Premium WordPress Themes

When setting up a wordpress blog for a client, do you spend extra money on a premium wordpress theme, which is essentially going to cost them more money, do you set it up with a free wordpress theme, or do you build your own theme, catering to the needs of the client?

Do you take screenshots of what their wordpress blog will look like when it is finally set up and then email them asking for their feedback?

Do you send them an email with multiple screenshots of different themes so that you can get their opinion on which direction you should take?

I was sitting and talking with my mom the other day about the design of her website, while at the same time, reading posts on G+ via the G+ app for the iPhone on my iPod Touch, and came across a post someone wrote with a screenshot of a premium wordpress theme. I showed her the theme and asked her what she thought. She thought it looked really cool and wouldn’t mind having it as her own theme. I went and checked it out on my computer. Apparently, the theme is $70. I know that web designers have to make money and everything, but there are so many open source / freeware alternatives these days. I’m sure I can find her a wordpress theme that will suit her needs just fine without having to shell out an extra $70.

Have you ever bought one of these “premium” WordPress themes? How’d that work out for you? Was it for yourself, or someone else? Was the client pleased? Or were they mad you didn’t go with a freeware solution to save money?