Client from hell + death threats...

[seobeginner]

Hey Everyone,

My partner and I landed an unstable client. He is EXTREMELY aggressive. Please help me out. Here is the story as best as I can tell it in the state I am in:

The guy helps people with gambling challenges. He charges between 1k to 5k and supposedly has a 90% closing rate.

We charged him 3k for doing some marketing work for him. If we didn't get results within 3 months, we agreed to give him the 3k back. Well, he refused to follow some of our advice (asking for referrals, etc.) and he slowed things down to a crawl.

I took a great deal of time to write copy for him, as well as set up other things. After a month, he said that he wouldn't be hiring people to do his SEO, as he was supposed to. Well, I spent considerable time building a good online presence for him, and without SEO to bring people in, his website would have been like a restaurant in the desert, with no roads leading to it.

In other words, I would probably have been forced to give him the 3K back, after he removes my sales copy, etc. So I was obliged to do the SEO for him. (I know my handle is SEOBeginner, but I am pretty good, he got a few top 1 rankings and I have other similar success stories.)

Since that (and other bonus things I did for him - at no cost - took time, I asked for a 1 month extension.) He ended up giving it to us.

Now, there are several things he hasn't been doing (including asking clients if they saw his website or YouTube videos, etc.) so we get credit for the work we did (20% of the profits.) Now he agreed to do it. It is in the agreement (that he refused to sign). My partner told me something that led me to understand that the agreement was signed. I didn't sign it either. That's a LONG, very complex story.

He has gotten leads from our efforts, but has not closed ONE person... or so he says.

Fast forward to today. The first date limit (Nov. 8th) has come and gone. He agreed in writing, as well as verbally that the date limit is Dec. 8th. Now he wants his money NOW, and he refuses to wait 'till December. He knows many loan sharks, and, I assume, goons. He threatened to send 3rd party collectors to my place, as well as my partner's place.

And before things started going wrong, he said at a meeting, ''If someone rips me off, they had better not start their car tomorrow morning.''

Recently, my partner wasn't putting up with his threats and said, ''I know how you work. If I don't pay you back in 48 hours then I shouldn't start my car tomorrow?''

Today the client said to me, ''I can't put a bomb under XYZ's car because he doesn't have one. But there are other ways to (...).'' I forget what he said next, as I was in shock.

Then his last call he said that I was in the same boat as my partner, and he was going to take the appropriate actions. I did NOTHING wrong. His assistant thinks he has psychological problems.

Now, my word is gold. The check will be in his mailbox on the 8th of Dec. I told him that several times, and he believed me the first times. Now he doesn't believe me. I think he is dangerous and unpredictable and I am afraid for myself and my girlfriend.

I will find the money for December, but I can't really pay before.

He may be bluffing, because he made the same threats two weeks ago to my partner, and nothing happened. He was in a great mood with all of us for a day, and now it is war all over again.

I am young and inexperienced with this type of stuff. What should I do?

Thanks.

SEOBeginner

P.S. By the way, I have several e-mails from him where he thanks me for the work I did, and that he likes it. So it's not like he is not impressed with the work quality.

[Bill Farnham]

Well, the world is full of fruitcakes...

Most people that make threats have a lot bigger bark than they do bite. It's the quite ones that can really do some damage.

If I were in your shoes I would seriously consider gathering all the documentation I have regarding this individual and make copies for a file you can mail.

Then I would inform the dude that you are not sitting still and taking his BS anymore. Rather you have compiled a file to send to the FBI (USA) if he ever verbally gets out of line with you again. Let him know that in the case of any funny stuff happening the letter will be sent in your absence.

Now the reason I say this is that I am a very large individual. When I was younger I got my jollies taking bullies to task. Once you open the door and allow that kind of abusive treatment you can expect more of the same. It's only when you stand up and face the tyranny head-on will you be able to make any progress.

If you need to give him his money back, give him his money back. Just be firm that you are not going to take any more abuse from him or any of his cronies.

Bottom line...if you cower, you'll be treated like a coward. If you stand up, you will get a dose of respect. You have to earn it, it's not fun, but you need to put a stop to the abuse.

KJ

[seobeginner]

Thanks a lot KJ, Indiana and Mark. It is very kind of you to help me out.

Anyone else has advice that is different from the above? I'll be taking your suggestions to heart and will be making a decision shortly.

Thanks for your time.

[Loren Woirhaye]

That somebody involved with gambling as a livelihood would
behave this way does not surprise me.

Some friends of mine did some special effects work for some
porn people who repeatedly told them "If you %8^& up we'll
kill you" - maybe because they were crazy, but maybe because
they are in an industry up to it's ears in vice, like the gambling
industry.

I'm not a moralist about it - it's just that lowlife hangs out in
certain industries.

Since you developed the content and haven't been paid
for it then when you return the money the rights to the
content are yours. I would go to the guy's competitors
and say ,"we built this for this guy but he didn't hold up
his end of the bargain, so since we've learned about your
industry we'd like to recoup our losses by helping one
of his competitors with our expertise"

[seobeginner]

Hi Loren,

Thanks for the idea. I'll look into finding new clients for the copy I wrote.

Much appreciated.

SEOBeginner

[Jhf14]

Wow. I would alert the authorities (that seems like an obvious)... even giving them the heads up is a good thing. Make sure you have a lawyer look at your written contract that both of you have signed. Last, I strongly recommend that you record conversations.

[loenex]

Be vigilant and prepare for possible attacks.

[Patrician]

Yes, I advise you to contact your local FBI office immediately as well as file a complaint with IC3 which the internet FBI... You want to document this. Send them the emails and if you can get full headers in your email client to show the IPs and the path that is best.

Take him at his word although he is probably a total liar.

Vague threats they are not interested but if someone threatens you with physical harm that is another thing altogether. They may even put a tap on your phone if you can get him to talk to you live. eMail may work anyway.

I have talked directly with them about an issue just like this and the agent was very clear on the minute somebody threatens you directly with physical harm.

As well this blowhard may be someone they would be interested in from the way he talks - You need to neutralize him PLEASE.

[tryinhere]

You have learned some valuable lessons, first if possible offer the money back and if possible you need to allow perception that you are working toward a suitable outcome at your earliest time for this person.

These type of customers just refund the money and get away from it, even if you can get an agree ment to a part payment in writing and the balance in December. also moving forward i would have a better policy to work under like a no refund policy or a pro rata refund for the balance of time.

If you do plan to have the full money back guarantee then you need to have that money placed away until that period is over to cover this from happening.

[seobeginner]

Thanks a million for all your great comments and advice. I got what I needed. It is time for me to move on to better things. Pretty soon this will all be a thing of the past.

I wish you all the best,

SEOBeginner