Freelancer failed to deliver

U

Ulysses27

Member
Hey all, I just need some advice on a situation ere. I paid a guy $350 to do some shooting on a climb in the Washington Cascades. He went, but says the footage is no good and that because of rain he didn't want to shoot in those conditions.

I think, no footage, give me my money back. Shouldn't he have been prepared for some rain in the mountains? But he did spend money to get out there, get a permit etc. So maybe he has a right to something.

How should I handle this? We had no contract. Please don't browbeat me about that. I know, I know. But we're kinda in the same community here and the job seemed pretty simple.

Thanks!
 
You just paid a visit to the really expensive class called what you won't do next time.

You won't pay anyone fully up front for anything.
You'll get everything including the deliverables written into a contract and signed.
You'll outline what penalties are agreed to for failure to deliver and that in the case of a dispute you will both agree to binding arbitration.

Now move on.
 
Agreed. You need a written contract for anything to protect yourself and your freelance contractors. It's just how business works, even among friends.

But hopefully you two can work something out.
 
Well as a freelancer I would give the money back since im assuming he promised to deliver. He should give it back in case you need him again!

You made the biggest mistake paying him all up front, especially if you have never used him before. When I do jobs I ask what budget they are looking at and I work within that, I usually take 1/3 of the cost upfront and then the rest in installments or when the final product is delivered.
 
When invited to never hire a guy again, simply don't. Sounds like you learned not to pay for a fella's vacation. Lesson learned. Drive to his house and ask for your money. If he gives ya anything, consider it a bonus. Let him know yu know everybody in your market's industry and don't would hate to see that he get's no more work but you will if he steals this money from you. That's really all you can do.
 
I give back all cash if i don't deliver, and at times cause its a small town, I return money if i don't like someone or won't work again with them, just so no one holds me to anything. I write out contracts if ppl are hiring me, and i have to deliver, i like to be bound, so as not to discuss things again. It protects me from ppl changing their mind.

But in a town like beirut, (very very small), if I ask anyone to sign a contract its taken as a lack of trust. I never write contracts when i ask people for work to get done, no one will work with me here.

And for this, I understand that how because you two were in the same community kept you from formalizing things.

Man, i think Beirut is the single worst place i've ever worked in with people, i don't like it, simply because standard business practice like writing a contract is offensive culturally. I can't do things clear cut here, and am the town douchebag as a result.

So, for real, ALWAYS draft contracts. All the work i do with anyone abroad is drafted. It's usually much more fun and all the good stuff if things are clear cut before. The reason why I don't do much with people here, and also the reason that when i do, it's never any fun.

And don't work with friends. Or family. Bad news.
 
Don't ask... just hold out your hand when you go see him in person. He'll understand what ya mean.
 
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