I need some advice here.

Towards the end of December I had hired a designer to design me a 1 page template for my site. He stated the design would cost me $250 and half of the payment must be paid before he does any work. I complied and sent a check in the amount of $125 dollars to him. I sent the first check sometime on the first or second of Jan. and he said he was working on the template. Between the 1st of Jan and the 11th of Jan. he had stated he would show me a "mockup" of the design and never did. Everynight he said he would email me within 10 minutes and never did. On the 9th of Jan. (8-9 days) after sending the initial payment I recieved it back stating "Unknown Address". I spoke to him on AOL Instant Messenger and promised to have another check sent out.

Between the 11th of Jan and today he has promised to show me a mockup of the design 10-15 times (I have ALL the logs/emails of the conversations we had) and never did. Always stating that "he's almost done" or "I'm at work".

Today was the last draw. Earlier today he stated that he was at work (This was around 6) and said he would have the completed design (Without Flash) to present to me tonite around 9:00. It is 10:00PM and he hasn't shown. Now, normally I would believe he got caught up, but after him lieing to me 10-15 times I don't believe him.

Here is what we talked about today:

I've changed the screen names to hide his and my name.

Begin IM - 1/20/2003 06:27 PM
Me[6:27 PM]: Hey
The Designer [6:27 PM]: hi
Me[6:27 PM]: anthing to show me?
The Designer [6:28 PM]: i am at work now .. lemme get bac ..yep I have everythign up expect flash
Me[6:28 PM]: ok i want to see something by tonite
The Designer [6:28 PM]: sure ..
Me[6:28 PM]: otherwise, we will have problems
Me[6:28 PM]: no more delays
The Designer [6:28 PM]: np
Me[6:28 PM]: when will u be bale
Me[6:28 PM]: to show me everything "except flash"
Me[6:28 PM]: ?
The Designer [6:29 PM]: its 6:30 pm
The Designer [6:29 PM]: say 9 pm
Me[6:29 PM]: ok good
Me[6:29 PM]: 9..9:30 tonite
Me[6:29 PM]: talk to u than
End IM - 1/20/2003 06:29 PM

I've called the bank and placed a stop on the check (He hasn't cashed it yet) and that required a $30 dollar charge.

I know I should have just fired him the first time he lied, but I didn't. I am the customer, not him. Why am I Waiting on HIM? A 1 page template shouldn't take 5 wks.. should take a few days.

Does he Deserve the second half of the payment and if so, should I at least substract $30 dollars for the charge to place the check on hold?

I'm upset because HE has wasted my time.

Once I get the design, I will make sure everyone knows what bad customer service skills he has.

What should I do?

why not get someone else to design the site.. if you canceled the check that means you didnt lose money.. or did i miss something?

Yea.. I might as well because on the 4th of Jan. he stated it would take only 3-4 days. Therefore, I think I am just going to let him go and buy one of those hosting template that I see for cheap (like $50 bucks) or so.

or, have a professional company do it... i knw some really good ones :)

Well I dont want to invest more than $200 on the design (1 page template and sub-page).

Please let me know who you recommend

Yep, thats pretty slow.. When I say im going to have a design ready, I have it ready :D its not bragging, its just that I hate it when designers say they need 3 - 4 days and end up spending 2 - 3 weeks on it, then it turns out, it looks like they spend 2-3 days on it.

Let'em go, the designer doesn't deserve to have a customer with your paitence :).. Let him go to one of those companies who don't get the design when he say hes going to be done, they'll hurt his feelings for sure, plus leave'em broke :stickout:

Originally posted by VeroHost
Well I dont want to invest more than $200 on the design (1 page template and sub-page).

Please let me know who you recommend

You should have insisted on a contract before you sent him money. I require all my clients to sign them and I make it clear that it's for their protection as well as my own.
A good contract should spell out what you're paying for, how much you're paying, when you are paying and who owns the files when it's finished. It should also specify dates or time frames for the work flow. (x days after approval of draft, etc.) Copyrights must be transferred in writing under US laws and probably the same for other countries.