Deposit Refund BS
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- vaxorcist0
Ask if they got bought, sometimes new owners go through the books looking to maximize all financial issues and start this sort of thing.... but if they did get bought, there is a chance your original agreement is actually not transferred to the new owners... fine print eh!??
- BonSeff0
Let Bangs take her 2 da movies
- Iggyboo0
You did some work, they paid you for a deposit for the 50% of the work cost. You have something to show for it. If you're a good guy you're still good on the credit if they want the money back, I'd suggest not doing the legal thing and giving them back some of it. but if they insist taking you to court keep it all because you'll need it for your own legal fees.. Its nonsense over this amount.
- i_monk0
Have your lawyer tell them you're dead and you were buried with all their money in an undisclosed location.
- dMullins0
I wouldn't leave it be and see what they do as a couple of people have said:
Sounds like you created a landing page, did some Flash work (charge for code bases and actual development time), and some minor administration of the site. Those costs can be deducted from the $1800 deposit, which was charged as a portion of the full work that was never completed.
Counter-offer with a final sum of the remaining balance against the deposit, which will be marginal I imagine. Remind them that you did do work against the deposit, but also remind them as professionally as possible that this is a really pathetic swipe at small stakes.
- palmer_0
I had a really similar situation. In like 2002, when I was still in school, I took a deposit and started working on a website for this dude that was opening a record shop. I sent him some comps and he never responded. He resurfaced in 2006, blamed me for the failure of the store, and asked for all of his money back through a myspace message. I told him to fuck off. He told me that I'd get a call from his lawyer. I guess he lives in Hollywood now and shoots heroin.
- lambsy0
well, he said that the flash holding page used 50% of the deposit.
so that leaves $900 in actual unused credit.
- calculator0
These days, they'd get a 10 page site for that. Leave it any longer and you'll be doing 20.
- era4O40
Sucks to be in that position, man. Good luck.
- FredMcWoozy0
Thats a nice deposit. So she gave you $1800 and you designed a coming soon custom landing page?
I think you need to atleast give her a 4 page site.
- I would have done an entire multi-page site... the business never got off the ground.ItTango
- cuke4260
ha awesome please keep us updated
- monNom0
You should just give it back to them... minus of course the time spent on the flash page, administering their account over 5 years. etc. Itemize and account for all the unbilled time they've wasted in the past 5 years. Offer to refund them the difference. If that's not good enough, tell them to sue.
Plus, if it does go to that far, your attempt to settle will be looked upon favourably in small claims court.
BTW don't forget to include the taxes you probably paid on that deposit... I'm not sure but 5 years ago seems like you wouldn't be able to revise your past earnings and carry that loss forward. check with an accountant.
- this is a great point. once you itemise the costs, the tax etc, you might just send them $15 and a thank-you.airey
- utopian0
Fight them douche bags if they take you to court, they can not collect on a service rendered 5 years ago, I am surprised they have enough money to send you an email...
- Josev0
ehh, as airey said, I wouldnt worry about it. It would probably go to small claims court and the worst thing that could happen (I think) is that you'd have to give some of it back if the contract was ruled non-binding. You did do some work and set aside your time. Wait to see what they plan on doing. It's not worth it to invest the time and effort to go to court over $1800. I think their thinking that you'll just turn it over because they asked.
- Josev0
Does your contract state that it is non-refundable? Was it tied to a specific date?
- airey0
fuck 'em. if they honestly think they have a chance in court let them try. it wouldn't go anywhere.
- lambsy0
why was this payment of $1800 specified as a 'deposit'
did both of you have an understanding that the money would go towards a full website design?
did you charge them for the flash holding page or was that a freebie?
- meffid0
There's some literature about this around somewhere, generally it's only valid for a year I would have thought.
Ask to see what paperwork they have/emails.
If I threw a party and put a deposit / up front payment for 10 kegs, they delivered 10 paper cups because I didn't tell them where to deliver it, I would think I was still in credit with their firm and want to shift the credit to something else, I would expect this to be valid for about 5 days because I changed my mind or failed to provide details. 5 years is a fucking joke.
In my contractual terms of service agreement I clearly state the deposit is forfeited if they don't hold up their end; completing content requirements etc, and at any stage if the contract is void by either parties the deposit is mine regardless, and this is for me 40% for clients I've never worked with. It gets signed everytime before I start work.
- i_monk0
Counter-sue them for failing to provide you with more work.
- mydo0
give them the phone number for a lawyer.