[crewebiker]

Wondered if any of you guys here could point me in the right direction after not encountering anything like this before.

Client X asked me to produce a website for him a few months back, a shopping cart site to be precise. I originally took a £150 deposit of Client X which I said would also cover the hosting charges as well as any work I do.

So I go away, and after waiting a hell of a long time for any proper content still of which is awfully minimal, I come up with a draft design. Now if the client had liked this design, all it would need was the cart system code slapping in, a few other minor things and away we go. I thought he'd like it as it was a damn nice design, better than his local competitors and many others for that matter. Pretty much straight away he got back to me saying it looked too much like one of the local competitors sites (which was absolutely rubbish).Obviously I didn't say that, instead I emailed him asking him what changes he'd like to be made and if he had any other ideas.

A month and a bit later (a few days ago) I finally had a very short reply containing just a link and something along the lines of "I want something like that website just swap the logo". I've taken a week off from doing any work this week, therefore haven't got round to replying and (I think) because i've obviously not got back to him swiftly enough I received another email.

Not very friendly at all, but asks for the hosting details including the username and password. I expect he's got another poor designer on the case as he wasn't happy enough with me. As it happens I haven't bought the hosting for his site yet, firstly because the site wasn't at the stage to need it (was still designing), secondly not to waste a months hosting with no site and thirdly so I wasn't wasting the deposit money had Client X decided not to pay me overall.

Unfortunately no contracts were drawn up as I usually have very good relationships with my clients and tend to do everything verbally. This will be a learning curve.

So one thing left, what to do now?

1. Purchase the hosting leaving me out of pocket and give him the details
2. Tell him he can't have anything as the £150 is a non refundable deposit to cover my hours or any loss incase of non payment etc
3. Refund his £150 and get rid of him

Or any other ideas...

Muchly appreciated, as you can tell by the time of morning I'm posting this I'm wracking my brains, on my week off as well!

Just one other thing that may be a factor, Client X is built like a brick poohouse!

[JonoMarshall]

Refund him £75 (or a fair amount IYO), explain the situation honestly and depart ways... job done.

[cjgraphix]

Well lessoned learned in this case I hope. Document everything! Also, go from calling it a deposit (which can be deemed as refundable) to calling it a retainer.

The offers of free hosting and the like need to be made part of the final payment and are not redeemable until final payment is made.

Hosting is cheap. Get him some hosting, give him the information and be done with it.

[herkalees]

Why not just tell the client that the project never got far enough along to require hosting? Does the money he paid cover the amount of hours you already put into it? Is it over, or under?

Hell as far as I'm concerned, you did work so you get to keep the appropriate amount of money, and since the site legitimately wasn't ready to be hosted, there's no shame in telling him that.

Don't fret about pleasing this guy - a good business person knows when to tell a client to screw (in kinder terms). You don't need this guy to like you at this point. Keep whatever money you legitimately earned.

[venturewise]

Get him $10/year hosting from ripplehost.com :-)
keep the rest of the money.

And ALWAYS use a contract!

[Her_B4]

Originally Posted by herkalees

Why not just tell the client that the project never got far enough along to require hosting? Does the money he paid cover the amount of hours you already put into it? Is it over, or under?

Hell as far as I'm concerned, you did work so you get to keep the appropriate amount of money, and since the site legitimately wasn't ready to be hosted, there's no shame in telling him that.

Don't fret about pleasing this guy - a good business person knows when to tell a client to screw (in kinder terms). You don't need this guy to like you at this point. Keep whatever money you legitimately earned.

Ker ching!!!!!! You get the answer of the week.

How many hours work did you complete for the client? IMO - Do up an invoice showing this amount and refund him the difference. If you feel inclined, show a discount on the invoice as the work was not completed. Be professional in your response and ensure that you have rationalised it (i.e via the invoicing). Separately, but delivered with the invoice and the refund cheque - provide the hosting information that he requires.

Even if he is not happy with what you have done for him - don't give him the opportunity to bad mouth your level of professionalism and therefore your business.

You have learnt your grasshopper. Nothing without a contract - doesn't have to be a complicated one. CYA (cover your arse) before you start doign any work - even if it is just a high level agreement to cover a retainer type fee during the analysis phase (and before the client has fully committed to your $costings.)

My 0.02c worth - which as a Kiwi is worth only US0.0156789c

[H3LLRA1Z3R]

Don't let your client push you around. Also from what I read there was little contact between you and your client? E-mail , ring write do what ever it takes to communicate with your client, even if they are the biggest asshole on the planet. keep them informed as to where your at and more importantly what drastic changes they have decided on, it will ease everyone's mind.
if client is built like a brick poohouse a swift kick to the groin area a thwack to the neck and a one liner from your favourite movie will do the trick.
Good luck

[Rinse]

keep the deposit and kill the project

[mddv]

Well another way around is write a good TOS that outlines that the deposit isnt refundable, hosting is available for free when all final work is complete, and other formalities such as variations so this doesnt happen again.

In this case i would just to be fair to yourself is to keep the deposit and explain that work had been carried out and to produce a design. Hosting can be available say for $20 per month.

Client x would probably say $20 per month is too much and part ways. If he still wants his deposit back just say 'no'