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rachelweaver
15,876 PointsDealing with an unprofessional web designer that a client previously hired
Hello, I was recently hired by a client to re-design their website. My main problem is the old designer is unprofessional as all get out and refuses to provide the FTP information and admin information. My client was charged for the hosting and billed but the designer never provided the information. My client was not even an admin user and the designer gave them a hard time over granting them access.
This former designer even went as far as to claim they the hosting company and could not provide me with ftp or cpanel access or hosting information, because they are the host. This claim has been proven false. My client and I are trying to sort this out. In the meantime I am looking for a solution(besides a bad google review and contacting the better business bureau) in the event this designer does not hand over the information needed. So far I have come up with changing hosting companies. Any other ideas?
4 Answers
A X
12,842 PointsRachel, My recommendation is to stay out of the affairs between your client and this so-called developer because this looks and "smells" like a potential legal case between your client and the developer. If his/her site is being held hostage by the former developer, that's on your client to straighten out, not you...and getting yourself caught in a "middle-man" role can only hurt you, especially if this does end up becoming a legal issue. You can't do anything about this site held hostage matter. Your client can attempt cancel the hosting to the site that the developer is holding hostage or just (you) forget about the hostage hosting entirely and just switch to a new hosting company (as you mentioned switching hosting as an option) , and you can offer to rebuild the client's website on a new host. You can also download all the front-end coding like the HTML, CSS, etc. from the hostage site to save yourself some time and trouble. Unfortunately there's no way to get at the back-end coding. So ultimately, just go around this problem. That's really all you can do in such a situation.
I'd strongly caution you to constantly ask yourself: what is my position here, and what are my duties vs. getting too entangled with your client's prior business dealings.
alex novickis
34,894 PointsDon't take any answers as hear-say ... IE call the person yourself and ask them what the scoop is A lot of times these sorts of things are not what they seem from a one sided view of things
But, the only option is really to change the password with help from the hoster assuming you can show you paid them, or alternatively find another host assuming you have a backup of what you need
Still though I would first check in with the previous designer by call. There is usually a reason people act the way they do and you may learn something.
Shawn Wilson
iOS Development Techdegree Student 7,049 PointsI would advise your new client that it is their responsibility to provide you with the required information, there could most certainly be legal issues that pop up here and if you find yourself wading into the middle of it... it could blow up in your face.
I have gone through something similar and it did indeed go into the legal system, I was saved because i stayed out of it and advised my client it is their responsibility to acquire the account credentials. 2 years later it was resolved and i was able to continue.
James McGuire
3,272 PointsMake sure you cover yourself with the client by having a clear contract with them. As you can see from the other designer. Make sure you are clear with the business owner about the hours and pay they owe you. What you will and won't do. Not that they are out to get you but after this they will not want to get screwed again. Make sure they have a copy of everything and instructions for anyone that comes after you.
Kevin Korte
28,149 PointsKevin Korte
28,149 PointsI do agree here, it sounds like this may come down to attorneys, and how the contract between the now rouge designer and your current client signed.
Either way, nothing good can come from this for you.