Holy shit, I got online when I woke up and my icq lit up like a christmas tree, all messages with links pointing to this thread, I had some real catching up to do.. I don't know where to start so I'll just say whatever comes first to my mind.
SeeSea was right, I did design CSG site mentioned above (btw fletch I've sent you a few messages a while back none answered), and a few other sites Brad mentioned.
There are 2 sides to every story, and since I (talk about luck) was somehow inside several of them, I don't know who to believe anymore.
When I got into the design biz (I was pretty bad I admit, but did learn quickly), Paul (Hungryman) was the first to offer me help and guidance. Pensfan/bucknaked was his partner (and if I connected the dots right, he had a bigger role and %, but I AM NOT SURE) back then and I started working for them (I can't really remember whether it was still Graffixalley or already paysitedesign). I did a few sites, got paid a part of the work and then they split up. As Pens was working for adult.com I continue to work with HM.
Anyway, I was owed by Pens/Duane about $3.000, which he paid in smaller parts every now and then almost in full, we're at less than 400bucks and I do believe that I will get paid. I'm only wondering WHEN, because his own "slow payer" statement does apply. It took him over a year now to send me my $2600part, but he pays.
I didn't want to reply to the big HUNGRYMAN thread by amp because I knew that (since english isn't my first language) some of the numerous gfy asskissers will wind a spot in my post where I used a wrong word to express myself and turn my whole post against Paul. HM is cool to talk to on icq, his suggestions helped me a great deal, and he paid me for EVERYTHING I made for paysitedesign.com. OK, now I'm owed an amount but it's only for the latest project so it's not a big deal, in a few days I'll get paid.
One other thing - he knows what he wants to achieve and knows to point it out, so those "he's just a fake designer" remarks do not apply. He understands web design etc, but works like a broker. On the other hand, 50% may sound like a ripoff, but you guys cannot imagine how hard it is to get work (if you charge over $250 per paysite lol) on the boards when you're not known. In my country (when I was starting out) there were no cc's (I couldn't get a domain or hosting) and simply the location field in my profile would instantly make you think "where the fuck is that?" and decide to get away. So I was happy with 500 bucks I get. I don't know how he talked with the clients (did they have the impression that he was doing the work or us, his designers), but often when I got forwarded instructions from the client, they were like "tell him to change this or that", so I guess that they knew.
Traci is a completely different story from my point of view. She was all ok while I worked, and 2 days after the payday she used western union (I'm in yugoslavia so it's either that or wire) to get me paid. I am not owed alot, a bit over 300bucks but I don't wanna let go
. Anyway, I went to the WU office and filled out the form with the info she gave me (I PRINTED it out and just filled in the form with my pen, no way I made a single mistake.). The clerk comes back after a while and shreads the form I filled into pieces.. "The transfer has been cancelled." was the explanation. I went home and catch traci on icq, she told me that it got through, and that WU in my country is keeping the money. I called the WU reps later and I was told that the money tranfer control number she gave me DOES exist, but isn't related to either mine or her name. Since then she wasn't answering either on icq or email, and I've been talking to her over pensfan.
Instead of writing it all, I'll drop some quotes from our icq history:
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Pensfan - dude she already paid you, it's not her fault you fucked up when you went to pick it up...
Nemanya - WHAT??? I was told it was cancelled! try the "order status page" on wu site, I will give you the mtcn right now. whenever you or paul sent the cash it said not picked up yet or picked up by the receiver. when she sent me - screwup by me? yeah right. status page gets me a screwup message. not my fault, nooo way on blaming this on me.
Pensfan - she said when you went to pick it up that you gave them the wrong info and they held it and it could be up to 60 days...
Nemanya - #XXXXXXXXXX (mtcn) check it out with traci carson name.. wrong info my ass, I PRINTED OUT what she gave me. and when I input data by hand, I go fuckin letter-by-letter, there's absolutely no way I made a mistake.
Nemanya - By the way, one time your wife or you sent the money with "NEMANJA HANSON" (replaced receivers last name with senders) as the receiver, and they still approved the transaction. a small mistake like tracy instead of traci would have been ignored too.
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Etc..
I think that's more than enough for now, I may have missed something somewhere but I hope it sounded like I wanted it to sound