Non paying clients!

I've been doing some work for a client (web and graphic design) and they've been an absolute nightmare to work with.

I always charge 50% deposit which is non refundable once work has started, I delivered the complete project to them and they were really happy and said 'I'll pay the final invoice today' yeah right.

This was the last time I heard from them, after numerours calls and 'payment reminder' emails, I sent an email to them reminding them that until they had paid in full the design and site remained the property of my company and that they should clear their balance to avoid any disruption to their website.

Five days later and still no contact I removed the site and replaced it with their crappy original site.

10 minutes later, (and I do mean 10 minutes!) I had a payment confirmation email from paypal and an email from them with some lame excuse about being busy and demanding I restore their website.

Just had to share the story, worst client I've had so far!

Thats how it rolls
Many people choose to use elance for that reason. Some customers can be a real pain in the arse.

Well done btw, on changing the theme.

I agree with you i suffered same way worked on trust basis and finally he was telling me excuses like he lost job and can't pay that too $200 ...BHW should allow these kind of people to post name and company name so that other will not get screwed.

Reyone said:

Thats how it rolls
Many people choose to use elance for that reason. Some customers can be a real pain in the arse.

Well done btw, on changing the theme.

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This wasn't a 'theme' it was a completely different site coded in html & css, substantially more work than changing the theme on a wordpress site.

adroit said:

I agree with you i suffered same way worked on trust basis and finally he was telling me excuses like he lost job and can't pay that too $200 ...BHW should allow these kind of people to post name and company name so that other will not get screwed.

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While I agree it would be nice to 'name and shame' them, I would never do so as it would be unprofessional of me and would look bad on my company.

I remember when I could send out invoices and didn't have to worry too much about clients paying in a timely manner. Then one day two or three years ago all of a sudden 50% of my invoices started going unpaid until I chased them down. From that time on getting them paid took about as much time and effort as the work the invoice represented. I finally gave up on a lot of my accounts because they were slow or no pay clients.

I think everyone is broke - no more lines of credit and businesses are just forced to pick and choose which bills they are going to pay and which ones they are going to delay - or worse just skip.

I hope the money loosens up again.
CC

demanding I restore their website.

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"I will restore the site today" yeah right

sometimes it happens. It's good if you have passwords and stuff to make them pay if they refuse.

sometimes its the better way to get the money, u removed your work and they all of a sudden realize that they must pay

If they are happy why they dont pay it and thats it, alot of customers are tricky

You need a healthy bank balance to operate a business these days - so if someone delays paying you or screws around
it's not going to cost you extra / make your life miserable.

It's just the economy and the mindset of people these days to push you as far as your willing to let them go.

Danny1111 said:

You need a healthy bank balance to operate a business these days - so if someone delays paying you or screws around
it's not going to cost you extra / make your life miserable.

It's just the economy and the mindset of people these days to push you as far as your willing to let them go.

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I agree with what you're saying, I always have multiple clients on the go so I'm pretty safe if one decides to mess me about.
It's purely the principle of the matter!

congratulations on getting them to pay. it's very sad that anyone will screw you if they have the chance to.