Designers payments terms?
 

OK, I've used Quashe as my designer for many many years now. This is my first time in a while using another designer and he wants 100% money up front for orders under $500... Am I the only one who assumes I'd get ripped off?

What is standard?

Quashe just bills me monthly so, shrug...

Sounds a bit strange... If he has a site with a respectable portfolio, and a reputation, you should be ok... If it's one of these guys with links up on some geocities freehost I would walk away now :)

it's not in my blood to take a sucker bet, so this guy will not get my business unless he comes up with something more reasonable like 50/50

50/50 works...100% they can suck my nut

unless its machinegunkelly, then atleast i can trust homeboy

it is kelly im talking about

We will help you out with net 15 terms.

we don't require deposit - only payment after the job is completed

nevermind, kelly says that was his old policy new policy is 50/50

50/50 is more than fair and after 5 jobs when trust is built up I would pay them %100

ya, definatly do the 50/50 payment thing. :thumbsup

I've dealt with Kelly before.

Highly recommend him.

50% 50% is fair. We have offered up to net 30 terms after design was completed to clients which we do steady work with. We have no need for quick cash.

yea i'd trust kelly with 100%, but no one else honestly

kelly has done over 12 designs for us. i have no problem paying him up front. he is an awesome designer.

some other designers just ask for upon completion. or 50/50

I always take payment when the client has something to see and like it .. I can't see someone taking 100% of the money down. But I know almost all my clients very well so that helps...

I've talked with Kman now about all this and we're good to go
, but I wanted to correct this post .

Actually , My policy is 100% payment upfront on all orders under $750 .
If I know you , or of you enough that I think I will be able to get my payment I let this slide for some clients and accept 50% upfront .

Fact is alot of people are fuckin deadbeats that go out and hire 10 designers that will work before being paid and then pick the design you like best and burn the rest .

Over the last five years I have been burnt numerous times on remaining deposit and the usual response is " oh , I forgot " or whatever .. but they wouldn't have forgotten had I not delivered anything .

The last two months alone I have been ripped off for these amounts :
1200 USD ( GFY challenge ) ( AWstuff John ran away with $$ )
$250 Toon Logo design ( client told me , " what am I gonna do ? sue him " )
$50 misc graphics for a sponsor . ( checks have been sent but keep getting stolen by the mail gremlins )
$100 logo design ( hey man you online ? .......... x45 )


All of those are works that were approved and the client was very happy with , yet no payment for my time .

I'm just covering my ass here , I deal with a lot of people that I don't have a clue who they are and I've learned that humans as a whole can't be trusted .

Most of the time my 100% payment is still less than your 50% deposit would be anyways .....

Humans suck.

Oh , 1 more thing ..
To all the designers that stated they work before recieving any payment .... remember this thread when you've finally had enough of the bullshit .

I used to chime in about how " I'll work for you with no $$ upfront " in threads like these too .. Years later I know different .

I didn't just set up shop last week , I've been doing this for years now and I've just about run into everything that can and will go wrong .

And I aint shitting you about Clients that pick 10 design co's and only pay the design who's project they will use .. that aint the way it works folks .

Respected companies often require 100% up front...but so do scam artists :)


We now do 100% up front. Our clients know that they will get quality and we have a good rep and thus most our clients are word of mouth...they have no problem with it.


Basically i'd say if you hear about them from other people who have a good experience then you're good to go. If not, request 50/50 system. Either way though you're putting money on the line so i'd say just go for someone who gets good recomendations...may i suggest www.bluewirestudio.com? :winkwink:

:1orglaugh 100%

That really sucks, I do 50 upfront and 50 when done on video stuff and they have to speak to me on the phone. If they have been doing business with me for a while then its when im done.

You won't get ripped off, but sometimes they want the whole money before.. who know why :D

Just leeches trying to pick up crumbs. Don't worry about them. Any client that can't pay at least 50% before completion isn't worth it unless they have a history of paying or monthly work.

Kelly,

Sorry to hear about your accounting issues. We have never in all these years asked for payment upfront and seem to do just fine. Have had to chase down a couple of "slow payers" but overall it's been just fine.

No payment upfront, but when the project is done, Payment is expected asap. With the amount of designs / projects that we do - it's seems ok.

thanks

Todd

i never request 100% upfront. I want people to feel safe with me and make sure they are happy with the results. I would only give 50% or drop him/her

Sucks that Quashe left huh :(

We are willing to roll the dice. If we get burned we will make sure everyone knows about it. Then we will sell the design that we did. We are not in need of fast cash, so it will not hurt us to hold on to a design. We have had people try and scam us before, but if they do they are burning a bridge for a petty amount of money.

I don't mind paying upfront if I get a valid invoice with their address on etc.

first off, any designer taking money from people in small shit hole places without asking for desposit is asking to get ripped off.

the one thing that bothers me about these threads is how the client thinks they are the only ones who should be protected.

kman - ive been ripped off by so many clients over the years - i wouldnt even take a job from you without money up front. stop thinking you are the only one looking out for yourself and understand others do the same.

i always asked %50 and it was because of people like this who dont want to pay for the work, get you to do design, they ask for changes and edits - then want to run off without paying.

these threads are funny

Even among non-adult clients, I've had well-established companies dick around for 6 months before finally paying.

"Our accounting department only sends out checks the first Monday of the month..."

Three months later...
"Oh, the invoice got misplaced."

Two months later...
"We'll cut that right away."

Once month later...
Pay day.

People suck.

The only time I will ask for the money up front is if it's a customer I don't know at all, and a large order... Otherwise half up front is fine generally... Sounds like either this guy doesn't know/trust you, maybe badly needs the money, or is a con artist.

We do 100% for all projects under 1000, as it's just too much effort to collect small payments, it just takes time and resources.

i think 50/50 is fair..
there's assurance for both parties...
designers also get clients who run from them..
they just want to make sure like you.. ;)