Web Design Forums

MJ07 · 10-04-2007, 17:09

Hello, newbie here

I created a website for a client 3 weeks ago, had the price agreed and worked my arse off as they needed it asap, had allsorts of stress with it (as you do...)

Havent been paid yet, and I feel Im getting excuses.

Never had this problem before, and Im not sure what to do, any decent suggestions welcome!

edit - sorry, just realised this ought to be in the Business section

Keenen · 10-04-2007, 17:13

any contract?

Paul · 10-04-2007, 17:15

i hope you've got a contract.

otherwise all you could do is ask strongly. then take there site offline if they still don't pay.

MJ07 · 10-04-2007, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keenen

any contract?

No

I don't have one and have never needed one before. Definitely think it is a good idea for the future.

MJ07 · 10-04-2007, 17:18

I have it in writing that they agree to the price, but its not what I would term a contract.

Taking the site offline would work, hadnt thought of that, altho it is a last resort. Thanks

Paul · 10-04-2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ07

No

I don't have one and have never needed one before. Definitely think it is a good idea for the future.

always get one, lesson learned

Keenen · 10-04-2007, 17:23

Not many people do business without a contract this is the reason why

pgo · 10-04-2007, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ07

I have it in writing that they agree to the price, but its not what I would term a contract.

Taking the site offline would work, hadnt thought of that, altho it is a last resort. Thanks

Well having it in writing is better than nothing, though a contract would be a good idea.

If they have the ability to get at the files of the website and thereby block you out and basically pull a snatch and run on you, I'd take it down ASAP. Send them a courteous letter saying something like you expect payment within a week.

If no dice, take the site down. You technically shouldn't have even put it live on the web without getting a check.

Also, get at least 1/3 of the price before you even start working. 1/3 about halfway through. 1/3 just prior to launch.

Or do it in halves (half up front, half on completion).

WeeJames · 11-04-2007, 09:04

I never put anything live until i get at least part of the cost. Ive had a client (who was actually an uncle of a friend) who kept saying they would pay up but never got round to it and it wasnt till i threatened to take the site down (and stop their email hosting) that they paid up.

Unfortunately some people need that kind of push to pay up. Needless to say i wont be doing business with them again.

Dusteh · 11-04-2007, 09:13

Take it down now before they think about taking it. Remove all files from the server and leave a placeholder page claiming the site will be online soon with their logo and contact details. THEN continue to hassle for the money... you might find they pay upv this time.

weldo · 11-04-2007, 11:25

take it down now and don't put it back til your paid.

also, put some dog poo in a paper bag, put it on their front door step, and set fire to the bag.

then ring their doorbell, run away and hide behind some bushes .

MJ07 · 11-04-2007, 14:16

Haha, the dog poo idea - tempting!

Appreciate all the advice, as has been said - lesson definitely learnt.

If they havent paid by tomorrow the site is coming offline.

Cheers guys.

babydutka · 11-04-2007, 16:05

In the spirit of the business side of the business, check out these sample documents from RGD (Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario). They could help you get a good start on some various business documents for your studio.

RGD Ontario - look it up

All the best!

RaelRode · 11-04-2007, 16:21

Take the site offline immidiately. If they blocked you out then breach the website security (hack) and then delete the files from it. Always sue a contract, trust nobody but yourself.

steharg · 11-04-2007, 16:28

bit late in the day but id take it down immediately and take the files off the server if they have access.... then ask them nicely again tomorrow

Herr Kurm · 11-04-2007, 16:42

horse heads in their beds might work

RaelRode · 11-04-2007, 17:18

Best time to take down a website. Late in the day when they're not there!!! Let us know how it goes ahead.

hawken · 12-04-2007, 01:46

let us know how it goes.

if you have it in writing (email for example) that they agreed to a certain price for a certain work, you can still take them to the small claims court.

SanHachi · 12-04-2007, 19:51

Hey MJ, im a newbie here.. but heres my suggestion..
From now on have a working build OR and static graphic of the final design attached to your site.. sort of a backlink.. send it to the client for final approval... once approved DO NOT RELEASE THE SOURCEFILES UNTIL YOURE PAID...

If you are responsible for taking the site live.. DONT TAKE IT LIVE TIL YOURE PAID.. AND ALWAYS HAVE A CONTRACT...

If you can take this site down DO IT. and then lock them out until you et your money... There are grinders in the world.. and this seems like one of them.

Good Luck

MJ07 · 15-04-2007, 14:28

Thanks everyone, lesson learnt!

The cheque came through after insistence on my part.

Hope it clears... haha!

10-04-2007, 17:09	#1 (permalink)
MJ07 IE6 hater Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Midlands Posts: 97	Payment for work Hello, newbie here I created a website for a client 3 weeks ago, had the price agreed and worked my arse off as they needed it asap, had allsorts of stress with it (as you do...) Havent been paid yet, and I feel Im getting excuses. Never had this problem before, and Im not sure what to do, any decent suggestions welcome! edit - sorry, just realised this ought to be in the Business section

11-04-2007, 09:13	#10 (permalink)
Dusteh Sir digby chicken caesar Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,286	Take it down now before they think about taking it. Remove all files from the server and leave a placeholder page claiming the site will be online soon with their logo and contact details. THEN continue to hassle for the money... you might find they pay upv this time. __________________ unconsolidated isoparms

11-04-2007, 11:25	#11 (permalink)
weldo now with added beard Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Liverpool Posts: 5,568	take it down now and don't put it back til your paid. also, put some dog poo in a paper bag, put it on their front door step, and set fire to the bag. then ring their doorbell, run away and hide behind some bushes . __________________ fuck signatures

12-04-2007, 01:46	#18 (permalink)
hawken Cornish Pasty Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 2,868	let us know how it goes. if you have it in writing (email for example) that they agreed to a certain price for a certain work, you can still take them to the small claims court. __________________ my blog & portfolio sexy combined package

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10-04-2007, 17:13	#2 (permalink)
Keenen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 178	any contract?

10-04-2007, 17:15	#3 (permalink)
Paul Junkie[scum] Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: location, location Posts: 1,865	i hope you've got a contract. otherwise all you could do is ask strongly. then take there site offline if they still don't pay.

10-04-2007, 17:18	#5 (permalink)
MJ07 IE6 hater Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Midlands Posts: 97	I have it in writing that they agree to the price, but its not what I would term a contract. Taking the site offline would work, hadnt thought of that, altho it is a last resort. Thanks

10-04-2007, 17:23	#7 (permalink)
Keenen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 178	Not many people do business without a contract this is the reason why

11-04-2007, 09:04	#9 (permalink)
WeeJames Dog Fighter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glasgow. Posts: 50	I never put anything live until i get at least part of the cost. Ive had a client (who was actually an uncle of a friend) who kept saying they would pay up but never got round to it and it wasnt till i threatened to take the site down (and stop their email hosting) that they paid up. Unfortunately some people need that kind of push to pay up. Needless to say i wont be doing business with them again.

11-04-2007, 14:16	#12 (permalink)
MJ07 IE6 hater Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Midlands Posts: 97	Haha, the dog poo idea - tempting! Appreciate all the advice, as has been said - lesson definitely learnt. If they havent paid by tomorrow the site is coming offline. Cheers guys.

11-04-2007, 16:05	#13 (permalink)
babydutka what sarah said Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 203	In the spirit of the business side of the business, check out these sample documents from RGD (Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario). They could help you get a good start on some various business documents for your studio. RGD Ontario - look it up All the best!

11-04-2007, 16:21	#14 (permalink)
RaelRode Designers are strange :) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shrewsbury, UK Posts: 1,766	Take the site offline immidiately. If they blocked you out then breach the website security (hack) and then delete the files from it. Always sue a contract, trust nobody but yourself.

11-04-2007, 16:28	#15 (permalink)
steharg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Liverpool Posts: 291	bit late in the day but id take it down immediately and take the files off the server if they have access.... then ask them nicely again tomorrow

11-04-2007, 16:42	#16 (permalink)
Herr Kurm bloody peasant Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 2,689	horse heads in their beds might work

11-04-2007, 17:18	#17 (permalink)
RaelRode Designers are strange :) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shrewsbury, UK Posts: 1,766	Best time to take down a website. Late in the day when they're not there!!! Let us know how it goes ahead.

12-04-2007, 19:51	#19 (permalink)
SanHachi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1	Hey MJ, im a newbie here.. but heres my suggestion.. From now on have a working build OR and static graphic of the final design attached to your site.. sort of a backlink.. send it to the client for final approval... once approved DO NOT RELEASE THE SOURCEFILES UNTIL YOURE PAID... If you are responsible for taking the site live.. DONT TAKE IT LIVE TIL YOURE PAID.. AND ALWAYS HAVE A CONTRACT... If you can take this site down DO IT. and then lock them out until you et your money... There are grinders in the world.. and this seems like one of them. Good Luck

15-04-2007, 14:28	#20 (permalink)
MJ07 IE6 hater Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Midlands Posts: 97	Thanks everyone, lesson learnt! The cheque came through after insistence on my part. Hope it clears... haha!

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