The Bastard Client
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- Grinch
Ah, what to do with the one client that wants everything done yesterday but never pays.
Did some work for a well known bluegrass band here in the states, they have won a grammy and other awards and I was thinking this could be a killer gig right? update there site, launch a forum, etc. Well it has been 2 months and no checks! WTF? I know they have plenty of money because I set up a paypal cart for them. It chaps my ass to know that they have the money to pay... but wont.
- ross0
hack into their paypal and take the $ you agreed upon.
you did agree upon a sum of $?
if not, consider it a lesson, continue to do good work for them, but request partial $ upfront or get them to sign a contract, or kick their asses.
- AndyRoss0
How many times have you phoned them? Sometimes you've got to get in their face, so they know you care.
- jevad0
What the fuck am I supposed to do about it?
- TheBlueOne0
Why am I seeing some sort of "Deliverance" type movie in my head as Grinch tries to get money out of this Bluegrass Band...
"Well me and my pa's shotgun here don't think we owe ya' a lick or spittle of cash mr. fancy pants web designer. Now mosey on off our porch or we'll sick Beauragard (points at lazy dog on porch..) on your ass. Besides we got some fiddle pickin' and grammy award polishin' to do, so git...."
- ninjasavant0
send them a tray of cookies. At the bottom of the tray put a bill with the phrase "pay up and i'll send you the antidote" in big red letters.
- CALLES0
refer to stupid thread
- jaylarson0
do you have a contract? in not, yr screwed.
- Grinch0
I have never needed a contract, where can I get one drawn up for creative services? any lawyers office?
- no, you *have* always 'needed' one, just never been pinched before; aka- lucy as hell.madirish
- Ba-dum-pa-pssh!jox
- LOL contracts are needed for everything and everyone because people suck!Fightingforart
- Fightingforart0
Thats funny, a famous but not well know guitar player came to my boss for help w/ his videos to be put on youtube, not only did he take up all our time and didnt pay, he wants to do it again! if there are any clients reading this, pay us!!! we earned that money!!! pay bitches!
- Name names dammit. I need to know who these "famous but not well known" people are!TheBlueOne
- jaylarson0
http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/…
edd-e, epill, used to post a page with great links to pdf of related stuff. hopefully he'll repost it again. i don't think i have that page book marked.
- seed0
You can find an example of a decent contract and modify it to fit your needs. Add to it to make sure you are covered on aspects that are important to you (cancellation terms, late fees, ownership of files, etc). I am still coming up with new notes to add to mine as I go. Getting them to pay a downpayment and not giving them files until final payment is helpful in getting paid. If it's a large amount split it into a few milestones. They are less likely to cheat you if they have already paid two thirds of the amount for instance. You also have minimized the unpaid work you've done if a problem does arise. As mentioned you always need a contract.
- Grinch0
I actullay took the site over from a fan that half ass designed it, and I put the paypal cart on it, a forum, mp3 players and other stupid shit they requested. its a shity site.
- Point50
this is why I only deal with well known rap groups. I usually get paid in platinum chains, bitches and chronic well in advance.
- Point50
which one is it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gra…
- Grinch0
I dont see them!
- willhaven0
change all the passwords so only you know, write them and call telling them you will disable the site and email accounts if not paid by date X -
when the date arrives yank it down. I did this to a client and had a check in hand within hours.
- PO_MO0
I've found an incremental payment system works. It basically makes them pay to get the job done. so brake the total invoice into chunks and request payment once parts are complete. this way the client get used to paying you... and if they F##*k you around on the last payment —at least you have got most of the $$ out of them. ;{|
Oh! just noticed thats what 'seed' said. I'm drunk, time for bed.
- trooper0
post the original site back online and say you want paying!
- jamble0
I had a client like that recently, I'd been more than flexible in waiting for payment and they still "didn't get round to it"
In the end I sent a mail saying that if I didn't receive confirmation of wire transfer within 5 working days, I'd take the site down and replace it with a notice saying the site had been taken down (I find it particularly effective to actually tell them what you're going to put up on the site) and would persue payment through the courts.
I received the payment in 2 days. Should have just done that at the first sign of trouble.