I got scammed out $400

Discussion in 'General Business' started by Andy92, Jun 25, 2008.

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  1. #1
    Hey,

    I am going to need some help. At the moment, i am currently attending college, and in my spare time do design work.

    There is a person on Digital Point that goes by the name of mafrussian. We sorted out together that i was going to create 200 custom category images that were 700px wide by 96px high, for his website...

    http://www.retailwarhammer.com

    I then created the 200 images, and gave up nearly 3 days to do it. I have sent him the .jpg files, but not the .psd's. The agreement was that he would inspect them, and then pay me then i would send him the .psd files.

    So far, he has only emaild me back around a week ago saying that a few of them are the wrong sizes (which they are not). I have tried emailing him at 4 different email addresses, and i just cant get hold of him.

    I spoke to the live chat on their website a few days ago, and they said that they will pass the message on to him and email me back. Im just not getting a reply back.

    I have tried phoning their Us phoneline from the UK, but it went on to the answer phone. At the moment, i am feeling very annoyed, knowing that i gave up 3 days on my time for nothing. I need this $400, being a student and all, but i just cant seem to get hold of them.

    This company are located in tumwater in washington, and i really dont know what to do. Any suggestions?
     
    Andy92, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  2. wisdomtool

    wisdomtool Moderator Staff

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    #2
    How long have you been trying to contact him? Maybe give him a few more days, not everyone go online everyday. Also not everyone put their real phone number on the Internet.

    Do update us on the status and best of luck in recovering your payment.

     
    wisdomtool, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  3. Andy92

    Andy92 Active Member

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    #3
    The last time he contacted me was 7 days ago. They are a very professional store, and their phone number is right.

    I phoned it from the uk around 10 minutes ago, and no one answers, but it goes to the answer phone and it says welcome, you have got through to retail warhammer. So it is the right phone number. I will continue to phone later on.

    I really need this $400 though. I did all the work for it.
     
    Andy92, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  4. xXKingdom_SEOXx

    xXKingdom_SEOXx Peon

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    #4
    He's banned now, the best hope is that he does respond.
     
    xXKingdom_SEOXx, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  5. wisdomtool

    wisdomtool Moderator Staff

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    #5
    Oops that really does not augurs well for you. I guess you have to expedite your contacts, try to reach him asap to get your money back.

     
    wisdomtool, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  6. miikey

    miikey Peon

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    #6
    I dont have suggestions but they seem to be closing down their website?...thats a problem (stating the obvious)

    You should have asked for a down payment of $100. And should have only sent a quater of the images. And even added a water mark.
     
    miikey, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  7. Andy92

    Andy92 Active Member

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    #7
    I havent sent him $400, no i need $400 from him.

    I did design work for him and he hasnt yet paid me.
     
    Andy92, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  8. wisdomtool

    wisdomtool Moderator Staff

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    #8
    If 7 days have passed, I guess you need to be prepared to write off the money, sad as it seemed but such incidents are happening daily on the Internet. Next time do get a hefty deposit for eg 50%

     
    wisdomtool, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  9. seo4china

    seo4china Well-Known Member

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    #9
    That was a pretty bad and dumb payment term that you were offering. I hope this will serve you as a lesson in your online deals. Ask always for a downpayment or escrow before sending over any artwork.
     
    seo4china, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  10. Norebbo

    Norebbo Active Member

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    #10
    As others have already said, chalk this up as an expensive lesson about doing business online and move on. The fact that you posted on a very public (+high traffic) board is good - hopefully it'll be picked up by the search engines if someone is trying to find more info about that website/company.

    Always get 50% payment up front.
     
    Norebbo, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  11. cool_dude_991

    cool_dude_991 Banned

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    #11
    You should have opted for escrow
     
    cool_dude_991, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  12. TrevorJones

    TrevorJones Peon

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    #12
    I always say 'If you don't learn the hard way, you don't learn at all'

    Sorry to hear about this, trustworthy people are getting rarer.
     
    TrevorJones, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  13. carol.prime

    carol.prime Active Member

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    #13
    sorry to hear about that. upfront payment will be the best solution for your next work.
     
    carol.prime, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  14. You

    You Banned

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    #14
    That's why you and everyone else should watermark the images until you get paid. Watermark them, get paid, then submit the clear images.

    I see people make this mistake tons of times, why do people never learn...
     
    You, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  15. You

    You Banned

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    #15
    Plus, why would you work for someone with such bad iTraders. 2 people already said that they got scammed for similar services.

    I'm sorry, but you kinda looked for it...
     
    You, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  16. Blitz

    Blitz Well-Known Member

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    #16
    Ouch, I guess it's too late now to say that you should've watermarked, had some upfront payment, definitely not sent 200 to inspect - did you honestly expect him to pay once you've already sent him everything? Kind of human nature to think 'uhh, I could save $400 here by blocking this guy'.

    Anyway, could you send me 10 of them (feel free to watermark if you wish) as samples so I can see what you're working with, perhaps come to some agreement to get you some compensation.
     
    Blitz, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  17. Andy92

    Andy92 Active Member

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    #17
    Yeh, i suppose you are right. The thing is he did say do you want me to send 50% of the money now, and then 50% later? And i was like no send it all at once (too save on PayPal fees).

    So he is a very legitimate guy. I will get the money though. I have phone numbers, addresses etc, so it will work. I will let you know how i get on.
     
    Andy92, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  18. locdev

    locdev Active Member

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    #18
    mafrussian is mafia russian I guess :)
    actually 3 days is not too much
    also you have a finished design work which you can use in your profolio or sale it on online auction...
     
    locdev, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  19. You

    You Banned

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    #19
    That's another option. If he doesn't/denies to give you your money, threaten him to sell it off to someone else, or give it away for free so tons of other people have the same thing :p
     
    You, Jun 25, 2008 IP
  20. Andy92

    Andy92 Active Member

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    That is a very good idea. But i just cant get hold of him. I have tried phoning a few times today and it goes to answer phone.
     
    Andy92, Jun 25, 2008 IP
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