[haysuess]

My friend started working at a gym I go to and after talking with him and the owner they decided to have me design some business cards for all the trainers there. I did 6 concepts and he chose one and asked for pricing/quantities. I e-mailed the info to him and a few days later my friend came over and said the owner was telling the manager that he was talking about taking my designs to someone they've used in the past and have him copy my design and use him to print them.

There is obviously something morally very wrong with that but I was wondering how much of the design would have to be copied for me to be able to call him out and take some kind of action? Obviously they can't use the jpg's cuz of the size and the 'proof' overlay but...

Any advice? I won't say anything yet because I don't want my friend in hot water at work so I'll have to wait and see what happens. I definitely WILL get a copy of the cards they get if he doesn't e-mail me back and see whether or not it warrants action.

[Chino]

To protect yourself against this sort of thing, it's always best to ask the client to put down a deposit; maybe 50% or something like that. This way, they've already invested in the project and thus greatly reducing the chance of them going elsewhere.

Now since you're already in this situation, it appears your going to have to wait it out and see what they end up doing and then talk to the person that initiated the job with you and work it out. Yes, it's morally wrong and you're going to have to weigh the amount of time you've invested against what it would take to collect your money and see if any legal action is even worth it. I'm willing to bet since you made 6 concept business cards that legal action would not be in your best interest.

No, they won't use the JPGs you supplied them but any, well, most designers can take any design they see and duplicate it.

Sorry you're in this situation, we've all been there. Unfortunately, some of us more than once so at least you learn from it and ALWAYS ask for money down before you start any designs. If they don't like that idea then they're not serious about the service you can provide for them. If they've seen your portfolio they should know what you're capable of and not hesitate with investing money into a product they "appear" to want.

[Rusty Eldred]

First off if it happens, you know where he works. keep it on the DL. Have your friend spot what kind of car he drives and the hours he works. No rush just take it in stride so that there is a time gap between him f!#@&*g you and what might happen. This way you are not the suspect. He would have long forgot about you by then. And don't tell your friend why you want to know what he drives. Just answer with "Oh I thought I might have seen him the other day." or "Oh, Just wondering."

Once they get new cards see if you can get one of the cards. This way you can observe it and make sure that he copied your idea. You want to make sure before drawing conclusions. Always make sure you're right before doing something that involves payback.

Then be creative: go to the dog park and collect fresh dog POO. (this is a little stinky but hey it will be worth it, after your done febreeze your car) Generally the poos already in a plastic bag. Get a rubber glove and get the poo; rub it under his door handles like putty. Use your hand like a putty knife. As if your filling in the hole where his fingers are bound to get into. Be clean about it bc if he sees it, then he won't reach for the handle. Maybe have a towel to wipe the outside handle off. Dispose of it in a plastic sack. Then throw it away in the nearest dumpster.

Or, Get some boards the length of the width of a tire. paint it gray to blend in with concrete. Place a few nails in there. You may want to paint these gray to, so that they aren't shiny. Make sure it's small enough to go unnoticed. Put it up to your car and step back to look at where it's best hidden. Now you're ready. spot the car, pick the safest tire to get to. And Walah! instant magic. A little flat tire!

I wouldn't tell your friend that works out at the same gym about your plans. You wouldn't want anything to slip out of his mouth. And if the owner in fact did have someone copy your ideas then you are morally right bc in the end what goes around 'Comes around'.

[haysuess]

HAHA!

That was by far the best response I could have imagined lol.

I have learned to always collect some kind of deposit though, maybe even the entire design amount in some cases and then the rest they owe will be printing costs. Sometimes that's about 50/50, is that fair?

Thanks guys. haha

[Rusty Eldred]

I think the deposit is the best way but you never know. You may get bored and go searching for some dog POO!

Sorry that happened to you. Good Luck!