Sharing my experience with scammers.

I thought i should share it with you designers and it can be beneficial for you.

1.Always watermark your design.

2.If clients says that he/she has to transfer money from bank and than he/she will pay,don't give the design until payment is received.I have been scammed and have faced such situations.The client do not pay. and this is why i am telling you.

3.If the client orders in bulk and pay a little in beginning to convince you,only give the design worth the amount he paid.Don't give full design without payment.

That's all.

Thanks for reading.

 

I think all MUST proceed like you have described.

 

I had been wondering about this myself as I'm deciding to start searching for work on these forums.

Do you happen to have any suggestions for a watermark? Multiple colors? greyscale?

 

Yup. I always use a watermark. It doesnt have to be anything simple. Could just say SAMPLE in a faded font.

Also, I never give the PSD file / non-watermarked file until payment is received.

 

I think get all monies paid up front.

 

You can agree to use an escrow system or, just send the work after you got paid.

 

I think get all monies paid up front.

 

Good tips, very helpful.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Most of what you said is common sense if you ask me, but anyway it would help those who are new to the field

 

Just get your own reseller hosting account, never worry

 

getting paid up front is a good idea but not really practacle.

Id say take a small deposit to to start like $5, so you know they are serious and have a paypal account lol.

Then take payments after each section of work is completed. Say your doing a whole site, id take payments after the logo is finished, the header is finished, navbar etc. That way no one can really lose out much. If you drop dead the client at least has a logo that can be taken to another designer. Also if the client drops dead you have only done alittle work that has not been paid for.

Also beware of clients asking for free draft, they go around asking any and all designers just to get free ideas, then ask their cousin brother to make it from the idea stolen from the real designers.

Trust in the itrader from dp as ive never had a client with 10+ itraders be any trouble.

If your working on a site get the full url domain name. That way you can do a who is lookup and track your money down. You can contact the domain hosting company if they are using your work without payment or permission. If you have proof they can threaten to shut down the domain as its against copyright law.

 

I'm a photographer and I used to be pretty relaxed with my work, but as time went by I realized how important watermaking is, as well as getting paid before my clients get their material. Some clients think it strange to pay before (or at least, at the same time), but the point is if you are a reputable business you will NEVER screw your client - because that kind of thing gets around - especially with the web. On the other hand, there are a shocking number of shameful people out there who go out of their way not to pay for your hard work - which can really be inconvenient when you are counting on the money. So, seller beware