I got shafted and here is how it all went down…
**
Below are our conversations, truncated for easy reading and finding the important bits.
First conversation was initiated by Instant Message:**
Fri Dec 08 20:01:26 2006
SaintMonsef: Hello.
HiredGuy: hi
…
HiredGuy: ok… what kind of content is it that you’re trying to port to vB?
SaintMonsef: Need to tie my member database to that of vB. I want to use my login and registration forms… just need vB for the forums.
HiredGuy: so you want me to write you a bridge
SaintMonsef: 1) A script that will register a user in the vb DB on the fly
2) A script to log in the user
3) A script to keep the vb user’s session live when they are on the CL system and vice-versa
4) A script to change the vb user’s passwd
…
HiredGuy: its about a weeks worth of work
SaintMonsef: And how fast could it be done?
HiredGuy: about a week
SaintMonsef: and how much?
HiredGuy: about 1000 USD.
SaintMonsef: ouch
…
SaintMonsef: well I have to find a forum solution ASAP… this has gone on too long already and I’m leaving the country in 2 weeks for 3 weeks and I have to have CL running.
…
SaintMonsef: I’ll have to contact you tomorrow night. I have to head out now. Thanks for your time.
HiredGuy: good night and good luck 
SaintMonsef: Thanks.
**Sat Dec 09 18:17:40 2006 **
SaintMonsef: Hello HiredGuy.
HiredGuy: hi
HiredGuy: whats up?
SaintMonsef: Just wanted to chat with you a bit more about the vB bridge scripts.
HiredGuy: ok… you have questions about it?
SaintMonsef: Well about you doing it for me.
SaintMonsef: You said it would take a week to do. If we decide to move forward, are you able to get it done by next weekend?
SaintMonsef: Would you just be writing some PHP code that does what it needs to do to update the vb database?
SaintMonsef: Is there any way to get it done sooner? I’ve needed this up weeks ago, and I’m leaving the country for 3 weeks in 2 weeks, so I would rather have it all working and tested before I leave.
HiredGuy: yes, i can have it working by next weekend
HiredGuy: yes, its just PHP code in a separate file (much easier) that will create the user in vBulletin
SaintMonsef: Would you consider a lowered payment of the forum for link credit?
HiredGuy: no thanks… i’m popular as it is
HiredGuy: but as a courtesy, i’ll lower my fee to $1200 as its the holidays
SaintMonsef: … the first time you said $1,000…
HiredGuy: oh
HiredGuy: then i’ll offer you $899. december is a slow month for everyone
SaintMonsef: Yeah, and as of today I’ve made nothing from colourlovers compared to what I’ve dumped into it. I appreciate the discount. Well if we do %50 up front and %50 on the back-end are you ok with that?
HiredGuy: I do that as a standard on contracts above $5,000.00, but not typically for small ones.
HiredGuy: i had to do that with everyone before i got my reputation for being honest
SaintMonsef: I do it so as to make the coder accountable and myself accountable… makes it an even field.
…
HiredGuy: and i’m an established honest company and i no longer have the need or desire to do that on small jobs
…
HiredGuy: we require 100% up front on all contracts under $5,000.00 USD
SaintMonsef: Ok, I wasn’t clear what you were saying at first.
HiredGuy: we normally take BIG jobs… like developing custom modules… some of our tickets average $10,000 USD on up. but we do the small ones too during slow periods
HiredGuy: like upgrades, installs, server admin
HiredGuy: security, etc
SaintMonsef: I’m okay with that, but I can’t afford to wait until the check reaches you to have you get started… so if we agree to move forward and I put a check in the mail priority on Mon. Can you get started ASAP?
HiredGuy: lol we dont take checks either
HiredGuy: we take Visa, MC, Amex, and Discover, and i will need to sp eak with you on the phone
SaintMonsef: Ahhh. Ok that is cool with me too.
SaintMonsef: I thought I was going to have to pay you in cash there for a second.
HiredGuy: no
HiredGuy: i’m a REAL Business and real businesses have merchant accounts, not paypal
HiredGuy: and for your own protection i wouldn’t pay anyone with paypal
HiredGuy: call me
HiredGuy: 555-555-5555
We had a phone conversation where I provided him my contact details and credit card information. We covered what we did above, price, timeline and what he would be building.
HiredGuy: did you get my email?
SaintMonsef: received thanks.
HiredGuy: ok good
SaintMonsef: Email replied… please respond with your acknowledgment.
HiredGuy: ok
HiredGuy: got it
SaintMonsef: Any issues with that email?
HiredGuy: nope
HiredGuy: i got it
SaintMonsef: could you please respond for my records.
HiredGuy: i will in a minute… im writing another email currently
SaintMonsef: no problem.
HiredGuy: there
]SaintMonsef: yes.
SaintMonsef: thanks.
This was the email mentioned above I sent to HiredGuy outlining the project:
From: Darius A Monsef IV
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 7:06 PM
To: 'HiredGuy’
Subject: RE: vB Scripts for COLOURlovers
HiredGuy,
What I am expecting is the ability to tie my custom PHP & mySQL site to a vBulletin Forum. What you will be providing to make this happen is:
- A script that will register a user in the vb DB on the fly
- A script to log in the user
- A script to keep the vb user’s session live when they are on the CL system and vice-versa
- A script to change the vb user’s password
Those exact scripts are not required for completion, but what they accomplish is.
You’re agreeing to have this completed by next weekend, Saturday December 16 2006.
I will be providing you with access to Plesk and any other login information required to write the code.
Please acknowledge.
Cheers,
-Darius
His reply and acceptance
From: HiredGuy [mailto:HiredGuy@mail]
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 7:36 PM
To: Darius A Monsef IV
Subject:
thanks… sounds good
HiredGuy
*Dec 10 I provided him access to the files he needed access to on COLOURlovers to do the work… At that point he had all he needed to do the work. I tried following up with him as we approached the deadline with little luck. **
Note HiredGuy never initiated an contact for updating, I have been chasing him.
**Tue Dec 12 19:32:26 2006 **
SaintMonsef: Hello HiredGuy, I wanted to check in and make sure you have what you need to complete the vB bridge by this weekend.
No Response
Wed Dec 13 21:51:35 2006
SaintMonsef: Hello HiredGuy. Can I get a status update from you?
HiredGuy: still plugging away
Sat Dec 16 21:34:09 2006
SaintMonsef: Hey HiredGuy, how is the Forum hook-up looking?
HiredGuy: i just upgraded my computer to Windows Vista Enterprise
HiredGuy: my dreamweaver wont work, so now i have to go back to XP for a while
HiredGuy: but its coming
SaintMonsef: So what are we looking at time-wise?
HiredGuy: i’ll let you know when i get XP installed again
**Mon Dec 18 21:33:51 2006 **
SaintMonsef: Hello HiredGuy. We are past the weekend and I would like to get an update on the Forum Bridge Code
No Response
Email
From: Darius A Monsef IV
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:11 AM
To: ‘HiredGuy’
Subject: RE:
HiredGuy.
We are 3 days past deadline and I have not heard from you. Please give me an update ASAP.
Darius A Monsef IV
Editor & Creator
www.COLOURlovers.com
Thu Dec 21 17:41:52 2006
SaintMonsef: HiredGuy.
HiredGuy: HiredGuy will be back in about one hour.
SaintMonsef: I won’t and we need to talk.
SaintMonsef: Have HiredGuy email me with an update to the COLOURlovers forum bridge. I am out of the country, but he is almost 1 week late delivery the product I already paid for. I trusted his professionalism by paying the full price for the project up front, and I expect that same professionalism in delivering the product. I expect a communication from him with the finished product within the next few days.
Fri Dec 22 16:41:47 2006
SaintMonsef: HiredGuy.
SaintMonsef: I’m not sure how else to proceed with you. I have tried contacting you several times during the last week and have received no communication from you. You are now 1 week late on delivering my project and unless I receive the completed files in the next few days I will be left with nothing but to have my attorney contact you. This is not meant as a threat, simply my last resort as I have not heard from you.
Email
From: Darius A Monsef IV
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 6:03 PM
To: ‘HiredGuy@mail’
Subject: COLOURlovers Bridge… Where are you?!
HiredGuy,
Your handling of my project has been ridiculously unprofessional. I have tried several dozen times to reach you for an update and have received no response. You are now way past the deadline for completion and nothing has been delivered.
Ether provide me with the completed bridge or refund my money.
Your response is expected immediately.
-Darius
FINALLY A RESPONSE:
From: HiredGuy [mailto:HiredGuy@mail]
Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 1:30 PM
To: Darius A Monsef IV
Subject: Re:
I’ve been driving half way across the country for days so I can be with my family. I get here and find myself bombarded with emails, phone calls, IM’s, etc. from you, and for what?? because I haven’t been at your service within 10 seconds notice every time?
Let me explain to you how I do business: First, I don’t do business during the Christmas holidays. Some of us actually put our work aside to be with our families this time of year. Second, I don’t respond to threats. If you’d like, forward me the name and contact information of your attorney, so I can have my attornies contact yours. Third, my ETA’s are estimates, as they are with any professional development agency. Nobody can promise a for-sure delivery date for a software project. Anyone who does is a real amateur. Fourth, my time for corresponding outside the scope of development with nagging clients is billable at the rate of $150 per hour, billed in 5 minute increments.
With that said, I will continue my work on your project after the holidays. You will receive it when its completed, tested and ready for production use.
Have a great holiday,
HiredGuy
MY LAST RESPONSE
From: Darius A Monsef IV
Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:16 PM
To: 'HiredGuy’
Subject: RE:
HiredGuy,
As a developer I know all to well what a nagging client is… I never wanted to be one, nor thought of my requests for a response from you as one. We had discussed a delivery date and you accepted. That date came and went without any communication from you. My number of messages to you was simply an attempt to reach you in any way I could. All I was asking for was a reply.
I understand about not working during the holidays, but your production time for my project was 1 week and that would have put the product in my hand well before the holidays. Also, I know all to well about some flexibility in delivery dates. When a project is going to take a month to deliver a week leeway is somewhat expected. Taking 3 weeks to deliver a project you quoted at taking only 7 days to complete is a bit outside of the norm, and warrants a communication with the client.
Resorting to the use of an attorney was not a threat; it was simply what I felt I would need to do if I had not heard from you. It was the result of several emails, dozens of IM’s and several phone calls and no response.
I will ask you again… What is the status of my project? What is the estimated date of delivery? I made it clear I was on a deadline before you began, so I appreciate your expediency in delivering the project.
All business chatter aside, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
-Darius
