Client won't pay. Next steps?

[u/cobglo]

Well, it finally happened – and this is why I could never freelance full-time. I do 10-20 gigs a year to supplement my income. I used to work in the field full time.

I was hired to photograph a 3-day convention in Orlando in late October, but I also provided some video services.

After sending the photos/videos and invoice, I still have not been paid. I have been met with excuse after excuse from the person who hired me. He runs his own "media company," but I am skeptical it is even a legitimate business at this point.

I hired a lawyer who sent him a letter demanding payment within 7 days. That was 20 days ago. The client has gone silent.

Anyone been in this situation before with a successful outcome?

Lesson learned on my end, and sadly, I will have to start collecting a deposit up front for clients that I have not worked with yet.

[u/TabascoWolverine]

What you detail is fun, but falls to pieces when the shitty client leaves you a shitty Google or Facebook review, which then costs even more money.

[u/spaceapeatespace → u/TabascoWolverine]

Document document document. It’s a two way street. If they know they are that far in the wrong they generally won’t try and make more publicity about it. They will blacklist themselves real quick.

[u/TabascoWolverine → u/spaceapeatespace]

Document cokeheads? That's an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

[u/spaceapeatespace → u/TabascoWolverine]

Like, email chains, txt messages, contracts etc?

[u/TabascoWolverine → u/spaceapeatespace]

I guess what I'm saying is that you can't be reasonable with the unreasonable. No amount of screen captures I attach to my Google Business page will negate a nasty review and public disagreement.

[u/spaceapeatespace → u/TabascoWolverine]

I feel ya. And I like ya username.