JBC Web Services Joseph Cardwell JBC Web Services will SCAM YOU! Internet

Bait and Switch

Client hired me to convert JomSocial to a Pintrest clone, then wanted to add an additional Joomla! conversion to an Eventbrite clone.

Client barely had the budget to get the first Pintrest clone completed, and then wanted to add marketing consulting as well.

To cover the gap, we agreed to partner. The agreement was for me to produce  custom Joomla! components, one as a Pintrest clone, and the other to serve as an Eventbrite clone. I would build 1 Pintrest clone site and 2 Eventbrite sites as part of the original request, and I would also provide marketing services for the branded sites as well as logistics and marketing for reselling the unbranded components. The deal was to split the sales of unbranded components 60-40 in his favor.

After I invested several thousand dollars worth of programming labor and marketing consulting, the client, or 'partner', began to demand daily hour long marketing consultation calls. I consented for 10 weeks but eventually it became too much of a burden. The client became unreasonable in his expectations of both my time, and the amount of time it was going to take to complete these projects.

I suggested we terminate the relationship and I would refund his money, even though in effect he owed me several thousand dollars. He insisted we continue, which I attempted to do for a few more weeks until he started making threats to my reputation. 

At that point I decided to cut my losses and end the contracts. I am currently working to refund both of the contracts I have with the client, which will bring my losses to well over several thousand dollars.

You can't win 'em all.