General Discussions

**love0715** · 12-05-2006, 11:09 AM

Hello i have a question about how you will deal with your client in this situation.

I recently started my little freelance business. I work full time as developer in a bank. Through the advertising board in the bank, a bank employee emailed me for setting up a small business website.

I charged him (annual) hosting fee and (one time)design fee. He paid me annual hosting fee up front and planned to pay the design fee.

So a few weeks later, the site is completed. He asked me how much he owed me, i replied just the design fee. He replied me "i will deposit $ next Wednesday". The following Wednesday i did not receive it. I emailed him and asked to pay next Wednesday and I specified the date (Nov 22).

He replied me and said ok i will let you know once deposited. Obviously he didn't . i emailed him one more reminder on Nov 29 and he did not reply .

We didn't choose to meet him face to face . We just exchanged emails. ( I could find out his phone # since he's bank employee but ....) .

What would be your constructive advice to get the design fee $?

Thanks
TC

**stOx** · 12-05-2006, 12:13 PM

Take the site down untill he pays.

**Talk2Me** · 12-05-2006, 04:54 PM

Looks like he doesn't have any plans to pay you. Do you have any other infos about that man's background?

**DaveMo~** · 12-05-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stOx

Take the site down untill he pays.

I think that would be the first thing to do. Then the next thing to do would be to contact him, via email, phone, whatever, and ask his intentions on paying.

What kind of contract did you have with him? That may determine what rights that you have.

Above all, remain professional and courteous through all your dealings. Threatening and cursing will only get that kind of reply in return.

If all else fails, you do have a year of hosting where you could put something else.

Dave

**love0715** · 12-05-2006, 06:18 PM

I actually didn't have any contract.We both work in the same bank . He found my advertisement on a bank community board and we commute via email.

The way it works is that he sends me all the content . I go out myself and register a domain and web hosting account in another company . I just design the pages and upload them in that web hosting account. He has no direct access to update the site.

I am 99% sure he won't reply me . He knew i won't update the site if he doesnt pay the design fee. He should pay me because the site was completed. You know a promise is a promise . He didnt say to me he's not satisifed with my work or said "i won't pay until you re-design the way i want " etc.

I don't know what i can do with the already registered domain and web hosting account. I still have 10 months left.

**Republikin** · 12-05-2006, 06:48 PM

You could take him to small claims court. In most states I think a verbal contract is binding but only if you have a witness or two.

**colbyt** · 12-05-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stOx

Take the site down untill he pays.

Send him an email stating that if you have not received payment by xx/xx/xxxx you will take the site down and then do it if necessary.

**Giselle** · 12-06-2006, 10:45 AM

If I was in this situation, I would take the site down and return his annual hosting fee. As you can see the individual is lacking responsiblity. Seeing as you both work for the same bank, this saves any kind of friction or tackiness.

**unlisted80** · 12-06-2006, 12:59 PM

take the site down and post for sale

**luvlyn** · 12-06-2006, 01:57 PM

there must be an agreement before the start of the project that can protect both parties (ex. down payment for all services). just inform him about the payment and think some solution to charge him in other way (since you hold his hosting).

**WebmasterPost** · 12-12-2006, 04:53 PM

Yup, before you take the site down, I would give him an ultimatum so he has one last chance to pay you.