Help! The guy I hired for copywriting 6 months ago doesn't deliver copy, return cash or answer email

[mathiaslebesby]

Hi.

I hired a respected copywriter in May to make a sales page for a (to me) big promotion I was working on that I was planning to launch this fall.

He accepted the job and received the money, but he later had some questions and concerns about my plans and the kind of guarantee I wanted to offer.
Then he stopped communicating and I haven't heard from him for months even though I've sent him several emails.

What should I do?
I don't want to reveal his name yet since I still hope things will work themselves out.

[dorothydot]

Agreed. This is totally unprofessional behavior. If something has happened, the least that copywriter could do is to let you know what's going on and why the copy is late.

Hope you hear from him soon - and can get your money back so you can hire a better professional!

Sincerely,
Dot

[Raydal]

Part of the agreement I have my clients sign includes when
I would deliver the copy, so you should have something in
writing that says the date by which you have the work
done. But if you are not getting answers int your emails
then that's another story. Hopefully he is still alive.

But 6 months? I don't think I've ever asked a client to
wait 6 weeks for their copy.

-Ray Edwards

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by mathiaslebesby

Hi.

I hired a respected copywriter in May to make a sales page for a (to me) big promotion I was working on that I was planning to launch this fall.

He accepted the job and received the money, but he later had some questions and concerns about my plans and the kind of guarantee I wanted to offer.
Then he stopped communicating and I haven't heard from him for months even though I've sent him several emails.

What should I do?
I don't want to reveal his name yet since I still hope things will work themselves out.

You haven't heard from him in months and yet you "still hope things will work themselves out"? We have a saying in Australia - from a somewhat cultish movie called "The Castle" - and it's this - "tell him he's dreaming".

[adamsad]

is he a famous copywriter?
that's must be a lot of money

[mathiaslebesby]

Originally Posted by Metronicity

You haven't heard from him in months and yet you "still hope things will work themselves out"? We have a saying in Australia - from a somewhat cultish movie called "The Castle" - and it's this - "tell him he's dreaming".

I my last email I told him I needed to hear from him this week or I would go public...
I hope he is noe sick or in jail or that something bad has happened to him!

Can I pm some of you guys and reveal his name? Maybe some of you know him.

[bigchezmktg]

Mathias,

You've been had.

Did you pay him in cash? If you used a credit card, you've got up to 6 months to go to your bank and report it as fraud (in the U.S.) and they'll do a chargeback. I'm not sure about Norway.

You can't exactly "threaten" that you'll go public, though. If your issue made it to court, that could actually be used against YOU instead of the focus staying on his cutting and running. (Unlikely that it would happen, but still better to be safe...)

Unless you paid him in cash (which I never accept and suggest that you never pay in), go to your bank and explain the situation. See if there's any recourse for you to take.

Bottom line, the copywriter should always accept half up front, half upon completion, never take cash, and should give you a firm deadline in writing on when the job will be done (I use a Contract, Scope of Work, and Payment for Services Agreement). Communication is everything.

Best of luck to you. I'm sorry you had this experience.

Rachel

[Loren Woirhaye]

As long as you don't air dirty laundry you can ask on the main
forum I think... ie. "has anyone seen or heard from so-and-so"
- explain that you have a business deal with the guy and
haven't been able to reach him. You don't need to throw
stones to ask if anyone knows where to find him.

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

As long as you don't air dirty laundry you can ask on the main
forum I think... ie. "has anyone seen or heard from so-and-so"
- explain that you have a business deal with the guy and
haven't been able to reach him. You don't need to throw
stones to ask if anyone knows where to find him.

Seems this guy goes M.I.A. regularly . I found at least two threads asking "Has anyone seen So&So?".

This is not a good look.

[scarpet1]

I would be emailing him daily, and calling him daily. I hope you got more than just his email before you sent him money? Become the squeaky wheel.

Good Luck

[mathiaslebesby]

Hi. Thanks for your help.

The excellent copywriter in question has sent me numerous emails and they have not reached my email account.
According to Gary Ambrose this can happen with email.
I have no reason not to believe him and we have worked things out now.

I PMed a couple of people and revealed his name. Please don't tell people, he is a nice guy and he has helped me out for a nominal fee in the past.


Thanks again!

[Raydal]

Glad that this was resolved for you. It's always good to investigate
rather than imagine things. Email is not always reliable, that's why
it's good to back up with a phone call every now and then.

I don't see why anyone would want to reveal information sent to them
in confidence--at least that's what PM means for me.

-Ray Edwards

[dorothydot]

Originally Posted by mathiaslebesby

Hi. Thanks for your help.

The excellent copywriter in question has sent me numerous emails and they have not reached my email account.
According to Gary Ambrose this can happen with email.
I have no reason not to believe him and we have worked things out now.

I PMed a couple of people and revealed his name. Please don't tell people, he is a nice guy and he has helped me out for a nominal fee in the past.


Thanks again!

Hooray. I'm very glad to hear all this has a happy ending. Hopefully you two can find some other way (skype?) to communicate and keep on working together for many years to come.

Dot

[brp002]

Its a good idea to get a persons phone number. Also make sure you interview him and gain trust from him. Any indication that he might not be reliable start talking to a new person.

Thanks,
Brian P