I’ve been getting $1400 a month for website maintenance and SEO for a few months now. My client was supposed to pay me for the next 30 days on December 19th, but they said they’re waiting for money to come in before they can pay me. This is a pretty big company that does lab testing and tissue culture cloning, so I’m finding it hard to believe they can’t pay $1400.
On top of that, when the invoice was due, they canceled the contract, saying they couldn’t explain why because of an NDA. They promised I’d get paid in a few days, but it’s been a month now and nothing. My contract states they owe me two weeks’ pay ($700) if it’s canceled.
Should I take their website down or remove the work I’ve done? Or just keep emailing them to ask when they’ll pay? Is there another way to deal with this? I’d really appreciate any advice.
You might want to keep emailing them and see what happens, but have you thought about sending a formal past-due invoice via mail? Sometimes that works better than emails alone.
If they’re in breach of contract, you could take them to court. Just weigh whether it’s worth it for $1400. Maybe chalk it up as a loss on your taxes instead.
Tough spot to be in! Try sending one more email to remind them of the overdue payment and your contract terms. If they still don’t pay, maybe talk to a lawyer before making any big decisions like taking down their site.
Start by reminding them in writing about the payment terms and the $700 cancellation fee. Let them know they’re in breach of contract and give them a clear deadline to pay (e.g., 7 days).
If they still don’t pay, you might consider removing your work, but be cautious since this could lead to legal issues.
Sorry to hear you’re dealing with this—it’s definitely frustrating. Keep your communications polite but firm. Document everything, including emails, invoices, and your contract terms.
If you don’t hear back soon, you might want to look into small claims court. It could be worth pursuing since your contract clearly states the cancellation terms. Consulting a legal expert might help too.