Though this problem is a global one, it however seems more common amongst Nigerians (from experience).

Use-less clients will give you a job to do and after doing it well, the i-diots will take the preview sample you sent to them and run; without PAYMENT.

REMEDY:

Always DEMAND for payment before you start any design work! It can be 70% down payment or 100% down payment.

If the client refuses to pay, don't ever consider starting the design hoping they'll pay. They'll be friendly at first and try to make you trust them. Don't be deceive!!! I just got scammed by one such bas.tards today.

Don't sell yourself cheap. Graphics design and animation are one of the highest paying jobs in the world. If a client refuses to pay before you start work (even after showing them your design portfolio), then, to HELL with them.


YOUR CONCEPT VERSUS THEIR CONCEPT:

It doesn't matter whether you designed a logo from scratch or you used a concept/sample from your client, they should pay you the same amount or slightly different amounts (depending on your pricing plan).

With anything freelancing, clients pay for the TIME you used to design things, plus your expertise. How on earth would a degenerate human being give you a Logo to Re-design, and after doing it perfectly to their taste, they take the preview copy and keep mute. When you politely remind them about the payment, they start reigning curses on you?

If you are claiming you cannot pay a graphics designer because he didn't do much because he used your concept, why the he.ll don't you design it yourself then? Make I hear say that design no go be like where chicken scratch ground!

Nna eh, Nigerians should really help themselves oh. I've worked with foreign clients and they seldom default on payment. Plus, they usually pay extra as appreciation. I'm not saying there are no bad foreign clients, but they are rare.

Upon say we charge our fellow Nigerians very cheap, they still find it hard to pay. The range of graphics design in Nigeria is between N1000 and N5000. All over the world, the standard price for graphics design is between $50 and $3000 per design.

Imagine one hood rat that gave me a school badge to Re-design so that it will be in vector, I charged him mere N1500. Ater finishing the design, the nonentity started insulting me when I asked for payment!

The name of the school is "MILBEN NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL". The guy's whatsapp profile shows him on suite, but I doubt if he has eaten any meaningful food for a MONTH!


ADVICE

Stop offering free design opportunities as a way to gain customers. You're invertently creating more potential HOOD RAT CLIENTS.

THE ONE ABOVE IS THE ONE HE SENT TO ME.

HERE'S THE ONE I DID TO HIS SATISFACTION...



[size=14pt]UPDATE:[/size]

---

Since The FOOL still doesn't want to pay me, I'm, offering this BADGE to the PUBLIC - You're FREE to use it!!!

bros dey para

Donald3d:
bros dey para

Bros, wetin man go do when animal vex am?

catalyst007...I love your design, its unique i must confess. And so sorry you were scammed.

Please drop your contact let's discuss, i need you to put me through some things.

Thanks!

so true. like they say u will always meet some bad ones. I have people who have defaulted in payments from last year and I have some who paid before I even finished the job.
I have however learned one thing. putting a huge sample watermark never goes wrong. it might be transparent so he can See His design but the preview copy should have a sample watermark.

chrislong:
so true. like they say u will always meet some bad ones. I have people who have defaulted in payments from last year and I have some who paid before I even finished the job.
I have however learned one thing. putting a huge sample watermark never goes wrong. it might be transparent so he can See His design but the preview copy should have a sample watermark.

Great TIP!!! However, note that some of them know how to remove watermarks. They do it all the time with Shutterstock photos!

Catalyst007:


Great TIP!!! However, note that some of them know how to remove watermarks. They do it all the time with Shutterstock photos!

that's where the issue of down payment comes in but we are in Nigeria. the client finds it even harder to trust the designer especially if it's someone he has never worked with before thus making it hard for both parties. compromise is advised sometimes.

chrislong:


that's where the issue of down payment comes in but we are in Nigeria. the client finds it even harder to trust the designer especially if it's someone he has never worked with before thus making it hard for both parties. compromise is advised sometimes.

I believe showing your clients your previous portfolio of designs should convince them to trust you. If they still express doubt after that, you got yourself a HOOD RAT!!!

Catalyst007:


I believe showing your clients your previous portfolio of designs should convince them to trust you. If they still express doubt after that, you got yourself a HOOD RAT!!!

noted

catalyst007....the thing tire me. This year I am so paranoid...don't get moved by assuring words of some clients....Pay before service is the golden rule.

Catalyst007:
Though this problem is a global one, it however seems more common amongst Nigerians (from experience).

Use-less clients will give you a job to do and after doing it well, the i-diots will take the preview sample you sent to them and run; without PAYMENT.

REMEDY:

Always DEMAND for payment before you start any design work! It can be 70% down payment or 100% down payment.

If the client refuses to pay, don't ever consider starting the design hoping they'll pay. They'll be friendly at first and try to make you trust them. Don't be deceive!!! I just got scammed by one such bas.tards today.

Don't sell yourself cheap. Graphics design and animation are one of the highest paying jobs in the world. If a client refuses to pay before you start work (even after showing them your design portfolio), then, to HELL with them.


YOUR CONCEPT VERSUS THEIR CONCEPT:

It doesn't matter whether you designed a logo from scratch or you used a concept/sample from your client, they should pay you the same amount or slightly different amounts (depending on your pricing plan).

With anything freelancing, clients pay for the TIME you used to design things, plus your expertise. How on earth would a degenerate human being give you a Logo to Re-design, and after doing it perfectly to their taste, they take the preview copy and keep mute. When you politely remind them about the payment, they start reigning curses on you?

If you are claiming you cannot pay a graphics designer because he didn't do much because he used your concept, why the he.ll don't you design it yourself then? Make I hear say that design no go be like where chicken scratch ground!

Nna eh, Nigerians should really help themselves oh. I've worked with foreign clients and they seldom default on payment. Plus, they usually pay extra as appreciation. I'm not saying there are no bad foreign clients, but they are rare.

Upon say we charge our fellow Nigerians very cheap, they still find it hard to pay. The range of graphics design in Nigeria is between N1000 and N5000. All over the world, the standard price for graphics design is between $50 and $3000 per design.

Imagine one hood rat that gave me a school badge to Re-design so that it will be in vector, I charged him mere N1500. Ater finishing the design, the nonentity started insulting me when I asked for payment!

The name of the school is "MILBEN NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL". The guy's whatsapp profile shows him on suite, but I doubt if he has eaten any meaningful food for a MONTH!


ADVICE

Stop offering free design opportunities as a way to gain customers. You're invertently creating more potential HOOD RAT CLIENTS.

I feel your pain. they underrate graphics design in Naija. He could not even pay a token of 1500 naira

wabdesigns:
catalyst007....the thing tire me. This year I am so paranoid...don't get moved by assuring words of some clients....Pay before service is the golden rule.

My brother, it's discouraging. Such people are just plain out backward, wicked and envious. They don't want their N1 to enter another man's hand, but want things done for them. This is the last straw for me sha. I'm not even going to listen to a client that doesn't deposit money prior to me commencing work.

wabdesigns:


I feel your pain. they underrate graphics design in Naija. He could not even pay a token of 1500 naira

Chairman, it's sad... On a brighter note, I'm gradually concentrating on foreign clients for now via www.upwork.com

Just got a design job for $210 yesterday!

Donald3d:
bros dey para

...pass para llelogram, oun binu gàn.

Catalyst007:


Chairman, it's sad... On a brighter note, I'm gradually concentrating on foreign clients for now via www.upwork.com

Just got a design job for $210 yesterday!

That is great

wabdesigns:

That is great

Yeah.... Thanks

Catalyst007:


Yeah.... Thanks

210? bro Pls drop your contact. let's talk

.

Op,i like the fact that this topic was raised,we Nigerians are very funny,to all graphic designers out there,stop selling yourself cheap,your designs are your intellectual property,you had sleepless nights,exhausted data,fuel and accept 1500 for a logo design?,professional logo design will take you not less than 2weeks,from research to sketches etc,we are our own problems,you advertise free logo design thinking it'll do what?,till we learn to see what we do as a profession,things will continue to get worst,op i'm not directing this to you but to us as designers,be good@ what you do and clients will come for you

aceprime:
Op,i like the fact that this topic was raised,we Nigerians are very funny,to all graphic designers out there,stop selling yourself cheap,your designs are your intellectual property,you had sleepless nights,exhausted data,fuel and accept 1500 for a logo design?,professional logo design will take you not less than 2weeks,from research to sketches etc,we are our own problems,you advertise free logo design thinking it'll do what?,till we learn to see what we do as a profession,things will continue to get worst,op i'm not directing this to you but to us as designers,be good@ what you do and clients will come for you

Good talk.

Catalyst007:



Good talk.

Sorry for your experience. I had something similar 2 weeks ago but I didn't fall.

A foreign number called me but I missed the call, so I called back and the guy said he like my logos from nairaland logo thread.

I added him on whatsapp and we got talking. He wanted a logo and I gave him my pricelist. Just 10k, abi 15k for 4 concepts.

He obliged and said I should proceed with the design. And then I let it out, oga what of payment naw, as in down payment (not my exact words o). He insisted I proceeded with the design.

Wo, company policy demands 70% down payment before any job as I need to brainstorm, research, probably hand-draw, before using illustrator. I made it clear, there's no way I am starting a project without down payment.

That was the end of our discussion. Designers and employees generally, are not beggars. Business people need to learn to appreciate designers. If you don't feel your designer should be paid a mouth-watering sum, you don't also deserve to get a contract, or you could as well run your business for free.

Idesignng
Waka4u

INDESTRUCTABLEX:


Sorry for your experience. I had something similar 2 weeks ago but I didn't fall.

A foreign number called me but I missed the call, so I called back and the guy said he like my logos from nairaland logo thread.

I added him on whatsapp and we got talking. He wanted a logo and I gave him my pricelist. Just 10k, abi 15k for 4 concepts.

He obliged and said I should proceed with the design. And then I let it out, oga what of payment naw, as in down payment (not my exact words o). He insisted I proceeded with the design.

Wo, company policy demands 70% down payment before any job as I need to brainstorm, research, probably hand-draw, before using illustrator. I made it clear, there's no way I am starting a project without down payment.

That was the end of our discussion. Designers and employees generally, are not beggars. Business people need to learn to appreciate designers. If you don't feel your designer should be paid a mouth-watering sum, you don't also deserve to get a contract, or you could as well run your business for free.

Idesignng
Waka4u

INSPIRING!!! It's true... Now I see things clearly, and will NOT entertain such clients.

If only all Designers can take a stand. Forfeit those measly bread-crumps, and earn your respect. Soon, only serious-minded clients will contact you. The (Other Things) won't waste their time contacting you, because they'll know you won't answer them.

So sorry to hear about this bro... Got my hand burnt too last year... designed flyer, wristband, necklace and shirt designs for a client and immediately he got samples which i foolishly didnt watermark, he ran off. blocked me off whatsapp,bbm etc. Learnt my lesson the hard way

lordmario:
So sorry to hear about this bro... Got my hand burnt too last year... designed flyer, wristband, necklace and shirt designs for a client and immediately he got samples which i foolishly didnt watermark, he ran off. blocked me off whatsapp,bbm etc. Learnt my lesson the hard way

Jesus Oh!!!

See wickedness by your fellow countryman!!!

At least, you know the name of his business. You can create a damning thread to soil his business name. An eye for an eye.

Abeg, my fellow Graphics designers, Receive Thee SENSE, Never start ANY work without seeing a deposit.

Catalyst007:
THE ONE ABOVE IS THE ONE HE SENT TO ME.

HERE'S THE ONE I DID TO HIS SATISFACTION...



[size=14pt]UPDATE:[/size]

---

Since The FOOL still doesn't want to pay me, I'm, offering this BADGE to the PUBLIC - You're FREE to use it!!!

BELOW is the picture of the Hood-Rat CLIENT with his COLLEAUGES... SEE as them dey claim JAMES BOND, when their CEO no fit PAY N1,500!!! Naija people dey FUNNY me sha.

Mr graphic designer,
here is my note to you.

1) Attitude is very important. It gets you ahead if well syncronized with skill.
Young man, your attitude is/was TERRIBLE.

You sent me the final edit, i approved and promised to pay up as soon possible.
You promised to send me the final delivery of multiple sizes as soon as possible as well.

You sent me ur act details March 28 at 12:11

March 29 at 17;54, you send me a message sayin

"Chairman, i don't understand the kind of business you think i'm running.
Why don't you want to make payment even when i'm done with the design?
In short, dont contact me next time for any job.
i'm going to concentrate on only foreign clients now....good day"

This got me thinking, what's wrong with this guy? Is he INSANE? Being rude cuz of a 24hr delay on N1500? N1500?
Meanwhile, i paid you UPFRONT for the 1st two jobs YOU RECENTLY did for me o!

ok fine, I hadn't sent you the 1500 after 24hrs but you hadn't sent me the final delivery EITHER.

Your skill got my attention and i was willing to enguage you well. MILBEN is one of the organizations
i OWN and i was going to ask you to do the full branding job for the school but your ATTITITUDE has failed you.

Forget your N1500, I dont need the logo from you either.

All the best young man!

Lastline: When the right/ideal things are done properly, it saves a lot of stories that touch hearts.

@Op, you had agreed to run a job without a down payment. And had gone ahead to do it without a down payment. You for exercise small patience, use diplomacy (subtle tone) collect ya bar. Lastlas, na make you gba your cash. Take am say u don jonz.

@Oga Milben, you should have heeded to that small voice (conscience) asking you pay for the service you got. We all know how the economy is right now too. Play the matured card.

Life is live and let live.
Adios!

N.B: this is coming from one who has had his fingers burnt too but I took it all in stride as a lesson. At least I was happy someone was happy.

hothead:



Mr graphic designer,
here is my note to you.

1) Attitude is very important. It gets you ahead if well syncronized with skill.
Young man, your attitude is/was TERRIBLE.

You sent me the final edit, i approved and promised to pay up as soon possible.
You promised to send me the final delivery of multiple sizes as soon as possible as well.

You sent me ur act details March 28 at 12:11

March 29 at 17;54, you send me a message sayin

"Chairman, i don't understand the kind of business you think i'm running.
Why don't you want to make payment even when i'm done with the design?
In short, dont contact me next time for any job.
i'm going to concentrate on only foreign clients now....good day"

This got me thinking, what's wrong with this guy? Is he INSANE? Being rude cuz of a 24hr delay on N1500? N1500?
Meanwhile, i paid you UPFRONT for the 1st two jobs YOU RECENTLY did for me o!

ok fine, I hadn't sent you the 1500 after 24hrs but you hadn't sent me the final delivery EITHER.

Your skill got my attention and i was willing to enguage you well. MILBEN is one of the organizations
i OWN and i was going to ask you to do the full branding job for the school but your ATTITITUDE has failed you.

Forget your N1500, I dont need the logo from you either.

All the best young man!

ATTITUDE MY BLACK A.SS! The reason I even knew you weren't going to pay, was the last design I did before this badge. You know my policy is PAY before service, I asked for payment, and YOU were busy telling me 'CASH IS TIGHT' - Now, that's a classic CHARACTERISTICS of a HOOD-RAT. How do you expect me to design something for you without payment?

Telling me CASH IS TIGHT, without at least, telling me when to expect the payment (delayed payment), was the first RED-FLAG I had about your HOOD-RATISM...

Everyone, if you notice in MY SCREENSHOT below, he kept quiet after I asked him when I should expect the payment, HE KEPT QUIET FOR A WEEK!!! ... Next thing you know, he contacts me to design the MILBEN badge.


True to my caution, he didn't respond well when I also asked for payment for the badge (even after finishing the design and sending the preview to him) - The basta.rd is claiming I didn't send the final email delivery to him.

YOU dey CRAZE!!! After forfeiting your previous design because 'CASH IS TIGHT', how do you expect me to trust you again, I have sent you the Preview copy (Without watermark), and you were pleased with it... Why didn't you send me the payment as you promised? You are there expecting me to SEND you the FINAL EMAIL DELIVERY of the design in multiple sizes and formats; so that if I ask you for the money after delivery, you go talk CASH IS TIGHT. God punish your Left NAS.H there!

As for you claiming my attitude attitude attitude, and inferring I've lost out from things to benefit from you in FUTURE, hahahahaha!!!! Who You Don EPP? ... YOU DON BAFF? (cash is tight).


#cashistight.......


Bro, go 4UCK YOURSELF TO DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lightheart:
Lastline: When the right/ideal things are done properly, it saves a lot of stories that touch hearts.

@Op, you had agreed to run a job without a down payment. And had gone ahead to do it without a down payment. You for exercise small patience, use diplomacy (subtle tone) collect ya bar. Lastlas, na make you gba your cash. Take am say u don jonz.

@Oga Milben, you should have heeded to that small voice (conscience) asking you pay for the service you got. We all know how the economy is right now too. Play the matured card.

Life is live and let live.
Adios!

N.B: this is coming from one who has had his fingers burnt too but I took it all in stride as a lesson. At least I was happy someone was happy.

@Lightheart, thank you sir... But, from my SCREENSHOTS above, I hope you saw that I kindly asked for my payment before starting the previous design.... I only designed the school badge without prior payment because, I was dreading hearing another Cash is Tight from him.

That's why I asked for the payment after I was done designing.

Catalyst007:



@Lightheart, thank you sir... But, from my SCREENSHOTS above, I hope you saw that I kindly asked for my payment before starting the previous design.... I only designed the school badge without prior payment because, I was dreading hearing another Cash is Tight from him.

That's why I asked for the payment after I was done designing.

Bro, tone it down. Remember Duncan Mighty track that year? Akoluche.

One big problem freelancers also get to face is knowing when to say no and mean it. It is well.
Hopefully, he'll pay you. Its the right thing to do.

*singing* Akoluche better pass.... *humming away*

Ehen...before I forget... e get one yarn for my language wey, when interpreted, talk say 'dem no dey use early morning know bad market'.