I think I was too trusting as I excepted a 50% payment for the site and content transfer before the rest of the 50% after final completion. After installing and setting up the site as requested, the buyer is now complaining that the revenue isn't the same as the screenshots. I'm now being held to ransom for the final 50%, even though the site sale was completed. I was wondering if anyone went through the same thing and what you did?
Well, if you've already sent the files then there's very little you can do. Your next action depends how much the 50% payment is. If it's not that much, then sorry to say but there's very little you can do. You can give him a negative iTrader, or host the site yourself so the content is deemed duplicate. If the payment owed is a big amount then, providing you have sufficient evidence to prove it, you could take him to court, although this would be a last resort and would be very costly to yourself. Either way, you should ask him for proof that he is earning a little amount. If he can't provide this proof then it's quite obvious he's trying to scam you. Another option that you may overlook is trying to get his traffic/revenue up. If he is getting the revenue that you said he would then he has nothing to complain about.
Yep I may of gotten scammed. I can understand this guy's point, he's worried that I've sold him a rubbish site that doesn't make money...but of course, he won't know the full extent of how much the site earns for him until a few weeks/months down the line when the referals/ad buyers place orders. I've seen his stats already, he's getting revenue (after only 1 day)...but I never agreed to help get his traffic/revenue up and I've never bought a site where that was part of the deal? I'm sitting back at the moment waiting for his next email. I guess I could leave Itrader (although he pm'd me rather than made a post) and the money is only 1250 USD which doesn't really warrant taking him to court .
If it's only a few days then you should probably, no offence, be more patient. Think of it from the buyer's point of view: he's just bought a website for $2500 and has already paid $1250. As much as $1250 isn't enough to take him to court, it's still quite a high amount of money so this guy needs to be certain it's going to make him money before spending another $1250. I'm not saying that there was an agreement, and nor am I saying you should tell him you're getting his revenue and traffic stats up, but if he sees them improving then he's bound to feel more oblidged to give you the rest of the money, get my jist?
Thanks Kiteguy, I get your jist However, I've seen the stats and the numbers don't look good. I've been asked to provide an explaination - where my only thinking could be: * The site was down/had errors for many days during the transfer so could of turned regular/new users away (I asked the buyer to test first before going live..he said no ) * Posts were deleted by some users, but only after the transfer on his server. * The site uses affiliate schemes to gain revenue, it takes time for it to be processed and his affiliate links are new. He'll also have to wait for direct advertisers to advertise and monthly referals. I don't think it's right that I need to wait until he starts to make money from the site, before I get paid? The deal was after completion of transfer I get paid the rest. Update: I haven't heard back from him for a day, I think he's taken the money and run . Let this be a lesson for alot DP traders. My question is how would Escrow help as I'd still have to transfer the content to him before getting paid?