Advice Needed!

Hello All!

I'm new to the forums and wanted to ask for some of your opinion/advice:

I'm doing a Photoshop Website Mockup for a client from another country (this is the first time I've worked with them). The design has been signed off and I just need to send them the photoshop files. I sent them my invoice last week along with the final screen proof. (I didn't ask for a downpayment at the start of the project)

I haven't received a cheque from them yet, but they are asking for the photoshop files already. Should I send it to them, or wait until my cheque comes in the mail?

Thanks for you help!

Did you have a contract with them in prior to doing this work? You can politely tell them that you cannot send off your psd files to them until you have received the cheque or at least pay up half of the amount you originally agreed on.

Do not send them until you receive payment. A check is probably a bad idea, too. You could cash it and you might not know it bounces until days later. Days later and your client could be gone with the work you did with them...then guess who's got to pay the bank?

Originally Posted by onedrgirl Hello All! I'm new to the forums and wanted to ask for some of your opinion/advice: I'm doing a Photoshop Website Mockup for a client from another country (this is the first time I've worked with them). The design has been signed off and I just need to send them the photoshop files. I sent them my invoice last week along with the final screen proof. (I didn't ask for a downpayment at the start of the project) I haven't received a cheque from them yet, but they are asking for the photoshop files already. Should I send it to them, or wait until my cheque comes in the mail? Thanks for you help!

you don't release source files until you get paid.

Do not pay till you get the check and the check clears. Small projects should always be done by credit card unless you are working with a large business. The reason for this is that small items, even if protected by a contract, can be realistically unenforceable because you are not going to get a lawyer and file a civil complaint over a few hundred dollars. Your best method of protection for small methods are the following:
1. Payment upfront (proves that they are willing to pay)
2. Payment by credit card (clears instantly)
3. Never give work till final payment is cleared

yeah, when i design i wait until ive finished and ask for payment first. or just ask the client to pay upfront.

Next time write payment terms in the contract.

For small projects we request 100% payment upfront before starting project.

Large projects gets split up in phases 50% before, 50% after completion... sometimes use escrow.

Make sure you get paid before transferring over the design. Get payment through bank transfer or PayPal... not check

All good advice from the designers. Listen to what they say it's the only way to protect yourself when working with small jobs.

Do not send the files until the check has cleared.

Ya I would DEFINITELY not send them your work until you get paid. I did that and they ran off and I haven't heard another thing. Good thing it was the smallest job ever, BUT still... DEFINITELY get your money first