Comments on: What To Do To Avoid Getting Ripped Off?

By: Ten Plus Ways to Help You Get Paid | Red Button Reviews

Ten Plus Ways to Help You Get Paid | Red Button Reviews — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:52:55 +0000

[...] talked about collecting late payments before at Freelance Folder. In the excellent post What To Do To Avoid Getting Ripped Off? Lois Knight suggests the following [...]

By: .Freelancedom* » Blog Archive » What To Do When Clients Are Late

.Freelancedom* » Blog Archive » What To Do When Clients Are Late — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:08:33 +0000

[...] in order, it’s time to chase that check down. Lois Knight did a great post on this over at Freelance Folder. Basically, you should (initially) give you clients the benefit of the doubt. Is there a set time [...]

By: Linkswitch! Follow us on Twitter + 23 Extra-tasty Links for Freelancers - FreelanceSwitch - The Freelance Blog

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:01:36 +0000

[...] What to do to avoid getting ripped off? That’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at some point in our freelancing career. Lois, at FreelanceFolder gives some great tips on the topic. [...]

By: Jorge Diaz Tambley

Jorge Diaz Tambley — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:21:07 +0000

Great article, I’m a systems developer and one of my customers is ‘Pay Hard 4′… by now I decided not to do any more work with them, your article helped me see the importance of good communication

regards

By: thinkerpool.com: » Linkswitch! Follow us on Twitter + 23 Extra-tasty Links for Freelancers

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:25:07 +0000

By: Lois K

Lois K — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:41:07 +0000

Dear WTL,
You are absolutely right about folks wanting freelancers to work on a Net30,60,90 or more. I’ve run it to that several times.For some of us it is just not possible. Our bills come due more often than that. It’s okay if you have a good client and you know you’re going to get paid, but I don’t think businesses should have free use for an extended period of time either. Most of them wanted the work done yesterday. I think you are very smart to want the final payment before the final upload. Michael Martine’s idea of the packaged deal might also be a good option for you. This creates a prepay situation and leads away from non-paying clients. I LIKE THAT! Thanks for writing!

By: WTL

WTL — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:30:25 +0000

Thanks Lois for the ideas. I’m a web developer *and* video producer. I’ve recently started asking for deposits – 10% of the value of web projects to get rolling. One of my colleagues sets milestones for payment – when X is finished, an additional 20% is payable etc..

However, I don’t do that – I really like the “big chunk-o-cash” at the end (in theory, anyway). I’m toying with the idea that when I’m finished and the final upload of the site has arrived, then payment is due, before the upload. That might work out.

In the video world, you get paid when you deliver the product, which is where I got the idea.

I think one of the issues businesses have is that they expect net 30,60,90 or even 120 – but for the small freelancer that can be a very serious problem.

By: Lois K

Lois K — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:54:30 +0000

I am SO GLAD I’m not the only one being a little more careful these days!!!!Keep your ideas coming. They are wonderful.

By: Selene M. Bowlby

Selene M. Bowlby — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:11:49 +0000

Great advice, Lois! I like the idea of putting a watermark on comp designs. Do you have any suggestions for once you’ve developed a site, though? I put all designs and in-progress web site development on my server, but there’s nothing from stopping someone from using the “save / complete web page” option (some work for them to re-structure files, but still, they can easily grab what they need if they are that determined…)

I always start off with a contract and detailed invoice, as well as requiring 50% deposit up front, and final balance is due before transfer of file to the client. In cases where a good chunk of the work must be done directly on the client’s server, I either go on a 50% deposit, 25% when it’s time to start work on their server and 25% upon completion – or if all work must be done on the client’s server, then I require full payment in advance.

It’s unfortunate that you have to be a stickler for the rules sometimes, but it’s absolutely necessary to ensure that you don’t get stuck with the raw end of the deal. I’ve seen this happen to so many people – by getting a contract and deposit, etc. you tend to weed out those clients who might not quite be on the up-and-up.

By: Jeffrey Way

Jeffrey Way — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:16:24 +0000

Very nice article! I use quite a few of these tips myself!