Well you never can tell. Several years ago I did a website for someone, a casual friend, in the petroleum bidness; a fairly straightforward job except that it involved extensive graphic map work. He paid me some up front and then I didn't hear anymore. Almost 8 months later I saw him and he was very appologetic about the balance not being paid. Sent me a check that week.

Well, I've had slow paying clients before, but that's a different matter altogether.

Actually, a worse problem than any of these things are people who hire me to build a site, then take forever to give me anything to work with. That's a bit hard on the old cash flow.

I think you should post the deadbeat's now empty URL like El Burrito posts bad checks on the wall.

The good news is that since you agreed to do it for less money you didn't get stiffed for as much.

Or something.

I'm sorry to hear about this, but impressed with how you're taking it.

I like the good news Natalie uncovered, too. :-)

I've come to notice that a lot of the regular commenters here know you personally and live nearby - or at least in Texas, which seems to be close-enough to a lot of Texans. If you're wondering what brings a guy from Ohio back to your site every day, this is the kind of thing.

Eric,
I have walked out of a job because I had that feeling that I wasn't going to get paid for my efforts at the end (+ other stange circumstances).
I know what you are feeling. What is even worse is when they pay you and then stop payment on the check. That's almost insulting.

Chalk this one up as a loss and move on. There are plenty of web sites on the sea. Don't let this one discourage you. There are just people out there who want everything for nothing. You can't change them, you just have to avoid them.

I dunno, Natalie...that just feels too much like revenge to me, and that doesn't accomplish anything. But, you are right in that the money itself isn't significant, nor even the real issue.

Brian, you're from Ohio, as in the state?! Dang...all this time I thought you were from Ohio, Texas! ;-)

Shannon, your experience with having a paycheck stopped is much worse than mine. I'd put an employer like that squarely into the "jerk" category. And I assure you that I'm not discouraged, or even more cynical than before (as if that was even possible ;-). At the very least, it was good blog fodder!

I was from Ohio once (not Texas though).

"I'm not discouraged, or even more cynical than before (as if that was even possible ;-). At the very least, it was good blog fodder!"

You know what they say... when life hands you fodder, make a blog.

Actually, Eric, you really should get at least a 50 percent deposit. It's not uncommon in other creative fields, like wedding photography and graphics work (the ones that I've been familiar with). At least that way you're really not out that much. And people who are going to stiff you are less likely to hire you in the first place if they have to put down a deposit.

And - another caveat - NEVER do work for significantly less than your going rate unless it's a non-profit and you're doing it for charity.

But I don't need to lecture you. Enjoy your weekend.

Bryan, if I was actually trying to do this for a living, I'd definitely have a more structured approach, using a written contract (I have one drafted and occasionally have to pull it out for projects involving government entities) and requiring both a deposit and progress payments. But I can afford to be more casual about these things, and that's what I choose to do.

I also have the freedom to adjust my rates for the "extenuating circumstances" I mentioned in my post.

All I can say is...welcome to my world.

Nobody wants to pay for art or design in the first place, and when they finally agree to pay me for work, it's like squeezing blood from a rock from some customers to collect on that agreement.

They'll pay more money for a steak dinner that's going to end up you-know-where in 12 or so hours than they will for a painting or design work. It's an interesting perspective.

Been there. Done that. Still there. Doing that.

Sorry you got stiffed. It's a real bummer.

Been there. Done that. Still there. Doing that.

At least you're not letting 'em get you down. Good for you!

Eric, I read your blog to Steve (as we sit waiting for our floatplane excursion in Sitka, Alaska) and he started laughing. I guess we saw it as "Eric exercised creative liscence!"

By the way, we really do need to talk to you when we return (13th or so) about working on our website, please sir. We've been meaning to call you, but were too busy trying to catch up before we left on the Alaska cruise.

When we return, maybe we can all meet for dinner at Kuo's or something and discuss. Our treat.

If you'll e-mail me your numbers, we'll call you upon our return.

God bless.

Eric, I read your blog to Steve (as we sit waiting for our floatplane excursion in Sitka, Alaska) and he started laughing. I guess we saw it as "Eric exercised creative liscence!"

By the way, we really do need to talk to you when we return (13th or so) about working on our website, please sir. We've been meaning to call you, but were too busy trying to catch up before we left on the Alaska cruise.

When we return, maybe we can all meet for dinner at Kuo's or something and discuss. Our treat.

If you'll e-mail me your numbers, we'll call you upon our return.

God bless.