No one should ever pay for anything up front. Ever. You're simply asking to be ripped off in that case. However, 1/2 up front and 1/2 on completion is standard. Or at least some deposit to let the person you hire know you are serious about paying for the work.

$300 for some hacks is dirt cheap in my opinion. All the work I've seen posted here is well below standard pricing structures.

I wasn't implying some random person write up a contract. Contracts are useless unless approved by a lawyer. Again after having experience with a client ripping me off, I soon found out that unless the person lives in your local area then it's not a financially viable solution to take action against them. Also just to point out a handshake is a legally binding contract here in the UK :) (so i'm reliably informed)

You don't have to be too scared, just being a bit more careful can be enough.

Ask for references and CHECK them!
Search the forums for posts of that user.
Search the forums for that users username.
Decide on a way of paying which protects both the client and the coder.
I generally accept payment *after* the project, but I'm wary as well if the client doesn't give me the url to his forums, or any other information.
For big projects, agree on partial payments, the first being after a part is coded. If a client isn't willing to pay, he's generally not willing to pay at all!

And, if you're still unsure, ask what kind of experience other users have had with that coder!

If you hire someone for really big hacks, it's absolutelly nessecary to make a real contract signed by both sides, unless you know the hacker very well, as he has done a lot of work for you already.

But even then, vigilance is always important.

i believe half upfront and the other half on completeion is the best deal for both sides:) another way i do it also is i setup a feature before i start from that list i give a price and then when i complete 50% of those features i stop coding until 50% is paid to me(of course i only do this on some projects;) )

anyways paying all upfront is never a good idea:)

Time to add to the list.

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showth...hreadid=321636

When someone hires me to do a job, heres what i do and seems to be the best way for both the client and the company. For example, i was hired to do a vbulletin style for someone. After i coded and designed most of the site i have the client pay 50% of the total amount due. Then when im all finished with the job, i have the client send the other 50%. Then i send him via email the .zip of everything once the payment is recived.

Seems to be the best way IMHO, there is still a chance for the company to rip you off, but me personaly. I wouldn't do all the work and stay up days at a time, to rip someone off. If the work is finished already and they have already paid. It doesn't hurt to send the project.

I also thing insanctus sould be banned from vb.org. If he is using vb.org as a gateway to rip customer off, then there is no reason for him/her to be here.

You guys have been speaking to his wife but he still won't answer the phone himself? :eek:

Mabey it is time for someone that lives near him to drive over to his place and sit in his drive way until he shows up, at least then he can't avoid you by having his wife pick up the phone for him ;).

call "7 on ur side" they will track him down and harass him until he confesses:D or call fox, either will do it:)

That's what I'm saying. VB.org is ALLOWING him to defraud/steal/ripoff Their customers and they are helping him by giving him access to the forums where people are asking for help.

By not Banning him, vb.org is assisting people like this to rip off customers. I wonder the legalities of that.

When members from Ebay rip off other members from Ebay, I do believe Ebay locks their accounts.

Same thing should happen here.