Comments on: When A Client Puts You Between A Rock And A Hard Place

By: Deborah Dera

Deborah Dera — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:13:40 +0000

That’s awful! It’s not your fault that he decided not to use the piece – you still created it for him, and he should be paying you for your time.

By: Write on the Edge Blog Carnival - 9/2008 | Write on the Edge

Write on the Edge Blog Carnival - 9/2008 | Write on the Edge — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:32:13 +0000

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Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:45:48 +0000

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By: S-Proprietor.com

S-Proprietor.com — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:10:18 +0000

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By: thursday

thursday — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:48:23 +0000

Joe, I agree that if a client plans to use your work, there is no reason to ever accept less than your full fee. The client has decided to go in a different direction, however, and won’t be using the piece. I will be checking up to make sure of that, of course.

By: Joe Ferry

Joe Ferry — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:46:58 +0000

On what basis did he insist on only paying half your fee? Was he not happy with the quality of the work? The amount of time it took? Or did he just think the fee was too high, but just waited until you were done with the work to say something.
There is no way I would accept half of the fee we agreed on. I would tell him that unless he pays the full fee, he has no right to use your work. If he does, you can sue for intellectual property rights infringement, which could carry a much much higher penalty. I would put that in writing to him and see what happens.

By: thursday

thursday — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:22:55 +0000

I do use contracts and such to protect myself. But there is another facet to the problem — it really isn’t enough to bother taking them to small claims court or calling a lawyer. It would cost me more in lost time just than the project would ever be worth, let alone a lawyer’s fees. It really is a rock and a hard place.

By: Joe Ferry

Joe Ferry — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:48:49 +0000

Do you use a Letter of Agreement, specifying the scope of your work, a timeline, the price and payment terms? You and your client both should sign the letter before you do one minute of work. The document is legally enforceable, at least in Pennsylvania,

I know you’ll be tempted to forgo the letter, especially for a client that you’ve done work for in the past. But, it’s the best way to protect both sides from just the kind of situation you described.

By: CJ

CJ — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:59:36 +0000

Take what they gave you. Then take them to small claims court for the rest. I had a client in NYC not pay me what they owed. I went small claims court in NYC. had to wait a few weeks for the court date. The deadbeat did NOT show up, as expected. was awarded the full amount owed, PLUS interest. He had 30 days to pay, and of course he did not. A sherrif showed up at his place of business, and said either he was going to walk out with a check, or start taking laptops and stuff till he reached the amount. He got a check made out to the court. I received my payment 30 days later, with a small amount taken out by the sherrif. All in all it took six months, but the satisfaction was forcing the guy to eventually pay. Hope this inspires you. CJ