PSA: My friend told me to get a deposit from a new client in Denver, and I'm glad I did. | Client Nightmares - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals

Kai Foster · 2026-04-12T08:25:07.694578+00:00

He said, 'Get half up front, no matter what they promise.' The client agreed, then ghosted me after I sent the first draft. I only lost my time, not the full $1200. Has anyone else had a client vanish right after getting started?

the_mary5mo ago

Oh yeah, that's the only way to do it. I make them pay half before I even pick up the clippers.

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kimr915mo ago

Absolutely the smart move. That deposit saved you from a total loss. People can be so flaky sometimes.

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the_cameron5mo ago

Always get that deposit, no question. It protects you from exactly this kind of ghosting. I learned the hard way a few years back and lost a full payment. Now it's my number one rule before any work starts. It just filters out the bad clients right away. Saves you so much stress and wasted time.

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