Getting final payment from client
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- shellin
So just launched my client's website. There were no hiccups during the first and second phase of the project, when the client promptly paid. Well, they finally threw me a curve ball, and I'm sure some of you have experienced this.
I launched the site with everything done except for a shop link, which the client had not received the url for yet. They explained to me that they would get me this link not shortly after the site launched. Well, of course they failed to inform me that they were going to hold off paying me my final payment until the shop link was included. If I knew this, I would have held off launching the site. So now basically they said they won't have this link for a few weeks(I launched the site a few weeks ago), and I'm really annoyed. On one hand, I haven't sent them any of the source files yet, so I could just not do anymore work until I get my payment. Adding this shop link will take minutes, and this should not be the reason to hold up my payment, after all the hard work I put into it.. In addition, I did state in my contract that after the site launched final payment was due.
Any advice on how to proceed? Thanks.
- shellin0
Yeah, I guess I could do this. I just don't want to get on their bad side, but at the same time, I don't think this is cool. Maybe I email them, that the site will be taken down until I receive the final payment, and that adding this shop link is minor work that will take little time to do.
- subimage0
not only take the site down...
in it's place, put up a semi-official looking SITE DOWN DUE TO NON-PAYMENT message.
if they're embarrassed that's just more motivation to pay you.
F U CLIENTS
- shellin0
In addition, I don't want to ruin this client relationship, which up until this point has been going well. But they need to understand all the work that I put into the project, to now have final payment delayed. is not cool. Should I warn them first that the site will be taken down(i'm thinking not)??
- jamble0
Tell them what they're doing isn't part of the agreement and to either pay up in full as per the contract and you'll add the link when they supply it or you can take the site down as what they're effectively saying by not paying is that the job isn't finished.
- creative-0
Explain that you're a bit peeved and that because of your contract you have every right to take the site down until they pay. See what they say to this and take it from there.
- trooper0
NEVER purt ANYTHING live without having payment first! change your payment terms... if someone complains you dont need them as a client, it took me 5 years to start doing this and ive never looked back
apart from that legally you have to send em a letter saying pay by X or your website will be pulled"
- shellin0
"apart from that legally you have to send em a letter saying pay by X or your website will be pulled"
Really trooper? What makes you think that? I don't see why I can't just take the site down, especially when the contract said after the site launched final payment would be due.
- no shit, it's not like they're renting a house from you and you need to serve them with an eviction notice :psubimage
- Jaline0
Email them and tell them that you will be taking the site down until the payment is made. Wait for a response (I don't know...like 1-2 days...then take it down).
- shellin0
So my only concern with giving them a warning to take the site down is that they could have the ftp info changed, and then I would not be able to take it down. Although I am not sure they are bright enough to contact their server to have the username and password changed.
- Spookytim0
I'm web stupid so forgive me, but if you TELL them first that you plan to take the site down... is it not possible for them to copy off all the code/files etc before you actually do it?
Second thing I wanted to say is that this seems like a very unfair way to treat you Shellin. It just not fair to with-hold a tiny little component to keep the job incomplete in order to not pay you.
I'd get on these people and stay on them becuase it sure sounds like a dodge to me and if you're too accomodating and not pushy enough they'll get confident. Obviosuly you don;t want to get agressive immediately but I would pursue that payment and reason with them that they can with-hold 5% of the remaining payment to reflect the 5% of the job left to do... but even then, get them to agree a deadline when they have to provide you with all the data you need to complete this... its their fault the site remains incomplete not yours so why should you be penalised.
- shellin0
Thanks Spookytime. I agree. The good thing is that the entire site is flash based, so therefore could not be altered by anyone unless they have the source files, which thankfully I have not supplied the client yet.
- Meeklo0
So what you do is, move all the files to your server, and leave just the index page directing to your server. then you explained what you did and that they have till friday to pay or the site has to go down on this friday at 8pm, till they do.
After one week from firday, you will have the message "SITE DOWN DUE TO NON-PAYMENT " like subimage suggested, and you will leave it like that till they pay.
I just recently came from a similar situation, there is no way around it, you have to put your foot down and tell them how it is, and that there is no negotiation, you did your part, now its time they do theirs..
- Great idea Meeklo. Thats what I've done. The site redirects to my temp server now, and tehy have to pay by this Friday or I take the site down.shellin
- subimage0
this past year i've learned one thing. when it comes to money and clients, be ruthless and cold blooded. clients won't hesitate to act the same way towards you.
you've held up your end of the bargain, they're not holding up theirs. you're running a business and they're treating you with disrespect.
don't take that shit from them.
- and if you've emailed them already - they've been warned to pay. just take the site down.subimage
- pr20
don't take anythingd own yet and don;t mention it just yet. Simply say that it wasn't part of the deal -- u did your work and will include the link when it's provided by them but they still have to fullfill the obigation. Then if no response or BS response, take the site down without warning.
- shellin0
Thanks everyone for the advice. Ahh, the joys of freelancing;)
- kerus0
i realize you dont want to ruin the relationship, but if they arent going to pay you, do you really care?
- kerus0
but do more than just email, leave a voice for a couple people as well
- Meeklo0
freelancing is rough...
dress accordingly !