I was contracted by to do a site that was to be 'close to' an Aussie Internet marketing site. I realize making an exact copy while doable just wasn't cool. So I used the same layout and color scheme but made original images. Sorry I do have ethics.
I even told him about this before hand and said this site will be similar but not exactly the same.
I finished the site in about 3 days and email the man. No response. Email again several days. On Friday of last week I get strange notifications so I checked the server logs. Apparently he had hired someone else to clone MY site and then the put on a generic wordpress theme. Same content. Same Images.
I confronted him in an email he didn't even deny it. I even asked WHY. I could have changed things. He simply said 'I didn't like this'. Uhm... We had a CONTRACT. (Which I learned with Odesk.com as about as enforceable as toilet paper)
While sending this issue to a collection agency is unworkable (I STUPIDLY relied on the Odesk.com contract system), taking him to small claims court is an option but he's across the country and I would have to BE there for small claims court. Basically I was out the work and content for this website.
I asked him repeatedly to remove my content from his site and he REFUSED. I finally had to go after Odesk.com (the job broker site) and his web-host (Go-daddy). After the better portion of three days raising all sort of ruckus. I got work he had removed my content from his site. I am still out the money.
I repeat: do not do business with this man. He will screw you.
After looking on his Odesk.com account (which really isn't easy to find... And probably why he has uses it over other more legitimate sites (again hindsight is always 20/20). He has posted 96 jobs and actually hired 13. When a contract is canceled (and it can be canceled by either party). It does not show as completed successfully. I STRONGLY SUSPECT that he has done this to other contractors many times. Although I cannot prove this.
Result:
Obviously I am switching to job brokers and changing my practice to ensuring there is NO WAY this can happen again. Namely no client as access to HTML and images (watermarked photo-shopped images of a web page and flash amimation only) until payment is made. I am also contacting a lawyer to make sure any NEW gigs have a contract that IS enforceable / iron clad and CAN be turned over to a collection agency.
Again i repeat do not do business with this man.
If you are web designer or freelancer - Make SURE you have a contract and deposit before doing ANY work.
Odesk.com (and I suspect most others) aren't worth a damn! Get your own contract made up and have it SIGNED / Either electronically or old fashioned signature.
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