[lasto]

Its all very well having this but why not go all the way and make one called :

Guide to a UnSuccessful Paid Request and how the board is here to help you.

But you cant because the simple reason is - if you get ripped off besides posting the person name in the actual paid request thread there is nothing you can do about it.You are basically on your own and any whinging on the board will incur some form of threat such as an infaction or possibly a ban.

Even with the Guide above its Inevitable that things will go wrong but yet u have failed to explain to anyone what they can do if they have been scammed.

[Gio~Logist]

Thanks. As for getting "ripped off", that's covered in the following area:
Do your homework on the developer

If you have done your homework right, there is absolutely no reason as to why you've still ended up with a "scam artist" as a developer. Unless they are just that good at scamming.

As for what to do after... The best thing I can tell you is to learn from your mistakes, and do things right the second time around. You can also file a complaint and use as much detail as possible. Or find others that have had bad experiences with this person and tell them to assist you in nailing them down.

Paypal can't help too much with intangible goods. This is why it's mostly up to you to avoid these kinds of situations. This is a problem that is found world-wide and all across the internet. It's up to you to avoid it.

[lasto]

What im trying to say even if you do your research you can still be scammed but you seem to be missing that point and actually ignoring the point of what made u do this thread in the 1st place
I brought some goods off you not long ago from your site - how would you feel once i got the goods i reversed the charge in paypal by saying invalid transaction - would`nt feel to good would you.
Well thats the same feeling you get when someone scams you,and you writing a guide and then saying do your homework does`nt solve one little thing.

[SEOvB]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

Thanks. As for getting "ripped off", that's covered in the following area:
Do your homework on the developer

If you have done your homework right, there is absolutely no reason as to why you've still ended up with a "scam artist" as a developer. Unless they are just that good at scamming.

It seems lately, that even the ones with previous good feedback are now getting negative feedback left. Which makes it even more difficult to trust someone from here, because no one wants to be that first guy to get ripped off.

As for what to do after... The best thing I can tell you is to learn from your mistakes, and do things right the second time around. You can also file a complaint and use as much detail as possible. Or find others that have had bad experiences with this person and tell them to assist you in nailing them down.

Paypal can't help too much with intangible goods. This is why it's mostly up to you to avoid these kinds of situations. This is a problem that is found world-wide and all across the internet. It's up to you to avoid it.

Always put in your request that you want the files on some form of tangible goods IE a cd, disk, jump drive, whatever you want. That way paypal will still have a chance to protect you, or shut the scammers account down.

Alternatively using a Escrow service is always a viable option if you don't fully trust who you're giving money to.

[Gio~Logist]

Originally Posted by lasto

What im trying to say even if you do your research you can still be scammed but you seem to be missing that point and actually ignoring the point of what made u do this thread in the 1st place
I brought some goods off you not long ago from your site - how would you feel once i got the goods i reversed the charge in paypal by saying invalid transaction - would`nt feel to good would you.
Well thats the same feeling you get when someone scams you,and you writing a guide and then saying do your homework does`nt solve one little thing.

Lasto, I'm sorry for your recent experiences with your service requests. Honestly, I am. But you're taking your frustration out in the wrong place. This thread wasn't made in order to end all possible scamming, that's impossible. I made this to help you all with the overall experience and guide you to what can hopefully be a positive one.

What advice can I offer you on not getting scammed? Other than doing your homework, not much. Things happen. Not everyone in this world has good intentions and that's inevitably a fact of life. Hopefully with the few tips provided it can happen to less people, but it will always happen.

I'm happy to have you as a customer, and glad you like the product(s) I have to offer. If there's anything I can ever do for you, don't hesitate to drop a message. If you need a project done and I can't do it, I'll try my best to find someone who can. Good luck, and I hope your recent bad experiences are followed by nothing but success!

--------------- Added 20 Nov 2008 at 00:29 ---------------

Originally Posted by FRDS

It seems lately, that even the ones with previous good feedback are now getting negative feedback left. Which makes it even more difficult to trust someone from here, because no one wants to be that first guy to get ripped off.



Always put in your request that you want the files on some form of tangible goods IE a cd, disk, jump drive, whatever you want. That way paypal will still have a chance to protect you, or shut the scammers account down.

Alternatively using a Escrow service is always a viable option if you don't fully trust who you're giving money to.

That's a good point. It's hard to tell who to trust at times. But I mean, what can honestly be a valid reason towards going back and changing your feedback on a certain project? Either the developer converted to a scammer, or maybe just stopped developing? I agree though, it isn't so much a good thing when old-time trustworthy developers disappear or begin to resort to "scamming".

[lasto]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

Lasto, I'm sorry for your recent experiences with your service requests. Honestly, I am. But you're taking your frustration out in the wrong place. This thread wasn't made in order to end all possible scamming, that's impossible. I made this to help you all with the overall experience and guide you to what can hopefully be a positive

accept my apology m8 if i seemed to be taking my frustration out on you.

[Paul M]

Off topic posts and the usual staff digs removed. If this cannot remain civil and on topic then it will get closed.

[Princeton]

moved to vBulletin Articles

[Brandon Sheley]

Don't forget if and when you have work done by someone you have hired, to check up on the work after they are finished.
I've seen a number of recent affiliate links hidden without the client knowing about them usually in the footer or as an hosted image.
Just do your research, but also look over the work and make sure it's exactly what is agreed upon

ps.. Great article Gio~ 5 stars

[Taragon]

Thank you, it’s a great article.

Personally I also try to list my past (successful) request within my new request.
This way a developer will be ensured I do know the meaning of money.

Spend some time to properly close your request. Name the developer, and rate his entry in your original request.
This way other people can learn from your experience with this coder/designer.
Also, don’t forget to thank the developers who have replied, but haven’t received the assignment.

As already mentioned in the article, communication is a must.
Make sure you’ll always have access to past communications. Don’t sign up to a third party website. Or make copies of your writings when you do.
When communicating by MSN Messenger or alike make sure it 'll create a proper backup of the things spoken of.