Vent: Lost a whole day's pay because I didn't ask for a deposit upfront

I had a call with a potential client last Tuesday about a small website update job. We agreed on a flat rate of $300 and a two-day turnaround. I was feeling good about the quick win and just sent over the contract. They signed it, so I jumped right in and got the work done that same afternoon. The next morning, I sent the finished work and the invoice. Radio silence. I followed up after three days, and they said their budget had 'shifted' and they couldn't pay right now. It's been over a week, and I'm out that $300 and the four hours I spent. In my experience, a simple 50% deposit before starting work would have at least covered my time. Now I'm stuck with work I can't even use for my portfolio because it's for their specific brand. Has anyone else had a client ghost after delivery, and what's your rule for deposits on smaller jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

rosepark12d ago

That contract is a paper shield if you don't enforce it. Their budget "shifted" is a them problem, not a you problem. Have you sent a formal demand letter citing the signed agreement? Sometimes that legal language on your letterhead is the only thing that gets money moving.

david_palmer12d ago

They signed a contract and still ghosted you? That's wild.

kai83912d ago

But what's the actual penalty in the contract for backing out? A lot of these agreements have weak clauses that make it easy to walk away. If there's no real cost to them, they'll just ignore you.