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problem with programmer 1919 Responses
Last post: 7 months, 2 weeks ago | Thread started: Apr 22, 08, 8 a.m.
- DoubleKing
I hired a programmer to build out a site that was supposed to launch last week. I paid him a deposit on the job. I was told that three weeks would be enough time and so i gave the client a delivery date. we've elapsed that date. The programmer told me not to worry, and that it would be done Tuesday. When the final work wasn't delivered on Tues, I sat down and had a good talk about how I don't deliver work late and that this had to get finished.
So, then i was promised a delivery date of Thursday... then Friday... and my recent emails for updates on Sun and Mon have gone unanswered.
The beta sits at 95% done but the final few pieces haven't come together. i know the programmer is over-committed with this and other projects at present. Any recommendations on how best to proceed? I can't fire him because he has the source files. And i can't get an update. I continue to walk a tightrope with the client but my assurances are wearing thin.
Anyone have any practical advice on how i can move forward? Psycho-calling comes to mind but i don't think that's going to get me the results i need.
- Apr 22, 08, 8 a.m. – Permalink
- doesnotexist
you're in a tough spot. i would have patience and wait for him to finish, obviously calling and emailing him isn't solving it. don't pass the problem onto your client though by telling them he's a douche, just don't work with him in the future and maybe dock off some of his pay because of it (for every deadline missed)
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:03 a.m. – Permalink
- flashbender
Pretty much at this point all you can do is wait for him to finish and then decrease the fee you are going to pay him.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:09 a.m. – Permalink
- DoubleKing
I don't believe I can dock him pay on the delivery if it's not already stated contractually.
Are building "failure to deliver" clauses common place in freelance contracts? i've heard about it in municipal jobs but not haven't encountered in on small scale projects.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:12 a.m. – Permalink
- flashbender
if your contract specifies a delivery date and he missed that date, you can alter your payment structure.
But I'm no lawyer, I don't even play one on TV.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:13 a.m. – Permalink
- Jnr_Madison
Drive round to his house and take a shit on his front step. Won't speed things up but what a story to tell the grand kids.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:15 a.m. – Permalink
- Spookytim
(Hello Facksake)
DoubleKing, here the thing... you feel like you are held to ransom by the source code. The truth is this guy has dorked you right over the delivery date anyway and if he STILL isn't delivering that source code is dead to you anyway. Lose the perception that the source code is any closer to you now than it woul dbe if you put some heat under the programmer.
If you put heat under the programmer and he still fails to deliver. You've lost your source code. You lose respect with the client. He loses his pay, his respect with you and a percentage of his reputation (depending on how effectively you publicise his failure).
If you don't put the heat under him, you still don't get your source code. So flame his fucking arse and have soemone lined up to recreate this stuff double time. Save your face, save your client. Lose the cockhead who's clearly not professional enough to honour his commitments.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:17 a.m. – Permalink
- seed
I had a similar instance having someone do .NET on a project. It is embarassing to repeatedly miss deadlines with a client and the feeling of having no control over it is terrible. This person was more concerned with other things and seemed to be pretty oblivious to my deadlines.
I guess the main solutions in the future are to pad your time more and the stipulation of less pay of completed late. I wonder if that could make some less trustworthy coders just give up or become difficult once they know they are going past that point..
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:22 a.m. – Permalink
- DoubleKing
... searching around the house for some gin to chase this bitter pill i have to swallow.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 8:22 a.m. – Permalink
- DoubleKing
hadn't thought of the uv route. good one.
- Dog-earApr 22, 08, 11:15 a.m. – Permalink
