The customer received a website without any formal contracts (I swear!). It was then hosted, and the agreement was that the remaining 50% payment would be made for the completed work. However, the customer started delaying the payment and eventually stopped communicating altogether.
Now, I am contemplating the most effective way to deal with this unscrupulous customer. I still have access to the working ftp, but simply demolishing everything seems pointless because they have backups that can be restored, and my ftp access has been closed. I am considering implementing some intricate backdoors. Do you have any other suggestions?
Take this as a valuable lesson for the future. I assure you that they only deal with long-standing, trustworthy customers. It's hardly worthwhile to waste time plotting revenge; it's better to invest that time in learning something new or going for a walk.
One possible option for an elaborate revenge would be to strategically insert a backdoor, such as $a($b), in various sections of the code. Then, patiently wait for a month until the backups unwittingly house the backdoor. At that point, transfer their website onto your server, implement multiple 301 redirects, register it under your own domain in Yandex and Google master, and within a couple of months, you can wipe out everything while retaining ownership of the traffic.
I once found myself in a similar predicament,
Where I decided to alter the main page of the client's website to a message stating, "The client failed to fulfill payment for the website development, therefore the site has been deactivated." The client attempted to restore the website several times using their backups, but I persistently replaced the main page once more. As a result, the client promptly settled the outstanding payment and, in addition to receiving the money owed, I gained a valuable lesson from the experience!
Please be aware that engaging in any actions with the client's website, whether or not a contract is in place, may be in violation of the law, which a negligent customer can potentially exploit.
Therefore, there are a few options:
1. As mentioned earlier, consider pursuing copyright protection as the sole legal avenue.
2. Alternatively, you could opt for a more covert approach by introducing a backdoor—ensuring that any actions taken remain secretive, anonymous, and aligned with the aforementioned strategy—for a period spanning several weeks or months.
3. Or, you can simply let it go and use this experience to learn valuable lessons on how to navigate negotiations more effectively in the future.
Once you have everything dоcumented, consider reaching out to the customer again. Approach the situation with politeness but also firmness, clearly stating that you've completed your part of the agreement and requesting the outstanding payment. Sometimes a simple reminder can prompt a response.
Another effective step is to send a formal invoice detailing the work you completed along with the payment terms. A structured invoice can sometimes encourage the customer to settle the account, as it emphasizes the professionalism of your approach.
If direct communication doesn't yield results, mediation is an option worth considering. Involving a neutral third party can help facilitate a constructive dialogue between you and the customer, providing a pathway toward resolution without escalating to more severe legal actions.
If all else fails and the amount owed justifies taking further action, it might be necessary to consult with a legal professional. They can guide you on potential avenues like small claims court or other legal remedies you can pursue.
Throughout this process, it's essential to be mindful of your reputation. Any drastic measures taken against the customer could backfire and tarnish your image in the industry. Maintaining professionalism, even in difficult circumstances, will serve you better in the long run.
Additionally, this situation can serve as a valuable learning experience. Reflect on how you can improve your contracts and payment structures moving forward. Implementing clearer agreements, requiring upfront deposits, and establishing more formal payment methods can help prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.