Is this acceptable business behaviour? A freelancer overcharged my noob partner.

Well people have to make their money somehow I guess? Personally I wouldn't take that lying down but I think the way I approach things ( especially online )- I would come off as an even bigger ass than him and make the situation worse.

Its a case of - Do you let your friend learn from this mistake to do some research on clients first?

Or do you want to save him from being ripped off before he pays the guy?

With ethic like that, he'll never know what it's like to keep clients loyal. I don't mean "let karma get him" but at least he only charged $70 and that's all it cost you to find out he's not worth working with. I would politely let him know of all the future earnings he is no longer entitled to consideration for due to the deception.

Pay but tell him that his service is crap.

if the designs themselves are worth $70 quality wise to you then it does nt matter if he spent 3 years placing each pixel by hand or outsourced the work for 50 cents.

$70 sounded reasonable to you, how much it costs Jim to produce them is his business.

I personally (rightly or wrongly) would bring it up with 'Jim'. I would tell him that you expect a specific set-standard of work for the money you are paying him, and tell him you know that he has downloaded them and is making a quick buck. I would then say that you will look elsewhere for future work.....

Haha this is probably because I am in a bad mood, tired and have had a shitty day!

Aegroeg is right in regard to people have to make money online, at the end of the day the responsibility ends with you guys. Take it as a lesson and move on.

Thanks for the differing perspectives.

Duffers, Pekton. You're right - I should cut him some slack. Despite initially being miffed - the cards do look good, and I can't be breathing down my partners neck for making decisions, that had I not been in this game, I'd have been none the wiser for like him.

Really appreciate it. Thanks given.

illfounded21 - That's how I felt earlier today. I've decided that when I speak to Jim I'll casually say: "great templates you chose on those business cards by the way", just so he knows in the future I'll be watching him like a hawk, haha.