That web designer turned a contract issue into a potential tortious interference issue -- against him.
Website Impounded
11–20 of 156 posts
Re: Website Impounded
#12This is unprofessional.
Do remember, they are in a foreign country. Have you tried to sue someone outside of your country? It's not cheap nor easy.
Re: Website Impounded
#13I can empathise with this a lot, but would not recommend going this far, if nothing other than for your own reputation and professionalism. Other clients could see this without fully understanding the situation, potentially losing business.
In previous cases ive been involved in, taking down the site sending in debt collectors is often the easiest and cleanest method of getting back your money.
Re: Website Impounded
#14I can empathise with this a lot, but would not recommend going this far, if nothing other than for your own reputation and professionalism. Other clients could see this without fully understanding the situation, potentially losing business. In previous cases ive been involved in, taking down the site sending in debt collectors is often the easiest and cleanest method of getting back your money.
Can this be done easily from a different country - as this is the case here?
Re: Website Impounded
#15I don't get it. A legally binding contract was signed before they took on the job, right? Doesn't that offer legal protection?
Re: Website Impounded
#16I wouldn't change anyone's website to say they haven't paid a bill. It won't let you collect any easier and you might get sued and lose. At some point you have to say no more work until we get settled up to this point.
Agree entirely with this.. often i take 30% up front, 30% when prototyped, and final 40% payment upon delivery
Re: Website Impounded
#17I am sorry, but this guy is way out of line here. Legally I have no idea, but morally, I do. I mean, go to the place and talk to someone. Or take down the site. Don't start a campaign for your feelings.
edit: On second thought I was eating a restaurant when their televisions turned black and the screen came up with a pay your bill now notice. Every screen in the restaurant. So I guess maybe this is the tactic.
Re: Website Impounded
#18My suspicion is that this is being done because it's international. If Fitness SF is as I suspect in San Francisco while the developer is in Europe, collections will be a real headache. Sue? Sure, probably where you are, probably win. Then collect from the European presence of a California fitness club. I see a potential disconnect.
Sue in California? How much is THAT going to cost someone based in Europe?
And really, what recourse does Fitness SF have either? If they sue him, maybe they win. Maybe that makes it hard for him to come to the USA. Is that a problem for him? Can they legitimately go after him vs his company (and vice versa). It's a no-win situation all around.
I'd say that the big lesson to be learned from this is that international customers pay up-front and with a deposit if you're going to allow things that increase the price (e.g. rush changes). For most things there's not usually a good reason to add the expense and complication of 12-hour time differences and international borders unless you're planning up front to make legal recourse difficult.
Re: Website Impounded
#19I am sorry, but this guy is way out of line here. Legally I have no idea, but morally, I do. I mean, go to the place and talk to someone. Or take down the site. Don't start a campaign for your feelings. edit: On second thought I was eating a restaurant when their televisions turned black and the screen came up with a pay your bill now notice. Every screen in the restaurant. So I guess maybe this is the tactic.
Why not? If after repeated attempts they're not paying them, they should do anything they legally can.
Re: Website Impounded
#20This is unprofessional, this is going to be a nightmare for the developer and probably wont result in him getting paid. It's not the right thing to do.
I agree with most of the other comments here, but I'm still impressed. It's always fun to see someone really going for it.