

So after my still developing issue, I went out trying to find some additional freelance work to help build up my portfolio and put some money away in the bank. I wanted to skip the oDesks and outsourcing sites and go for something I thought may be a bit better: Job Boards. So I checked out the 37Signals Job Board and found this post. How the brief was written scared me a little, but 37Signals charges a pretty decent amount to post a listing so I figured it was all going to be kosher. I added them to my list to contact and a few days later we spoke.

“phenomsolutions1″ messaged me with no introduction spitting out loose questions around his project. After his description of the product I informed him that doing this from the ground up would not be a inexpensive task. He informed me he had “loads of money.” After I quoted him, he quickly took that statement back and changed the scope of the project, we agreed on a price and the following conversation took place:

phenomsolutions1: Do you have a merchant? Me: I’m sorry? For payments/my invoicing? phenomsolutions1: yes phenomsolutions1: Credit card processing Me: My myself I use PayPal and invoice through FreshBooks. phenomsolutions1: I dont use paypal, or use my credit card through paypal phenomsolutions1: any other option? Me: Out of curiosity, why not? I will have to look into another option. Me: (We could run the project through oDesk.) phenomsolutions1: What if we run it through 99designs? Me: That seems odd. phenomsolutions1: why Me: I think I’ll pass. phenomsolutions1: Why? Me: Because that isn’t the way business should be done. phenomsolutions1: Why not :S phenomsolutions1: paypal isnt the end of the universe, paypal is where i lost about 4 grand last time i used it. phenomsolutions1: Like what the heck is wrong with 99designs Me: Because 99Designs is used for contests. There is a slew of things you could do to cancel out the process along the way. Me: I have to protect myself here as well. Me: (I’ve been screwed a number of times myself.) phenomsolutions1: I will start the contest and give you the login details for the account and you can change the passowrd and take full control. Me: It’s okay. I think I am going to pass though. Best of luck with your project! phenomsolutions1: fuck you phenomsolutions1: faggot phenomsolutions1: you dumb dickhole phenomsolutions1: dont fucking insult me phenomsolutions1: calling me a scammer phenomsolutions1: fucking pussy phenomsolutions1: ill fuck you up phenomsolutions1: bitch phenomsolutions1: mother fucker Me: How am I insulting you? phenomsolutions1: fuck you. phenomsolutions1: Fucking cunt. phenomsolutions1: you fucking insulted me phenomsolutions1: you fucking idiot. Me: How so? phenomsolutions1: dont fucking insult me by calling me a scammer phenomsolutions1: shut the fuck up now Me: I’m just protecting myself in this situation. phenomsolutions1: your name is JIM WALKER, and you type *NOD* every 3 seconds Me: Have a good day. phenomsolutions1: so shutup phenomsolutions1: fucking clown.

That promptly ended my bid to do any work with him or his company. Do any of you run into this type of client every once and awhile? Or worse, have any of you ever gotten burned bad by a client?