The buyer doesn't respond to me and refuses to pay the invoice, citing unrealistic reasons that will lead to an infinite loop (scammer intention).

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Khal

• October 01, 2024 13:38

Hi freelancers,

I’d like to ask you, as confirmed freelancers, if you have ever encountered a critical problem with a scammer buyer who takes advantage of gaps in PPH standards and gives unrealistic reasons not mentioned in the workstream to avoid pay invoice. This behavior can lead to an infinite loop, meaning working without getting paid. Unfortunately, this is my first issue with a client who has scammer intentions. I know it was my mistake to accept only 30% escrow instead of 95% or 100%, especially since he is a buyer with no previous paid projects and an unverified profile.

If any of you have faced a similar problem, I invite you to share your experiences and how you overcame it, as this situation has been very demotivating for me.

Thank you!

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  Nancy

  • October 01, 2024 14:35

  Might be helpful to know the unrealistic reasons - but I think you can take it further with PPH, showing evidence of work completed.  They will chase him for payment and take action - but I appreciate they are slow at best of times and process is a nuisance.    

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  Adam

  • October 01, 2024 18:21

  Take it as a lesson learnt to always request the full amount to be held in the escrow.

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  Khal

  • October 01, 2024 18:30

  Thanks for your comment, Nancy. The buyer has been making vague excuses about the project scope, claiming it's not what he wanted, even though my delivery meets all the requirements he mentioned in the workstream. It’s frustrating because, at best, PPH will only assure me of receiving the escrow, which means the buyer comes out ahead. I need to report the buyer and request that his profile be suspended to prevent further scams against confirmed freelancers on PPH.

  Based on this bad experience, which has cost me time without compensation, I advise all freelancers to request a 100% escrow deposit for buyers without previous paid projects and unverified profiles.

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  Khal

  • October 01, 2024 18:40

  You're right, Adam. What you said is exactly what I want to share with freelancers, especially when working with buyers who have new profiles, no previous paid projects, or unverified accounts.

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  Khal

  • October 01, 2024 18:46

  By the way, is it possible to share the buyer's profile?

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  Nancy

  • October 01, 2024 18:48

  But even with a 100 per cent deposit in Escrow, there's no guarantee that the buyer will release funds.  PPH can release it but it takes a long time. 

  You could raise a ticket, I suppose and ask PPH to intervene - but even then I'm not sure what they can do to get all of your funds for you.   Raise a dispute, you have nothing to lose.

  Sorry you've had this experience.  It really is shit behaviour from a client, changing goal posts and saying your work isn't what he wanted.  Is there any way you can prove he's used your work?     

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  Khal

  • October 01, 2024 20:32

  Unfortunately, I can't prove that because the project is about creating a desktop app.

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