Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Clients stealing my work!! HELP!
Shrug
07-20-2006, 09:24 PM
When I am designing a site, is there a way to put in some kind of back door page or script which would allow me to delete the site even if my client changes thier ftp password? I have had several people do this in order to avoid trying to pya the balance of thier contracts. I get a deposit, finish the site, and then bam, they lock me out of ftp.
My only recourse after that is to take my contracts and sue them in small claims court. That wastes a lot of time and effort.
It would be great if I could just go in and disable the whole site from a hidden page until they pay.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
ray326
07-20-2006, 11:39 PM
Although that seems an honest reaction to their dishonesty, in the US it would probably be considered a felony.
Compguy Pete
07-20-2006, 11:59 PM
1. the site isn't "live" or uploaded until the bill is paid. If they need net 30 give them a date that the site will be done and submit the bill early if needed to match the launch date with there billing procress.
2. Nothing wrong with a coming soon page... The site while in testing and development is done on a domain I own.
3. If I can at all help it I either have some sort of control over the hosting or domain name. SHould I thought I could let rule number 1 slide and then get burnt. A reseller account is easy to get connected with and a nice bit of side money ontop of the site. If your not offering the hosting your leaving money on the table and I will be forced to not feel sorry for you.
Most clients won't stiff you, however there are a good number that will at least enough to make you reconsider how you do business. Remember take the highground where you can and some of the items I've listed above will keep you on the up and up. Because if you were to do something "dirty" it could have a major negitive stain on your future business.
Shrug
07-21-2006, 01:01 AM
Although that seems an honest reaction to their dishonesty, in the US it would probably be considered a felony.
It is a felony, on thier part. It is called larceny. Same as if you walked on to a car lot and drove off with a car without paying for it.
My contract gives me the right to remove the site for non-payment.
rawkman
07-24-2006, 02:41 PM
I wouldn't release the code or site until the final bill is paid. That's what I do now after having been burned a couple times.
I put this in the contract and tell the client up front that I get 50% up front, the remaining 50% on completion, they get no source files and the site is not live until it's paid in full.
LiLcRaZyFuZzY
07-24-2006, 02:49 PM
incredible, i didn't know that people were this dishonest, for now i have only had good experiences, even with clients that i never and will never meet (they live on other continents)..all went fine?
Anyway, you really should put all the stuff on your server while you're not payed, or as pete said manage their hosting as well
JPnyc
07-24-2006, 02:51 PM
I do the same. The site stays on my server until final approval and payment. Then I give them the files or upload them to their site for them, whichever they choose.
Brollachan
07-25-2006, 05:13 AM
Same as above, whilst developing I keep all work on my server and don't give them access. As I tend to use PHP when coding if they wish to 'lift' the content from the website they can but there will be quite a bit of code they'll miss. Whilst I'd like to upload a 'work-in-progress' version to the end site unfortunately as this thread shows there are too many dishonest people who are more than happy to rip people off.
a.g.r.c
07-27-2006, 11:29 PM
i have no such access to servers and the rest, but what springs to mind, is to record your screen with camtasia or something while you work your way around the site. Show them it in a movie format and when you have been paid....put it live.
the web is full of cons.
Alistair Rossini
sameer.net.in
07-28-2006, 02:06 AM
better use approach similar to me,
take 25% advance,
complete work and upload to your server,
show him on your server and get another 50%
then, do the finishing up and testing
get the site fully functional on your server
take remaining 25%
and then upload and install on client's server.
totally safe approach.
FireCracker37
07-28-2006, 04:15 PM
I will install the "site" wihtout getting paid upfront, but I never upload the .php files until I have recieved payment. Nothing worse that having a dynamic site, and not having it function.
I also require a 200 escrow before I will even start developing, unless it is purly concept work to show them I can do what they want.
KRILEE
08-17-2006, 04:45 AM
i would seek legal counsel.
pcthug
08-17-2006, 05:05 AM
On the subject; Say your doing plain HTML/CSS work, how do you prevent your client from stealing the final code but still show them that it's fully functional (something a .PSD can't do)?
You could use absolute links in the <head> CSS link tags; the stylesheets being on a separate server. If, by the billing deadline, they have paid, then you could move these to their server. If, by the billing deadline, they've not paid, then move the stylesheets to another folder on your server. The links will break, and the styles disappear. All that's left is the text, which is probably theirs to begin with. And, you'll still have the styles to use for other clients, if desired.
KDLA
FireCracker37
08-17-2006, 11:18 AM
I put it in the contract...If you don't pay me, then I will delete your site, if I see you plagerize my work, I will tell my lawyer, and he isn't a very nice guy.
However, I use much nicer sounding words :)
Nothing is realised until 50% complete.
I put the website on my server and password protect it (if the client wants). This way they can come to the site any time they want and see how it's progressing. Once full payment is recieved then I upload all the files to their webspace and release passwords, etc.
RDFrame
08-17-2006, 04:45 PM
Well, depends on what kind of contract you have signed with them. If it's a legit contract (might want to get a lawyer to review it), then just forward the details to a collection agency. You have to have a legit contract signed between you and your client, and must have full proof that the owe you. I think it's only worthwhile if they owe you over $1500 or so though, but not really sure.
Then the collection agency will do its thing, and get your money for you. They take a 15% cut or something like that, but hey, it's better than nothing. :)
Let's be careful of discussing pricing and/or fees here (as well as legal advice): things vary from country to country, and this is an international forum.
KDLA
FireCracker37
08-17-2006, 07:28 PM
I like the idea of keeping it pw protected on my server. So far I have been keeping things on my server, but no pw, and just yesterday I had a client who hasn't paid sending people to my site to view theirs, and they will filling in the "request a quote form", little does he know that I have it set to send to my e-mail currently.
Waylander
08-17-2006, 08:37 PM
On the subject; Say your doing plain HTML/CSS work, how do you prevent your client from stealing the final code but still show them that it's fully functional (something a .PSD can't do)?
Charging up front is pretty much the only thing that saves against this. If its not server side its pretty much transparent.
Work local, charge 50 percent up front, upload half of the site so they can see it all working, then get the rest of the money before you put the rest up either live or on your own server.
That way they never see anything they havent already paid for.
Waylander.