Problem running sql stored in the database

Hi, I am getting 2 values from a form: $client_id and $client_name (for understanding: client_id = '12' name='ryan') when the client submits the form: 1. I run a query in my php script inserts this data into the db,assigns a C_ID. 2. The query also checks if I have a stored sql statement for this C_ID 2a. If "YES" it tries to execute the query (if NO, execution stops here, all is well) 3.The stored SQL is usually something like "insert into tester('$client_id','$client_name')" Heres where the problems coming in, it seems to be doing everything as it should except when I check the database I see that it has inserted: "$client_id" "$client_name" into the fields instead of "12" "ryan" The above should explain everything but if you want the code I can post it. Kindly reply. Thanks, -Ryan