Customer Advice

[PondPikey]

So in June of this year I did some web site design work for a local roofer. Nothing major, wordpress. Information about the business, gallery, contact form pretty standard stuff.

I also provided hours of advice, hosting and usual tweaks. Eventually the site went live. Few weeks later customer then decides he wants it all changed, though in usual customer fashion, wasnt quite sure what they wanted. So I relented, helped out some more. (Customer had already been invoiced on completion)

Anyway It got to the point where I said, Im going to need some more money before I continue. At this point the site was live and had been running for a few months. Hence my reticence to continue doing work until I had been full paid. Several nice and polite emails later. Still no money. So I basically say, if I havent been paid by x date then the site will be suspended. That came and went and the site is suspended.

So I get an email saying thanks mate etc, Ill find someone whos reliable etc.(Not forgetting ive gone over and above for this person). Anyway I took a firmer stand and said well, had I been paid we wouldnt be having this converation.

I get an email today asking me to forward all the files to another web company! The site in total was about £300 notes all in, with a years hosting.

Really annoyed. Ive obviously been taken for a ride but what do I say to this new company?

any advice appreciated.

 

[PondPikey]

Have you been paid for the work agreed? If not I see no reason for you to hand over the files. I guess you didn't really draw up an agreement on the work?

My bad. A friend of a friend sort of deal unfortunatley. One of those I though I was helping someone out and have had my pants pulled down.

I wont be doing it again.

 

[PondPikey]

Thanks for the comments chaps. Warned the new company in a nice round about way, funny thing is I might end up getting some sub contract work through them so all might not be lost.

These people can be a combination of stupid and some cases, calculating. Some of them simply have no idea that we don't just have magic wands that we can use to suddenly do all weird and wonderful things to their websites with but some know exactly what they are doing and just see how far they can push you to carry out work for free. Then once you suss them out and put your foot down, they take the huff and move on to the next unfortunate web guy and the whole thing repeats itself.

I guess its just annoying and a massive waste of time. You go out of your way, above and beyond to help some people and they do the dirty.

He also gave a lot of advice (consulting services). In any case, once the client and worker have decided on a price, they should stick to it. The worker shouldn't start changing prices mid-project and the client shouldn't be refusing to pay. They made a contract (verbal, in this case). A man's word should be his bond.

Totally agree. I only ever charge people for time im actually spent in front of the PC doing the work. Saying £300 is over the top makes me a laugh. The amount of designs, changes, tweaks and consultations this guy wanted. All equals time away from my family. Which I expect to get paid for.

In this case the chap isnt the sort of bloke you really want to upset. So I've just washed my hands of it now - and for the better.

Ive learnt the following:

1) Take % of quoted price before work. Non Refundable.
2) Contract TOS, deadlines and work plan - No matter who they are and what the project is.

I know the above is pretty obvious, but you can easily be fooled into a false sense of security with sweet talking clients.