Blackmailed by client

[TypicallyDutch]

The email has been sent to the client. It took me an extra day because I was afraid to send it and was overthinking.

I've told them:
- I’ll send all open invoices to my debt collection agency/bailiff (I am from the Netherlands), who have the legal rights to make legal claims and, if still ignored, issue legal summons. It costs me 10% of the total invoice amount with no cure no pay.
- I gave them a final date (7 days from now).
- I provided a list of all the consequences, including penalty interest, withdrawal of licenses I've paid in advance, and restoring the website backup to February 1st (when the first work began, which they don’t want to pay for), assuming they aren’t happy with it, so why keep it.

I’ll keep you updated on this.

 

[Dopious]

The email has been sent to the client. It took me an extra day because I was afraid to send it and was overthinking.

Good, the first time it is hard since you want to be nice to everyone, but as you now know there are always going to be assholes trying to take advantage of you, knock them down fast to not get stuck in the victim mentality.

Well done.

 

[LeticiaSafadinha]

Focus in providing a good experience for your best clients that deserve offers and your attention
And don't waste time with crooks

 

[pepeneo]

redirect some spam domains to them, then don't contact them, even if they write to you do not write them back, if they pay the invoice then remove the redirect, but again do not talk to them

dumbassas tend to do this, but as soon as you stop replying they will think about you everytime there is a problem regarding the site and will wonder if it was you

 

[adm_crowd]

Unfortunately, along this path, you encounter various people, often not very honest ones. It's a pity...

 

[SilverClouds]

it is hard since you want to be nice to everyone

No. Just no.

 

[Dopious]

No. Just no.

We all learn in time that it is not possible.

 

[TypicallyDutch]

Update:

The payment deadline is tomorrow, and today I received a response to the email I sent last Friday.

In this email, they reiterated that they wouldn't pay until certain adjustments were made.

I replied with almost the same message as last Friday, stating that I had made a small change on the website that took me less than two minutes, because it was already done on the test website and just waiting for payments before implementing it to the website. I also informed them that if they did not pay within seven days (providing an extra extension), all changes would be reverted, and the backup from February would be restored.

One hour later, I received the payment for the first invoice, along with an email confirmation that they would pay the other two invoices today.

I'm curious why they suddenly changed their mind and decided to pay, but I'm glad to have received the payments for the work I’ve done.

 

[SilverClouds]

Update:

The payment deadline is tomorrow, and today I received a response to the email I sent last Friday.

In this email, they reiterated that they wouldn't pay until certain adjustments were made.

I replied with almost the same message as last Friday, stating that I had made a small change on the website that took me less than two minutes, because it was already done on the test website and just waiting for payments before implementing it to the website. I also informed them that if they did not pay within seven days (providing an extra extension), all changes would be reverted, and the backup from February would be restored.

One hour later, I received the payment for the first invoice, along with an email confirmation that they would pay the other two invoices today.

I'm curious why they suddenly changed their mind and decided to pay, but I'm glad to have received the payments for the work I’ve done.

Great! I like how you treatened them you'd revert to what was paid for rather than deleting the whole thing (which wouldn't make sense since they paid for that).

Yeahhh, they always change their mind if you deny to work for free. Client wanted a training session (which is separate service, not part of retainer he's paying), I was firm and denied free work 3 or 4 times in a row, he agreed to pay. No way in hell I'd work for free. Remember, you can deny, you don't have to do the work only because they want it.

 

[Ignatius_Reilly]

Bro! You’re too naive, and in business, that’s not a good thing. From what I’ve read, you have absolute control over the website, as both the license and hosting are under your control. I wouldn’t think twice, take the website down and don’t lift a finger until they pay your fees. Given the circumstances, I’d make it clear to that client that if they want to continue working with me, they need to pay invoices upfront from now on.

Seriously, I’ve been through many situations like this, and as others have said, these types of clients only cause problems. Have them pay what they owe you and future invoices in advance, or cancel the license and hosting and screw them. In fact, I’d do it as soon as possible, so they can’t make a copy of the site and migrate everything to another hosting.

This type of client is only going to give you problems: non-payments, payment delays, demands outside the contracted services, etc. I don’t know your situation, but if you’re just starting and have no choice but to endure it, at least set some boundaries like the ones I mentioned before (suspending services until you receive your fees). But if you already have a profitable business running, just try to collect the outstanding invoice, and once it's paid, tell them to go to hell. I would even replace their entire website with shemale porn or something like that, so they learn their lesson.

 

[UrbanSnake]

I'm glad that you received the invoice payment in the end

 

[TypicallyDutch]

Bro! You’re too naive, and in business, that’s not a good thing. From what I’ve read, you have absolute control over the website, as both the license and hosting are under your control. I wouldn’t think twice, take the website down and don’t lift a finger until they pay your fees. Given the circumstances, I’d make it clear to that client that if they want to continue working with me, they need to pay invoices upfront from now on.

Seriously, I’ve been through many situations like this, and as others have said, these types of clients only cause problems. Have them pay what they owe you and future invoices in advance, or cancel the license and hosting and screw them. In fact, I’d do it as soon as possible, so they can’t make a copy of the site and migrate everything to another hosting.

This type of client is only going to give you problems: non-payments, payment delays, demands outside the contracted services, etc. I don’t know your situation, but if you’re just starting and have no choice but to endure it, at least set some boundaries like the ones I mentioned before (suspending services until you receive your fees). But if you already have a profitable business running, just try to collect the outstanding invoice, and once it's paid, tell them to go to hell. I would even replace their entire website with shemale porn or something like that, so they learn their lesson.

I'm indeed too nice in some ways and had to learn the hard way. However, I am in full control as the sole website admin, and I also manage all their domains.

The problem is that I'm in an entrepreneur network group, and this client is also a member. We see each other every week, which means I need to maintain my reputation within the group and avoid causing any trouble. In recent weeks, other members who are aware of the situation have also advised me to increase the pressure on the client.

 

[SilverClouds]

Bro! You’re too naive, and in business, that’s not a good thing. From what I’ve read, you have absolute control over the website, as both the license and hosting are under your control. I wouldn’t think twice, take the website down and don’t lift a finger until they pay your fees. Given the circumstances, I’d make it clear to that client that if they want to continue working with me, they need to pay invoices upfront from now on.

Seriously, I’ve been through many situations like this, and as others have said, these types of clients only cause problems. Have them pay what they owe you and future invoices in advance, or cancel the license and hosting and screw them. In fact, I’d do it as soon as possible, so they can’t make a copy of the site and migrate everything to another hosting.

This type of client is only going to give you problems: non-payments, payment delays, demands outside the contracted services, etc. I don’t know your situation, but if you’re just starting and have no choice but to endure it, at least set some boundaries like the ones I mentioned before (suspending services until you receive your fees). But if you already have a profitable business running, just try to collect the outstanding invoice, and once it's paid, tell them to go to hell. I would even replace their entire website with shemale porn or something like that, so they learn their lesson.

I agree with everything except deleting the whole thing or putting funny things there... Guys, you do this in your real names, don't do illegal stuff in your own name. People ddos their clients, etc and then get caught and have legal problems, it's not worth it. I'd just put some message about unpaid service instead of the site till he paid, if he didn't revert to backup with things that were paid for. Douches aren't worth you landing in jail. Just don't work unless they pay, that's all.

I'm indeed too nice in some ways and had to learn the hard way. However, I am in full control as the sole website admin, and I also manage all their domains.

The problem is that I'm in an entrepreneur network group, and this client is also a member. We see each other every week, which means I need to maintain my reputation within the group and avoid causing any trouble. In recent weeks, other members who are aware of the situation have also advised me to increase the pressure on the client.

Yeahh, it applies to him too, if he acts like a scammer this should be known in the group.

 

[greasyyet]

Accept your loses if they insist and blackmail you... go too the police !

 

[greasyyet]

Personally in this situation I allow 30 days for payment, I will then send overdue reminder and if it’s still not paid two weeks later, I’ll add a late payment fee to the invoice.

If it’s still not paid after that and I have control of the site/hosting etc then I will simply take the site down and wait for a call.

If it gets to that stage then I would also charge a re-a privation fee on top of the outstanding invoice(s).

You have to have a procedure in place and stick to it, otherwise people will abuse any slack you give them.

If I didn’t have control of the assets in question and/or they still don’t pay at that point then I’ll just write off the outstanding debt and move on; because the most important thing is filtering out clients like this and spending your time and effort on clients who do value your services.

Wich are the procentage of late charge ? 0,1% daily ? You/we are legal too put this kind of fee in contract ?

 

[abbesnetwork]

Legal actions can be done. You may consult with a lawyer if filing a case is feasible. You may negotiate it with your client if you can talk things over.

 

[Nekola]

well guy's you got to pick good freelancer by checking there stats in the community

 

[Dopious]

I'm curious why they suddenly changed their mind and decided to pay

Glad you finally got the money, they sudenly understod that you meant business and was not a pushover. I bet you get fewer problems from now on with them. Congratz, well learned lesson.

 

[RaidenShogun]

They realized that they could no longer fool and exploit you and decided to pay you.
That's the reason for the sudden change of heart.

If I were you, I would have been stricter.

 

[davids355]

Update:

The payment deadline is tomorrow, and today I received a response to the email I sent last Friday.

In this email, they reiterated that they wouldn't pay until certain adjustments were made.

I replied with almost the same message as last Friday, stating that I had made a small change on the website that took me less than two minutes, because it was already done on the test website and just waiting for payments before implementing it to the website. I also informed them that if they did not pay within seven days (providing an extra extension), all changes would be reverted, and the backup from February would be restored.

One hour later, I received the payment for the first invoice, along with an email confirmation that they would pay the other two invoices today.

I'm curious why they suddenly changed their mind and decided to pay, but I'm glad to have received the payments for the work I’ve done.

Of course; they will always change tune once they realise there is a consequence to their actions.

Don’t worry about being in a group with them either because I’ve found personally that once you put your foot down like that, people respect you more.

It’s just human nature that if someone seems weak, we take advantage and if they seem strong, we respect them.

Anyway good job and I’m glad you got paid.