Be Careful_ Deposit Gone!!

[Corriewf]

Oh ok.

[LNON]

Originally Posted by corriewf

Its threads like this that will pressure him to refund your money to save face. Kind of wierd to post a thread saying you were ripped off and then refuse to give out the name so another person can get ripped off. What if he had done this before and that person didnt post what happened so then he ripped you off? How would that make you feel?

I understand your concern. It seems unfair to jump right to "hard ball" without giving this guy the chance to "save face" as you put it. Hard ball is always an option....I just don't think it should be the first option.

[Corriewf]

Well for example I dont always check this forum but instead I do a search under my names and respond.

[cinq]

I always accept 50% deposit first. Part of the terms. No deposit, no go, simple as that. I only waive the 50% deposit on certain recurring clients whom I know I can work well with, and who are good for the money. Sometimes it's all about gut feel.

I have rejected some clients as well in the past even though they were willing to pay the 50% deposit, simply cos 'it just did not feel right'.

In this sort of thing, I always believe it involves mutual trust on both ends. Of course, while easily said, it is not always the case in real life dealing with people you've never met over the internet.

[Dean C]

I always take a 50% deposit and sign a contract outlying the terms in which this deposit can be returned (should I fall ill, or have to leave for a period of time etc).

[RichieBoy67]

Maybe he has had some sort of an emergency or something. You do not give details on how long this has gone on etc..... If he is as thorough as you say maybe you should give him the benifit of the doubt???

Besides, not all customers are all that trustworthy either. Often requests are changed midstream and things are added etc.... it is not always as cut and it could be...

50% before and the rest after works... nothing wrong with that in my opinion.

What is wrong with posting his name here anyways? Let him defned himnself... maybe he has good reason and maybe we'd be even doing him a favor by mentioning his name..

[LNON]

Originally Posted by RichieBoy67

Maybe he has had some sort of an emergency or something. You do not give details on how long this has gone on etc..... If he is as thorough as you say maybe you should give him the benifit of the doubt???

Besides, not all customers are all that trustworthy either. Often requests are changed midstream and things are added etc.... it is not always as cut and it could be...


50% before and the rest after works... nothing wrong with that in my opinion.


What is wrong with posting his name here anyways? Let him defend himself... maybe he has good reason and maybe we'd be even doing him a favor by mentioning his name..

How you guys do business is up to you...as consumers though, we need to be careful and warn each other of potential problem... I strongly disagree with the idea of PayPal-ing someone 50% of a project across state lines. I am in discussion with a Texas firm for a $25,000 website rework and they will start with nothing up front. If I get my way though, we'll keep VB and Tim, the guy who has worked magic on my forum design.

This is not the first time that I have hired someone over the net, since starting my business and have been ripped off by shoddy workmanship. Both times it was a person who appeared reputable, knowledgeable and had great references....references do not mean squat if they botch YOUR project....

As for this guy being sick, he is not.We have spoken many times via email regarding this botched project. There is not debate at this point...the guy quit said here is what I have done so far- take it or leave it. It was unusable to me.

I realize that there are alway two sides of the coin out there, as I run a business myself. I also won an award for customer service my first year in business. I have never stopped a project, then stiffed someone on a deposit.

This person did appear to be legit and my conversations with him were great. I really felt he could at least done a passable job. I should have gotten the first clue when he put 4 to 6 weeks in his proposal, after I had made it clear to him that I needed it right away. After clarifying with him that he would be starting immediately I gave him a deposit. I really trusted him.

You should see the banner graphic they tried to give me. A second grade kit could have done it. Thats when I started to boil over at this "propeller head" and his next email he clearly stopped the project...now he denies that he terminate the project.

As for posting his name, I made an ethics call there. You may not agree. How many times in life I made a kick to the groin when a punch in the face would do. It is not in my nature to harm people ...it is also not in my nature to be bullied or ripped off.

**** Update*****

After many emails and threatening this guy I did manage to get back less than half of my deposit back after offering to settle for half...He still felt the need to short me by a few bucks...what an idiot.

I am now going to bow out of this thread and consider this resolved. I need to focus on business. I would suggest steering clear of this guy and you can PM me for more info.