Scammed!

marcom10 · 08-17-2005, 08:40 PM

I made a layout for a member of this forum. His username was "Posting". His account has now been suspended and he has a -1 trader rating, which he did not have on 7/29/05.

Here is his post http://www.namepros.com/web-development-wanted/110987-web-host-design-needed.html

As you can see I had sent him a PM, and contacted him on AIM. He chose me, and I asked for a down payment. He insisted that he would pay me once I finished the web layout, but I said I wanted down payment for scamming reasons. I really wanted the job, and he didn't feel comfortable paying, so I made him type to me on AIM that he would pay for the final copy. The layout was a hosting layout, and it was for $100 dollars.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-development-wanted/116488-scammed.html

Here is the "contract" he said to me on AIM.

Drewpat11 (12:05:59 AM): I drewpat11 will send money once project is completed, or once i see a full through mock up that i find good enough. once i received a watermarked version of the layout i will send half payment, then once i receive the layout, i will send the other half of the payment at a total of $100.

scmarco10 (12:06:45 AM): I approve of this on 7/31/2005

It even has the timestamp to show it.

Ok so when I finished the layout he loved it. I asked for payment and he said his paypal wasn't ready. (They had to confirm his bank). I started to be wary and wonder why he would do business with a un-opened paypal account. Anyway he re-assured me it would be open by wed. Problem was I left for San diego california on wed. So I told him he would have to wait until August 15th, when I would return, to get the full version. He said alright, no problem. When in San Diego I was in an Apple store and he confirmed with me his paypal was
accepted and he could send me the money when I returned.

So I return August 15th, and I gave him my paypal address and he said he would send half the money over. I waited, and Imed him if he had sent it and he signed off. I thought he would return but I thought wrong. So I gave it 2 days and he never signed on, so my brother checked his screename and sure enough he was on. My brother calmly IMED him and once again, he blocked him too. I have his AIM and Email, but something tells me he won't email me back so I wont try. Right now I only have proof that he should be paying me because he said it. But I think he might have saved my watermarked version (thank god I watermarked it) and may have someone re-create it.

If he dosen't re-create it what are my options? How can I get my money for my wasted time? (Please don't IM him harassing him, as it makes me look bad).

If he does re-create my layout, what are my options? There is easily proof there that he stole it, because it was first created by me and I have the .psd.

This is the second time this has happened, and its the second time I fell into this game. It happened with a another hosting layout with volo networks. I have indeed finally learned my lesson.

Any helpful information or anything else would be greatly appreciated. Now I know, no matter how good and fun a job sounds, always always take down payment on the jobs.

Thanks for your help,

-Marco Massaro
8balldesigns
AIM: scmarco10

Gene · 08-17-2005, 08:49 PM

Unfortunately, you made a bad business decision. Your options now are:

1) Show up at his door with the local sheriff.
2) Hire a lawyer at $200 per hour.
3) Write off the loss on your taxes.

The 'contract' you noted above is absolutely meaningless. There is no signature. Anyone could have written that, and he can deny it.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=116488

If he ever does use your created work, notify his hosting company immediately. You'll have to prove the material is yours though.

Quote:

How can I get my money for my wasted time?

You can't. Unless he decides to come through for you.

Always, always, ALWAYS, get a sizable deposit unless you don't mind taking the risk.

marcom10 · 08-17-2005, 08:55 PM

Yeah, I'm stupid for doing that AIM thing. I really wanted the job, you know what I mean right? It was a great opportunity.

Please keep posting. And thanks gene for the feedback. If someway you can help me in the process of contact him I would greatly appreciate it.

-Marco

Gene · 08-17-2005, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by marcom10

I really wanted the job, you know what I mean right? It was a great opportunity.

I understand completely... it's easy to get caught up in the opportunity at hand and be too trusting. But as you've learned, you must set rules or be at risk.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=116488

Originally Posted by marcom10

Please keep posting. And thanks gene for the feedback. If someway you can help me in the process of contact him I would greatly appreciate it.

I really wish there was something I could do...

marcom10 · 08-17-2005, 09:03 PM

Gene thanks for your help. Do you have AIM? Maybe you could IM him saying you found that post, and ask him if the job is still open etc.

-Marco

Gene · 08-17-2005, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by marcom10

Gene thanks for your help. Do you have AIM? Maybe you could IM him saying you found that post, and ask him if the job is still open etc.

-Marco

Sorry, I don't use IM's of any kind.

marcom10 · 08-17-2005, 09:10 PM

Oh alright. Also how do you give someone a trader rating?

Please explain.

Gene · 08-17-2005, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by marcom10

Oh alright. Also how do you give someone a trader rating?

See the littly 'scale' icon second from the left on the left of the screen? Click on that.
OOPS! I was thinking rep points. See Armstrong's instructions below for Trader Rating.

marcom10 · 08-17-2005, 09:13 PM

Oh ok. Thanks...

Please keep the suggestions or anything else coming. Thanks for the great support. Great community!

-Marco

Cobalt · 08-17-2005, 09:14 PM

I have AIM, I would be glad to IM him

and give him a nice message.

Just hit me up with a PM and I'll give it ago

armstrong · 08-17-2005, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Gene

See the littly 'scale' icon second from the left on the left of the screen? Click on that.

That scale icon is for reputation, Gene.

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=116488

To update someone's trader rating (TR), you would go to the member's profile page (in this case, http://www.namepros.com/members/18789.html ), then click on Submit Feedback For posting.

Gene · 08-17-2005, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by armstrong

That scale icon is for reputation, Gene.

LOL... it's past my bed time :-)

skrilla · 08-17-2005, 10:08 PM

you could have uploaded the watermarked one to ur server, just to show him, and deleted it right away. but the best thing to do is to get the money up front. if they are worried about not getting what they paid for, fax a contract, they sign it fax it back. at least then you would have some kind of proof (signature). copy or not.

marcom10 · 08-17-2005, 10:11 PM

Yeah, Good call. Ill do that from now on!

Keep them coming...

-Marco
8balldesigns

Rom · 08-18-2005, 03:19 PM

Posting also scammed me. He bidded on my auction and never paid >_<

ihosty · 08-18-2005, 09:34 PM

Sounds like this guy needs to be banned from namepros, because cleary he has a poor business rep, and cannot be trusted.

and yes your so "called" contract is not worth anything as already posted.

NOTE TO SELF: ALWAYS GET A DOWN PAYMENT! OR DO NOT DO ANY WORK. EVEN IF THEY REPLY WITH I HAVE GIVEN PEOPLE A DOWN PAYMENT AND THEN THEY STEAL MY MONEY, JUST REPLY WITH IF YOU WANT ME TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU I REQUIRE A DOWNPAYMENT, IF NOT THEN YOU HAVE A NICE DAY!

=)

Mark · 08-18-2005, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by sectorfour

Sounds like this guy needs to be banned from namepros, because cleary he has a poor business rep, and cannot be trusted.

He already was banned

-

08-17-2005, 08:40 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
marcom10 NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Scammed! I made a layout for a member of this forum. His username was "Posting". His account has now been suspended and he has a -1 trader rating, which he did not have on 7/29/05. Here is his post http://www.namepros.com/web-development-wanted/110987-web-host-design-needed.html As you can see I had sent him a PM, and contacted him on AIM. He chose me, and I asked for a down payment. He insisted that he would pay me once I finished the web layout, but I said I wanted down payment for scamming reasons. I really wanted the job, and he didn't feel comfortable paying, so I made him type to me on AIM that he would pay for the final copy. The layout was a hosting layout, and it was for $100 dollars. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-development-wanted/116488-scammed.html Here is the "contract" he said to me on AIM. Drewpat11 (12:05:59 AM): I drewpat11 will send money once project is completed, or once i see a full through mock up that i find good enough. once i received a watermarked version of the layout i will send half payment, then once i receive the layout, i will send the other half of the payment at a total of $100. scmarco10 (12:06:45 AM): I approve of this on 7/31/2005 It even has the timestamp to show it. Ok so when I finished the layout he loved it. I asked for payment and he said his paypal wasn't ready. (They had to confirm his bank). I started to be wary and wonder why he would do business with a un-opened paypal account. Anyway he re-assured me it would be open by wed. Problem was I left for San diego california on wed. So I told him he would have to wait until August 15th, when I would return, to get the full version. He said alright, no problem. When in San Diego I was in an Apple store and he confirmed with me his paypal was accepted and he could send me the money when I returned. So I return August 15th, and I gave him my paypal address and he said he would send half the money over. I waited, and Imed him if he had sent it and he signed off. I thought he would return but I thought wrong. So I gave it 2 days and he never signed on, so my brother checked his screename and sure enough he was on. My brother calmly IMED him and once again, he blocked him too. I have his AIM and Email, but something tells me he won't email me back so I wont try. Right now I only have proof that he should be paying me because he said it. But I think he might have saved my watermarked version (thank god I watermarked it) and may have someone re-create it. If he dosen't re-create it what are my options? How can I get my money for my wasted time? (Please don't IM him harassing him, as it makes me look bad). If he does re-create my layout, what are my options? There is easily proof there that he stole it, because it was first created by me and I have the .psd. This is the second time this has happened, and its the second time I fell into this game. It happened with a another hosting layout with volo networks. I have indeed finally learned my lesson. Any helpful information or anything else would be greatly appreciated. Now I know, no matter how good and fun a job sounds, always always take down payment on the jobs. Thanks for your help, -Marco Massaro 8balldesigns AIM: scmarco10

08-17-2005, 10:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada Posts: 1,045	you could have uploaded the watermarked one to ur server, just to show him, and deleted it right away. but the best thing to do is to get the money up front. if they are worried about not getting what they paid for, fax a contract, they sign it fax it back. at least then you would have some kind of proof (signature). copy or not. __________________ Add Me to G+

08-18-2005, 09:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
ihosty ******** Regular Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 340	... Sounds like this guy needs to be banned from namepros, because cleary he has a poor business rep, and cannot be trusted. and yes your so "called" contract is not worth anything as already posted. NOTE TO SELF: ALWAYS GET A DOWN PAYMENT! OR DO NOT DO ANY WORK. EVEN IF THEY REPLY WITH I HAVE GIVEN PEOPLE A DOWN PAYMENT AND THEN THEY STEAL MY MONEY, JUST REPLY WITH IF YOU WANT ME TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU I REQUIRE A DOWNPAYMENT, IF NOT THEN YOU HAVE A NICE DAY! =)

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08-17-2005, 08:55 PM	THREAD STARTER #3 (permalink)
marcom10 NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Yeah, I'm stupid for doing that AIM thing. I really wanted the job, you know what I mean right? It was a great opportunity. Please keep posting. And thanks gene for the feedback. If someway you can help me in the process of contact him I would greatly appreciate it. -Marco

08-17-2005, 09:03 PM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
marcom10 NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Gene thanks for your help. Do you have AIM? Maybe you could IM him saying you found that post, and ask him if the job is still open etc. -Marco

08-17-2005, 09:10 PM	THREAD STARTER #7 (permalink)
marcom10 NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Oh alright. Also how do you give someone a trader rating? Please explain.

08-17-2005, 09:13 PM	THREAD STARTER #9 (permalink)
marcom10 NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Oh ok. Thanks... Please keep the suggestions or anything else coming. Thanks for the great support. Great community! -Marco

08-17-2005, 09:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cobalt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,378	I have AIM, I would be glad to IM him and give him a nice message. Just hit me up with a PM and I'll give it ago

08-17-2005, 10:11 PM	THREAD STARTER #14 (permalink)
marcom10 NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Yeah, Good call. Ill do that from now on! Keep them coming... -Marco 8balldesigns

08-18-2005, 03:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
Rom Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,443	Posting also scammed me. He bidded on my auction and never paid >_<

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