What Should I Do If a Client Refuses to Pay After Getting My Work?
Asked by
CreativeCoder92
I need some advice about a challenging situation with a client. Back in December, a client asked me to create a website for him, and we discussed a full version priced at €1000. However, he only had a budget of €300, so I agreed to a minimal version with fewer features. I delivered that, but the client was not satisfied and requested the full features instead. Although I built the complete site expecting he would pay the full amount, I didn't confirm this in writing, trusting our verbal agreement. After finishing the site, he approved it and even suggested more work afterwards. Then, he vanished for three months. When he finally contacted me, he expressed financial difficulties, paid €400 (on top of €100 he already paid), and promised to send the remaining €500. Months passed without payment, and he claimed the site was incomplete and that he had already sent €700, which isn't true. Now he's using the full website without completing the payment. I can take the site offline since I control the hosting. I'm considering warning some mutual contacts about his behavior. Would taking the site down and giving a heads-up be fair, or is that too much? What would you recommend doing in this situation?
Answers
You gotta take the site down. It’s the only way to get your money. If he’s not paying up, you have all the rights as the host to take it offline until he does.
Reply to this answer
I always use a staging site for situations like this. Once the customer is happy and has paid, I transfer it to the live server. It minimizes the risk of a scenario like yours.
Reply to this answer
Forget the drama. Just shut the site down. It's not worth your stress dealing with someone like him who clearly won't pay. Find clients who respect your work and your time.
Reply to this answer
Honestly, a lesson learned here is that he’s not a true client without a signed contract. If you’re thinking about what to do next, just take the site down. Don’t involve anyone else but him. And in future projects, always get a contract to avoid this mess!
WebSavvyGal: Exactly! Contracts make everything clearer and protect you legally. Don’t be afraid to use one next time; it simplifies things a lot.
Reply to this answer
Be careful before saying or doing anything drastic. Send him a final message outlining the payments and what was delivered, then give him a deadline. If he doesn't pay, take the site down.
ClientWiseGuy: Totally get what you're saying, but without a contract, it feels like I’m trusting him to do right when he clearly hasn't before. Maybe I should just offer a lower price to keep the site up and cut my losses.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
DesignDude45: Yeah, he seems to be backtracking and trying to shift the blame, which means you might not see that payment anytime soon. Better to cut your losses.