1-2-3: a local Filipino term meaning not paying
I was recently offered a gig to convert a website template created in Photoshop (PSD) to a working HTML/CSS template for 100USD by ED2Group a few days back. When it was time to do the job I found out that there was already an HTML version of the PSD template but it was broken in other browsers. I suggested that we redo the entire template to address the issues, but due to their deadline we proceeded to use the existing one and just fix it. So my new job was to fix the template and assist their resident PHP programmer Joseph in implementing the template and adding content. I was assured that I was still gonna get paid the agreed amount despite the amendments to the job description.
I proceeded to fix the ready made template and created a base structure in PHP for integrating the HTML… The following day, I was informed that I wasn’t gonna get paid due to the amount of work I’ve done.
mike heads up lang kita, i’ve forwarded elvin your invoice already. we
might not pay you fully for this project first kasi hindi naman siya
full css convertion from my psds, onting support work lang for joseph,
I replied:
Yeah I expected as much, though it really wasn’t my fault though. Either way just let me know if something comes up.
Then the head honcho messaged me saying:
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:43:29 AM): because of the miscommunication .. i will still pay your 100
name less (9/23/2009 11:43:29 AM): yes, my understanding was to do the entire template as well
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:43:43 AM): i didnt’ know quix offered that amount to you
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:43:47 AM): but were good business gusy
name less (9/23/2009 11:43:52 AM): i just did as i was instructed
name less (9/23/2009 11:44:16 AM): you can coordinate with him about that
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:44:28 AM): no problem.. we dont’ need to coordinate
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:44:31 AM): i will pay your wage
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:44:36 AM): i like to keep a good name
He then proceeded to offer me a job (which was like buying a Porche 911 at the price of a Toyota Vios):
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:44:43 AM): but i’d liek to talk about future projects
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:45:04 AM): i will tell you upfront .. i won’t be able to afford to pay a filipino freelancer that amount for future projects
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:45:13 AM): just to much competition out there
name less (9/23/2009 11:45:22 AM): ok, but i’d understand if you’d wave the said amount since because of the changes in the job description
ED2 Group (9/23/2009 11:45:27 AM): how much are you willing drop yoru price to continure to work with us
I offered to waive the said amount out of courtesy even though it wasn’t my fault, but he didn’t reply so I assumed I was getting paid. Several days past and I haven’t heard a word from neither the head honcho or the dude who offered me the gig regarding the when, what, why of the invoice I’ve sent…
I really don’t care about the 100USD, it’s really not that hard to earn it if you know what you are doing. What pisses me off is that they don’t have the courtesy to inform me on what’s really gonna happen. It’s been some time since this last happened to me, I guess I just charge it to experience and move on. I do believe in karma anyway.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Firstly, if you want to be taken seriously in business, don’t say ‘gonna’. It’s “going to”.
Secondly, if you’re going to do a job, then you set the conditions up front. If you don’t then you are asking to be ‘ripped off’. Though if you don’t agree terms first (in writing) you can’t really be ripped off, as there’s no contract.
If you’re seen as an easy ‘mark’ then you will never be taken seriously.