Wwud?

[stand856]

Ok so lets hear what you guys think I should do.
Developed and hosting a website for a pizza joint. $20 to maintain it.
Owner starts acting like a b, that its not generating me business and I'm not getting any orders over the website. Online ordering was not a part of the contract, basic stuff was, menu, about us, etc. The contract was for a year half way into the year now. I tell him look you signed a contract for a year, he's like "I dont care, sue me". What's my next step?

[BusinessAdviser]

For only 20 a month for about 6 months? You'll likely have to just eat it, as it doesn't sound to be worth the cost of hiring an attorney, even just to have him write a demand letter.

[MASapparel]

yeah the same sort of thing happened to me sometimes its best to just suck it up and take your losses. Im not sure what you have into it but in my case it costs me $300 but thats not worth court to me.

[stand856]

$20 per month, he already paid 6 months worth, so there was another 6 months to go $120

[stand856]

I guess i should not be a $*&$ and leave this message on the site "The site is currently down due to non-payment from the owner of the restaurant. If you would like the site to come back, let the owner know."

[BusinessAdviser]

I guess i should not be a $*&$ and leave this message on the site "The site is currently down due to non-payment from the owner of the restaurant. If you would like the site to come back, let the owner know."

I would. I'd change the wording a bit, but I most certainly would.

[jasaunders]

Give it up. It's not worth it. And technically the owner probably owns the site, not you, so you could face legal ramifications for writing that on the site.

Hopefully you learned a lesson with this and it won't happen again.

[stand856]

I guess the lesson is: take the money upfront, and the way the contract was written he only owns the web address.

[Fonsecaliu]

Maybe you can redirect the site to his competitor! Just joking.

Leaving a nice note on the website is something that can be done.

But burn no bridges. Do do go down to his level to handle him. Be professional and I believe giving the note on the website is the best!

[stand856]

Well I can forward the traffic to another site, he wasnt getting that much traffic anyway.

[jasaunders]

You're being petty. He decided to break something that probably wasn't a real contract anyway, it happens all the time in small business. You learned a lesson in business about how to deal with people, now you will be better prepared to handle situations next time.

What is posting a message on the website or redirecting traffic going to do? How is that going to help you? It won't! It's stupid and immature.

Did you ever consider that you might be partly at fault. That you aren't delivering as promised or as expected. It's only $20, but maybe the owner expected you to do more to increase traffic (it appears his expectations were higher than yours). It's probably the case that you two weren't communicating clearly from the beginning about exactly what your role was and what he was to expect. Take it as a very cheap lesson learned and move on.

[2gould]

If you really want to do something about it, take him to small claims court and do it yourself. No attorneys necessary. Just bring the signed contract and tell the small claims court how much money he owes you. It is a simple easy process that really only costs you time. Plus he probably wouldn't show anyway.
So the question is, is your time worth it? However, I would not do anything to the site b/c that only speaks to your professionalism.

[stand856]

2gould and jasaunders
I know what i have said sounds immature, i did learn a lesson for the future, i wont be wasting my time with small claims court, because by the way it looks he wont be around in business much longer by the way he cried how his business is not doing well especially with 10 other pizza places within 1 mile range. So yes bottom line I'm not going to be childish and immature about the situation I will just take the site down and that will be the end of that.