What do you do when you have an SEO client but they refuse to give you access to their servers and do not act upon recommendations that you're giving nearly blindly since you have no access to their statistics?
It depends on how you approach the client when offering services. Before a contract is signed, it's ideal to tell the client that you will need full access up front.
Since there is no right answer to the question, though, you should be sure not to guarantee rankings, especially when you cannot see how well they're doing from your efforts. You might want to eventually approach the client and say "it doesn't feel right" that you're taking their money and not able to make the suggested changes.
Some clients won't give you the access. In that case, the business relationship is probably not a healthy one. You need do what's right for you.
Forum discussion continues at High Rankings Forum.