Selling Out

[CatintheHat1]

Argh. Total dilemma. Need cash for kids. Got a great job, that I offered a discount on (yes, I know...a sure shortcut to trouble). They gave me a big deposit which I seriously cannot afford to return. I can quit, but will have to return 2/3 of the deposit since I hadn't even started that part of the project, yet...and I need the rest of the money so badly for something specific. Here's what happened so far:

(SOME INFO DELETED BY POSTER)

7. I sent proofs
8. One approved
9. Made revisions of approved design
10. Told that another member of team hated the design (so, uh, why ask for revisions???)
The send some low res proofs they had done elsewhere and ask me just to alter those instead.

12. I ask for images, etc. and license (red flags flashing)
13. They don't have them (surprise, surprise).

So, they were going to have me use someone else's designs and basically use stolen images, since I certainly didn't have a license to use them. Now I'm worried about even using images I license, 'cause who knows what they'll do with them, regardless of what my contract says.

It just an icky situation. And I feel worse since money is tempting me. Argh.


I need to quit.

I need the money.


PS: If anyone answers, please don't include my post in the reply, I'll probably get paranoid at some point that they'll read this and want to delete most of it....LOL

[Patrick Shannon]

Would that company possibly know you're talking about them? This isn't entirely an uncommon situation ;)

If you are to proceed on this job, I hope you have some sort of written terms that they signed off on based on provided materials. My contact has an area that if the client hits legal trouble with material they provided me (and I worked with not knowing any ramifications), the legal battles are THEIR problem.

Yes, those are definately some red flags...but as far as the previous work suspected by some other designer, it could be possible the client owns that work now if they paid off that designer (it really depends on the terms). What you also have to consider when desperate for money is when you're going to get paid in full. You might be able to complete another (more stable) client and get paid much quicker than if this job becomes long and drawn out (and even worse, eating into resources and time).

[Drazan]

btw = if you are paranoid about the post, you may want to edit it. After a certain amount of time, you won't be able to edit or delete it. (I know I asked about that when my boss found one of my showcase/rants on here)

Other than that.

If the client delayed this long and it hashing at the price, more than likely that deposit may be the only thing you are going to see. And he may have done the exact same thing with other designers which is why he may not be able to go back to the original designer of the piece he showed you - be cause he did not pay for it.

As for the money, or to refund: money will come again - you'll never gain back the time and stress that you spend on this guy.

Good Luck
Jade

[CatintheHat1]

Drat. I can't edit it. ARGH. OH no!!

Anyway, the client will never get a file from me before I'm paid in full, so I might lose my time, but he won't have his files.

I do have a contract and all the legal issues are covered, but that doesn't stop any third party from naming me in a suit or stop a client from misusing an image. I am constantly sending people back to the contract. I really don't think many people even bother to read it. It's amazing.

Apparently the use of the other design, while not approved per se, would not be a big deal, it was created by someone in their organization who usually does this work but couldn't finish this project for some reason. I refused to use it, of course, and legally that all means nothing, but I feel better about the ethical thing.

Prayer. I'll try prayer and fasting. If that doesn't work, I'll try Vodka and pizza.

[reuber1]

Drat. I can't edit it. ARGH. OH no!!
Wow, funny cat, I have the exact same situation as you just described! Who'da thunkit?


;)

[CatintheHat1]

Guess we better be careful what we say..hehehe