A Journey To Remember

Few months back I worked for this company, let's call it X. X requested me to do a web mock up for another company. So actually company X is just a coordinator.. but i dont care, cos who's im liasing with is X.

I even met up with X one fine day, to settle the details and stuff. I THOUGHT i was quite smart, by not doing the main page, and let X to talk to client, when it's confirmed, i will do the subpage. And that time, X told me that the project is confirmed, nevertheless i still ask them to confirm first, in case there's any changes, no extra work will be done.

So we settled the amount to be paid, and stuff. I even requested for contract so it will be fair to the company in case I run away or what la. So they said, no need for contract.

After few weeks, i msned the guy. He said client haven't get back to them. And that went on for a few more times when i ask him as time goes by. So i wait. Until about 2 months later, I msned him again. He said the project was off. This is starting to be irritating. Firstly, they are so irresponsible, that they did not even inform me that the project was off. Never mind. At least i did my part yah?

Then after that i 'chased' him for the payment. I said even if the project was off, design fee have to pay, cos initially there was verbal promise that the project will be on. And they agreed on the design fee too. He said OK! and will discuss with his management.

I msned him a few more times after that, and all i get was the same reply.

Until there's once, he said the management said the design fee was too high, and somemore they're not using the mockup. HEY?!?! not using the mock up my fault?? You guys engaged me to design for you, and not using, so you push it back to me? So what if i can use back the layout? Layouts are more or less the same everywhere la.. it's already customised to the company, and push it back to me?

Then company X said they are willing to compensate my time and efforts. I said okay. $Y. He said okay, he will discuss with the management.

wait wait wait
wait wait wait

After like so many months, recently i finally able to msn him. He has been ignoring my msn. I asked "hmm so how's the payment going?"

He replied me that the management did not approve.

I blew up. yup, immediately.

This thing has been dragged for so bloody long. FIrstly, they aren't even responsible in informing everything. I have to ask and ask and ask. This equals to shrinking responsiblities and hope i dont bug them!

Then we sort of argued. In a very polite way. LOL.

Anyway, he said that the company said they have no right to pay me anything. 1stly, they are not using the mockup, 2ndly, they have no contract or any binding, got somemore forgot already.

Of course i got angrier. Because he said those are TRUE. yeah. I'ts true, but they're NOT valid. Firstly, it's verbal promise. So as a company, i trust them, they wouldn't do anything to spoil their reputation? But now i see their true colours. Out to cheat lah. or maybe 'conveniently' cheat. And i did mention about contract, so its fair to both sides, they said don't need. So meaning they should be responsible in what they do. And besides, using the mockup or not, is their problem. I did my job, they should pay me my share. The mockup is for their company already, a portfolio in their company, and they say things like this?

Then this guy say he cannot do anything, but he can fork out from his pocket. I said no, its not about the money, it's about how things are going like that, it's bad. really bad. I just told him that oh well, i guess that this whole thing is just badly managed that's all, i have really bad impression on your company. I can just dont want the money, but pls, dont bully freelances because they are freelances. We're doing our part, being responsible and produce work within your time budget, but you guys are like taking advantage of us.

Then never reply already.

I get really piss off when people take advantage of freelancers. take our mockups, and kick us away. I MAKE SURE I SIGN A CONTRACT NEXT TIME!! unless it's ape then ok.

I know some freelances run away just like that. But wth, i seriously think more companies run away from freelancers lo. zz. Freelancers dont need to live ar?? do work for free? To hell with it. grr. GRRRRRR

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I'm having family outing tmr. i shall be happy. MUFFIN!! let's go grooming grooming!! i ks already.