so he sent this email to Nouveau Sidler.

I have gone back into all the files you’ve given me and assessed the
entire job as it NOW looks. As I’ve mentioned, I am very well
experienced and perhaps not “the Fastest” person but CERTAINLY within
the top 20% of quick. I’m more than confident that I can produce 176
“more than pleasing” slides however, I have huge doubts and concerns
about being to nail them down at an average of 10 min each… the time
you claim each should take. I see them taking “considerably” longer…
especially factoring in changes and edits.

IF I’m so “out to lunch” on my estimates and you’re in fact
correct?… then you should have absolutely no hesitations about
paying me by the hour. I’m even willing to bring my computer there and
work on-site!… starting at hour zero! Even though my normal hourly
rate for straight production is $35/hr (you’re getting man AND
machine)… I’m quite willing to work on this particular project at
$30/hr…

as I’ve said… if your time claims are accurate and true?…you
have absolutely nothing to lose.

In the meantime… sorry… I must continue on with work that pays a
fair/reasonable rate.

Now, this freelancer may be burning bridges with this email. And, even though I know the details of the production work ask is in fact reasonable, he still may not.

But my real concern is how did the relationship get to this point? What did Nouveau Sidler do to generate this reaction? Argh.