Specialized Technique for Turning Down a Client

In a different post, WordSam cited this as a red flag that gives pause re working with a client: " The first is trying to talk me down in price then reluctantly accepting my asking price . "

So true!

Right now, I'm in that situation. A client sent an invitation, and despite my clear work history supporting my stated hourly rate, the invitation offered a pay rate at just over half of what I charge. I responded politely with something along the lines of "Your work sounds interesting, but please note my hourly rate." (That usually puts paid to the interaction.) The client (Russian/Ukrainian) said he would have to "check with his boss." I didn't even wait for the results of this theoretical conference, but immediately said: "Best wishes with your project. I'm sure that you can find a freelancer who is a better fit with your budget than I am. Good luck!"

To my surprise, the guy came back! Now he wants me to do one "test hour" (presumably paid -- and obviously I wouldn't work without a contract!) at my usual rate, and then they would (Oh, joy! What luck!) condescend to see if my work was worth their hiring me permanently at my asking rate.

Ain't interested, Comrade. You don't really even have to read between the lines to see that ever since you showed any hesitation at all about my hourly rate, I have been telling you to BUZZ OFF!

This job has PAIN IN THE ASS and LIKELIHOOD of GOING DOWNHILL written all over it. The client is obviously a cheapskate (or else too poor to afford me) -- and is all set up to grudge my pay. The client's tone in Messages makes it clear that he thinks he's doing me some kind of favor by offering me this once-in-lifetime one-hour trial. Oh, goody! (Those types of clients are at high risk of never respecting my work or my time.) Does he assume that I need work that badly, and that I am going to jump through his hoop, at his convenience? Hold my breath that my work meets his exacting standards? Take on a piddling one-hour contract with a potentially pissy client, at serious risk to my JSS?

So, how to blow him off? I tried the obvious: in effect: "Sounds like we're not going to be a good fit; there's a better fit out there for you. I wish you well!" That didn't work.

I'm thinking that I'll have to just tell him now that I'm too busy -- but that's a little lame, given that only a few days have gone by since he told me he's going to offer me that Opportunity of a Lifetime One-Hour Test.

But the truth doesn't package well: "It sounds like you are all primed to be cheap and demanding, and have the hallmarks of a Pain-in-the-Ass Client, and I am declining you because avoiding clients just like you is one main reason I became a freelancer. It's my privilege to do so." Even saying, mildly, "It seems as if we won't be a good fit" is problematic, because this potential client thinks that he has overcome the only problem of "good fit" (my pay rate), not realizing that he has thrown down new red flags (reluctance over that pay rate; his checking in with a "boss"; insisting on a "trial" of a single hour; tone of condescension).

Any suggestions for vague, at least semi-polite ways to say "no" to the client?