Ask HN: How to respond to client's request for additional integration work?
We have an API that provides valuable leads to our partners. Currently we have over 50 partners that utilize this API. For all intents and purposes, the API is the product and we sell access to it.
We have one particular client that essentially is a low-tech client (meaning one without many tech resources at their disposal, and anything tech-work related will most likely go through a consultant or contractor for them) making a request that we basically integrate with their API. Although this isn't an unreasonable request (especially at the right price) it is not a service we have the bandwidth to provide (we are a two person team and cannot feasibly provide custom integration for all of our clients) and it isn't in our scope, contract, etc. We are not a software consultancy -- we run an API. (We also provide hosted leads on our SFTP server if clients prefer that method of delivery, but there advantages to using the API in that you can receive leads in real time)
We have tried to explain to this client that if they need our leads sent to their system (I believe they want us to integrate with their CRM solution), they could utilize something like a Zapier, but we do not provide integrations.
We have a phone call coming up with them shortly, and I want to make sure I navigate this situation gingerly. Thank you for all advice, truly.