Opinions Needed

[ReptiliansDOTca]

I will keep all names out of this, so that there is no reason to delete the post. If this is against any other rules however, I apologize in advanced.

I was hired for a web design by an individual; this may or may not pertain to my case, but I believe he is a young teenager. I really hate when people waste my time such as this case here, as not only is it wasting my time, but the time of other clients. Anyhow, this individual was looking for someone to do a web design, as well as someone to do a logo for a small fee. I contacted him with my rates, and went $300.00 less due to his financial situation. In addition, I told him I would include a logo for free. He seemed thrilled, and agreed for me to do the design. At this point, exact payment schedule was not discussed, but a final price was, which for my own sake I will not post here.

I did the logo first, and showed him. From his own words, he loved it. At this point, I moved onto the design. Shortly after, however, he e-mailed me and said he was moving, and could no longer take the design. He was lacking the necessary funds. Now, in this position I thought to myself: I have two choices. Either I work with him, and get something feasible for my time and efforts, or I demand the original price and receive nothing. Needless to say, I tried to work with him. I dropped the price an additional $50.00, and agreed to take monthly payments over three months. He told me he had $80.00 in his paypal account which he could send me immediately, as the first payment. I accepted this, and we continued. I e-mailed him with a preview of the site, and had not heard back from him. I then got an e-mail from him saying that his domain, which again I will not mention, was not yet registered. I replied stating that I would register it upon receiving full payment. Again, I did not hear from him. Approximately a week ago, I received another e-mail stating that he no longer wanted me to do his design, and demanded his $80.00 to be returned. His reasoning was that he saw a post by David Avery on Fauna, in regards to a deal with me gone wrong. He then added that he had not yet seen the site as well.

My first impression was that again, due to a lack of funds he needed to bail, and had found an excuse which he deemed appropriate. I e-mailed him back, mentioning that I have no problem waiting a little longer for the payments (I only received the one as of yet), and if payment was the issue, to please discuss it openly with me. I again included a preview to the website. A few days later, he replied saying “It all looks very nice, but due to the way things have gone so far, I don't feel comfortable doing business with you..." Again, he demanded a refund of his $80.00.

I know $80.00 is nothing big, but I am sick and tired of people wasting my time. This is the third time someone has got me to do a design, and then bailed on me. However this is the first time someone has made a payment, and responded to my corresponding e-mails requesting payment. I am posting here, in hopes that you will suggest what you feel I should do. I appreciate your time.

I forgot to mention that I have a copy of every e-mail and chat log to support my case here.