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PSA: I lost $1,200 on a side job in Austin because I didn't run a credit check on the client
Last month a guy hired me for some freelance writing work, he seemed fine at first, but after two weeks he stopped paying and I found out he'd ghosted three other freelancers in the same area, has anyone else gotten burned by skipping basic background checks?
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dylanmurray5mo ago
Did you try reporting him to the Texas Workforce Commission or get a signed contract first?
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wesley_martin5mo ago
Man I feel your pain. I once laid tile for a guy who swore he'd pay me the next week after I finished - I was so eager for the work I didn't even ask for a deposit or check his references. Turns out his last three contractors had the same story about him skipping town. Now I joke that I'm the only person who's more scared of the credit check than the client.
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walker.cole5mo ago
Get a signed contract before touching a single tool, and always ask for at least a third up front. I've learned the hard way that "next week" payments usually mean "next never" and a deposit weeds out the time wasters fast. Idk if it's different in Texas but here a handshake deal is basically worthless when they ghost you.
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