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The week my biggest client ghosted me right before a big payment
It was last month, a Tuesday. I had just finished a huge website project for a client in Austin, about 40 hours of work. We were set for final review and a $2,500 payment. I sent the final link and... nothing. No reply for two days. Then a week. I called, emailed, even sent a polite text. Radio silence. My rent was due and I'd counted on that money. I spent the whole week stressed, checking my phone every five minutes and sending out pitches like crazy. What made it stand out was how normal everything seemed until that moment. We had a great chat the Friday before. I learned you can't rely on one client, no matter how good they seem. Has anyone else had a client just vanish like that? How long do you wait before you assume the money is gone?
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logan52510d ago
Man that's brutal, been there. I started sending a link that expires after 30 days for the final work. It creates some urgency. Also, a 50% deposit before you even start the project is a lifesaver, it filters out the flaky people. I wait about two weeks of silence before I send a final notice and then just move on. Chasing them forever just eats up more of your time.
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aaronsullivan10d ago
Totally feel that, deposits are a game changer.
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jamieb8010d ago
Yeah, that's a gut punch for sure. I had a guy in Tampa ghost me over a $1800 invoice after I did a full bathroom demo. @logan525 is totally right about the deposit, it changes the whole game. I mean, after a week of nothing I'll send one more invoice marked "Final Notice" and then I just write it off. Chasing them feels worse than just losing the money, idk. It's like they just vanish into thin air.
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