doublebankai69
Registered Member
- Oct 8, 2024
- 65
- 35
A client ghosted me right after delivery and I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle it without burning bridges.
Client ghosted you after delivery — how do you handle it?
- Thread starter doublebankai69
- Start date
itsworth
Regular Member
- Jun 17, 2026
- 336
- 138
If it's a new client, i never fully deliver anything untill the payment is cleared. I always leave some indirect way to block whatever he contracted me to do so, after trying contact for 3 days, i block the access, and this will solve the problem. If it's services related to crypto payments, i only begin working with full payment clearance. But if it's an older client... well, tbh it never happened to me, but i'd follow the same path as with a new client.
doublebankai69
Registered Member
- Oct 8, 2024
- 65
- 35
No bro. i didn't get paid. that's the problem.
- May 17, 2018
- 964
- 1,400
The most common payment structure is 50% before work begins and 50% before or at delivery.
If you have their information, send collection letters and escalate as reasonably necessary.
If this was an internet-only client and all you have is an email address or social media handle, this is likely an expensive lesson.
If you have their information, send collection letters and escalate as reasonably necessary.
If this was an internet-only client and all you have is an email address or social media handle, this is likely an expensive lesson.
doublebankai69
Registered Member
- Oct 8, 2024
- 65
- 35
So it was kinda a new client, and my business model is to take on new clients with little to no prepayment so I can buy their credits. And yeah, I only do that after I’ve done enough research on their profile. It’s gone fine in the past, but this is the first real shitshow I’ve run into. Maybe you’re right. it’s an expensive lesson after all.
- Oct 30, 2020
- 2,465
- 1,325
Nobody here should accept clients who dont pay before work;
Especially today. I've noticed in this last 6 months, there's more 'scandalous' approaches by clients than I've ever heard of
One guy just asked me 2 days ago to allow him to pay for something with with a bulk rate, but only wanted to pay for 1-time service upfront.
Then he acted offended and unable to understand why i told him he has to pay single rate if he's not paying a bulk rate up front.
That type of client is surely going to be cheap and problematic, so I just don't deal with thim.
Value Your Time or no one else will.
This has to be a survival mindset.
You should NEVER worked before being paid, period.
Good business is done like this:
1) discussion
2) payment
3) execution
4) review (and/or fixes)
If you follow this business approach and you're a responsible product/service provider, you won't have issues, and your clients will respect you more because disorganized/problematic clients will be avoid you.
- May 17, 2018
- 964
- 1,400
I have a few household-name clients I've been working with for years.
I still demand 50% upfront and the remainder on delivery.
moonshine7000
Elite Member
- Mar 4, 2013
- 4,407
- 4,002
Always secure payment before delivering product or service all online businesses do this
- May 30, 2019
- 13,537
- 10,713
You have to charge upfront because it's a digital product. There's no alternative
arxixx
Newbie
- Sep 7, 2026
- 2
- 1
was in the same spot last year. wrote him once with the invoice, then stopped. chasing people who decided not to pay never worked for me.A client ghosted me right after delivery and I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle it without burning bridges.
pokav
Newbie
- Jun 8, 2026
- 24
- 6
Yeah, one clear invoice reminder will do the trick.If that doesn’t get their attention, harassing them will not change anything.was in the same spot last year. wrote him once with the invoice, then stopped. chasing people who decided not to pay never worked for me.
Moxiepac
Newbie
- Jul 5, 2023
- 14
- 13
I've been on both sides of this, and honestly the 100% upfront-or-nothing stance and the deliver-first-and-hope stance are both a bit extreme. For client work where demanding everything upfront would scare people off, milestone billing is the sweet spot: 50% to start, 50% before the final files are released. It's standard enough that legitimate clients don't blink at it, and you never end up handing over finished work with zero paid.
For this client specifically, I'd do exactly what arxixx said: one firm invoice reminder with a clear payment deadline (seven days is plenty), mention a late fee kicking in after that, and then move on. If you work out the hourly rate of chasing someone who has already decided to ghost you, it's miserable. Your time is better spent landing the next client.
The real fix is process, like Stavro laid out. Watermarked or low-res previews only until the final balance clears. It's not about distrusting the client, it's about making ghosting pointless because the leverage stays with you until money actually moves.
For this client specifically, I'd do exactly what arxixx said: one firm invoice reminder with a clear payment deadline (seven days is plenty), mention a late fee kicking in after that, and then move on. If you work out the hourly rate of chasing someone who has already decided to ghost you, it's miserable. Your time is better spent landing the next client.
The real fix is process, like Stavro laid out. Watermarked or low-res previews only until the final balance clears. It's not about distrusting the client, it's about making ghosting pointless because the leverage stays with you until money actually moves.
- Oct 25, 2018
- 2,282
- 9,601
If the amount involved is big and the client is in the same country, send them a legal notice for recovery of your dues.
If the amount is not life changing, take this as a lesson and always charge before delivery the next time. At least 50%, so that you can at least recover your cost.
If the amount is not life changing, take this as a lesson and always charge before delivery the next time. At least 50%, so that you can at least recover your cost.
- Jun 9, 2020
- 6,613
- 3,270
Take this as a lesson and move on.
Always take payment first or half payment before work.
- Dec 17, 2015
- 1,235
- 362
I’d give them a little time first, then send direct followup about payment pending. No response then stop chasing and take it as a lesson.A client ghosted me right after delivery and I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle it without burning bridges.
For the next client, I’d check their history and agree on payment terms upfront before starting.