Freelance scam - please give input

[jazzc]

Lesson learned: always write up contracts for projects! Also, never give entire project over before getting paid!

NEVER EVER give full code beofre getting paid. I usually host all my scripts on a private server, the customers checks that they are working, they pay and THEN they receive the product.

 

[cliffdropper]

NEVER EVER give full code beofre getting paid. I usually host all my scripts on a private server, the customers checks that they are working, they pay and THEN they receive the product.

It is well known that the programmer always takes the risk. You just have to have enough irons in the fire.

I have always done repeat business with good programmers. Any that have made the project hard for me, I never, no matter how skilled they are, work with them again.

Please everyone and $650 is a very small loss. Or, in this case it created repeat business.

 

[imontie]

It is well known that the programmer always takes the risk. You just have to have enough irons in the fire.

I have always done repeat business with good programmers. Any that have made the project hard for me, I never, no matter how skilled they are, work with them again.

Please everyone and $650 is a very small loss. Or, in this case it created repeat business.

not to most people

 

[swinter84]

What kind of site is it?

Sell it on Ebay for a couple bucks, try to sell hundreds or thousands of copies... Make your cash and screw him...

 

[bhatsuccess]

How was the business transaction consummated? Did you get a signature or was it through a Freelance site?

If you have a signature on a signed agreement that will be your proof to his hosting company and domain registrar that your claim is valid.

If this was through a Freelance site you need to go through dispute resolution as they have probably verified his personal information when he created an account. They will also typically release his identity and some details pre-arbritation.

 

[cooooookies]

GAF (getafreelancer_dot_com) offers a escrow payment system. For non BH-things, this might help you for your next job. I am regularly hiring freelancers there and am very happy with that platform.

Hey black/white hatters,

I just did a job for a guy who wanted a website and a bit of content written. We decided on a price and I got started... He had great communication and everything was finished on time. Here's where I messed up... I gave him the files and everything for the site and asked him to pay after and that's when he told me that his paypal account was frozen... I understood because I know paypal can be strict. He said that he would be talking to them on the phone the next morning regarding getting it unfrozen. I told him that would be fine and then 3-4 days passed before I could contact him again. He told that paypal was investigating the issue and that if I wanted he would wire the money to my bank account and I said that would he great. I sent him all the info he needed and another 3-4 days passed. He told me that his bank account was under fraud investigation because he purchased $30k worth of stuff on a credit card in another state... That's when I got leery... Since he told me that about his bank it's been a week. The guy owes me $650. The domain has private registration so I can't get his phone number or address.

Am I totally screwed? I'm going to talk to his domain registrant and host about the situation and see if I can either get his info or have them take the site down and then I can use it for myself or sell it.

Would it be worth taking to small claims court? I am only 17 but my parents know about my online work so they would help out.

Lesson learned: always write up contracts for projects! Also, never give entire project over before getting paid!

 

[jazzc]

It is well known that the programmer always takes the risk. You just have to have enough irons in the fire.

I have always done repeat business with good programmers. Any that have made the project hard for me, I never, no matter how skilled they are, work with them again.

You have to be kidding. Why would the programmer take any risk? It is quite simple really. If it can be tested on a server the client does not control, this is the safest way to do it for both. The client sees the stuff working, he is safe. The programmer gets paid, he is safe too.
If it is not possible to do that, the client should pay part of the cost at the beggining.

Programmers are professionals, not beggars.

 

[imontie]

If you guys read the thread, I got the money...

 

[cliffdropper]

You have to be kidding. Why would the programmer take any risk? It is quite simple really. If it can be tested on a server the client does not control, this is the safest way to do it for both. The client sees the stuff working, he is safe. The programmer gets paid, he is safe too.
If it is not possible to do that, the client should pay part of the cost at the beggining.

Programmers are professionals, not beggars.

Professional programmers? That is a good one. Tell me what makes a professional freelance programmer?

Gets work done on time? Rarely
Uses clean code that passes validation? Never
Tests project before turning over? Never
Suggests add ons that would benefit the project? Never
Gets a high rating even though the project will need more work? Always


Damn, I just gave you a method to charge twice as much and grow your client base.

 

[cooooookies]

I made the same experience initially. Takes some time to find a good one. And if you have only a small project, better do it yourself - time invest amortizes only for larger projects this is sadly true.

Professional programmers? That is a good one. Tell me what makes a professional freelance programmer?

Gets work done on time? Rarely
Uses clean code that passes validation? Never
Tests project before turning over? Never
Suggests add ons that would benefit the project? Never
Gets a high rating even though the project will need more work? Always


Damn, I just gave you a method to charge twice as much and grow your client base.

 

[davidson]

Probably not. Just going to court does not guarantee hundreds of thousands of dollars. In small claims court, you are only likely to recover the amount you can prove the guys owes you. The judge is not likely to grant punitive damages for a civil contract dispute. If you didn't have a written contract, it's your word against his. You may or may not win.

Sue him

if you win in the court you will get some hundred thousand dollars

 

[designsonline]