[peterska2]

Adding my $0.02 here (and briefly too at that!).....

As has been said again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again (get the picture?)

Don't pay before the job has been done, tested, and fixed. Most coders work by this rule. Some do ask for something up front, but I'd be wary at more than 10%.

I've experienced this on both sides of the coin. I've been ripped off for $200 by someone doing a job for me when I first started out, I've completed a full job for someone who never paid me ($500), I've sent a 50% status report for someone who was due to pay me 50% at that point who I never heard from again ($400), I've had coders and clients suddenly stop communicating with me after agreeing a job.

And with contacting, even though I have clients worldwide so timezones are always a pain, I answer my phone or my cell whenever it rings day or night, and if there is an urgent problem I deal with it right away.

You've possibly been ripped off. There's not a thing you can do about it. Go and punch a pillow while screaming, then come back chilled out and learn from it.