That one week in March where everything went sideways

Last March we had a client sign a $12k retainer on Monday then ghost us by Friday. The kicker? We had already hired a freelance designer for their project based on the signed contract. Spent the next two months eating that cost and scrambling to find work for her. Has anyone else dealt with a client backing out after signing?

3 comments

3 Comments

jordangibson1mo ago

Has anyone else had to explain to their accountant why you paid someone for work they didn't do yet? That was a fun meeting. We did the exact same thing last year, signed contract on a Tuesday, money never showed up, and I was stuck figuring out how to bill a designer for a project that didn't exist anymore. Learned real quick that a signed contract is just fancy paper until the wire transfer hits. Now I wait at least 48 hours before I even tell the freelancer to sharpen their pencils.

the_leo1mo ago

Client signed? Doesn't mean shit until the money clears.

noah_black1mo ago

I get the skepticism, but I think "doesn't mean shit" is a bit harsh. A signed contract is a real step forward because it shows intent and locks in terms legally. Sure, money can still bounce or a client can bail, but without that signature you have nothing to enforce. I've had deals fall through before the ink even dried, sure, but I've also had clients wire the deposit right after signing. It's not a guarantee, but it's way better than a handshake or a verbal "sounds good" email. You gotta take the win when you get it and just stay on top of the payment side.