Advice needed: order wasn't paid for, still used
 

I've always maintained that if my work isn't satisfactory, and that if it is beyond a point where we can fix the issues with it, I will not ask for payment and that I will only extend to you my apologies for wasting your time.

Last week, someone ordered a batch of blog posts - I mentioned our policy, and they went on to order 25 100-word descriptions. After sending the final product, they failed to reply after a few days and when they finally did, they stated that the work wasn't up to standards and that they would not be paying.

Now, I'm not stupid: I know when my work is good, and as far as blog posts go, this was good stuff. Not award winning, but worth the quote. Now, I'm happy for people to not want to use my writing service if they think it isn't good enough for whatever reason - I will take that on the chin, and they do not need to explain it to me. After all, I know my ability, and in the long run, it's their loss. It was the first time anyone had claimed that about my work, but I wanted to let it go and just move on.

Yesterday I Googled a snippet of text from the material I produced and I found that it was posted on a brand new website with a URL registered just a few days before. The website, as you'd imagine, had 25 posts on it - all of which were the ones I had written, including links to the original sponsor's galleries.

Now, I think it's ethically questionable to use material that someone has sent to you that you have not paid for. This guy has decided to order something, claim it's not good enough and then, I'm guessing, throw it up on his website to reap the rewards without handing over cash.

What should I do?

I was thinking about contacting the sponsor and letting them know that one of their affiliates was using content that he did not pay for, but I don't know if they'd care

I was thinking about contacting his host to let them know that one of their affiliates was using content that he did not pay for

I was thinking about submitting a DMCA request as well - I don't know if his failure to pay for the product would be covered as not having a right to use it, but I think it makes sense(?)

I was thinking about outing him on GFY - although the account has rather few posts, all of which add little to conversation and are all 10~ words of bad Engish, I don't think it would make a difference.

The money isn't that much of an issue, but I just feel really shit that someone would do that. Any ideas? Come on GFY, help me out here.

Disclaimer: I did not proof read because of the rage bubbling inside. Grammar/spelling errors only reflect my inability to give a shit when I'm not being paid, sorry in advance.

How exactly did you word the: If you are not happy/satisfied, you don't have to pay policy?


Edit: And yes, it's a DICK move to not pay and use the services anyhow. Just like taking money and not delivering.

I didn't make it clear that if they didn't pay, they wouldn't be able to use the content. I mean, I think it's assumed that if you're not happy with something, you're not going to use it.

In any case, I think they were happy, they just didn't want to give me any money. The satisfaction for the product was there, just not the desire to hand over cash for it. =/

arnox is a good guy i wonder who is that fuckers who can't afford $1.50 per 100 words.

Can we see those blogs where you found your not paid content?

I'd post his name here so that others know to stay away from him.

Yep and if you do he might just pay ya, it's the GFY.


:thumbsup

I've had this happen before. My philosophy is that copyright is transferred upon payment. I DMCA'ed the host of the blog using the unpaid material and it was taken down. (This also happened to me with a ghostwritten erotica novella on Amazon. Same process, and Amazon took it down.)

I check for the unpaid blog posts every few weeks and they haven't appeared again.

That's a dick move on the buyers part, you don't want to pay for something or don't like it don't be a ass and post his work on your site. If you use it pay the guy for his time, why risk or ruin your rep, if this person does not re-consider hopefully Arnox exposes this person for this dick move, better yet whoever it is pay Arnox and end it on a positive note!!

What a dirtbag. Call him out.

Let him know that the standard of "not up to standards" is.. .NOT USING IT and that you expect payment or the removal of YOUR content from his website(s).

They are dirtbags for sure... but next time make it clear that copyright isn't transferred unless they pay, then send DMCA request to google if they abuse your refund policy.

This. If not, out'm here

That's very fucked up, and a dirtbag move.
It's bad enough that people steal photos and videos, but the written word is even easier to find....as you did by "searching" some of the text.
What a dickhead!

Update:

This morning I received payment in full for the blog posts along with an excuse that I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to.

I've decided to keep this anonymous for now, but I have stated that I'm not entirely happy with how it all went down, and if someone else complains about this individual, I will share my own story.

Thanks for advice, guys. Seems like the GFY thread was all I needed, though.

Good news, glad you got paid :thumbsup