You payed someone to do work for you and they bail. Now what?
A friend of mine just sent me a sad message, but one I've seen frequently.
My friend has payed someone to record some songs for them upfront, and got one, and then Mr Studio Producer went MIA. Phone number changes, stopped responding to e-mails and messages.
I've seen this happen to people who payed for wedding photos (you're a fucking prick if you screw with someone's wedding), music videos, etc. It happens across the board. How do you deal with?
I'd love to hear your opinions but here's my thoughts.
We'll start nice and move towards scorched earth status.
Let's say someone owes you new mixes and they missed the agreed upon time frame. Sometimes shit happens. If they're in communication and especially if they let you know in advance, I tend to be pretty forgiving. If you have deadlines for pressing - you gotta make sure they know.
If the person doesn't let you know in advance, start asking for the price to be knocked off. Its up to you to force that, but it will let them know delays and missed deadlines will hurt their wallet. Stress communication.
Let's say they just start disappearing. No response, or its been two weeks of "I'll get it to you" with no results. At this point I'd recommend the following:
E-mail, txt, facebook, and call them and let them know if you don't get your services by such and such date you'll:
Put them on blast on facebook, twitter, tag friends, ask others for similar stories - chances are they've done this before
Two things will most likely happen
1 - They'll meet your deadline and play the victim, turning it around on you
2 - You won't get it and you should totally burn them.
People need to know its not OK to do this.
Just know you'll burn that bridge - but it's worth it in my view.
And lastly...there is always small claims court. Probably not to effective but it can send a wake up call.