If you are hiring someone to do some web design or programming work, do you pay him:
1) before the job is done,
2) after the job is done,
3) or pay him a percentage of the fee upfront and the rest after the job is done.

I am asking this because I had problems with paying someone with Paypal to do some work and the job did not get done. I tried to submit a dispute with Paypal but never got my money back because Paypal only issues refunds for tangible goods sold.

So, paying someone with Paypal for a web design or programming job does not offer any protection.

I am dealing with a web designer at the moment and he requires 50% of the fee upfront and I don't want to make the same mistake.

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Advertise your websites on my signature. $5/month.

I am also wary these days from paying people before a task is completed as i too also got scammed and paypal claimed "it was a service and not goods therefore cannot help" .

Always go with someone reputable, they may charge a little more, but at least you know your job will get done to a good satisfaction and generally on time.

Also i tend to pay after a job is completed when possible, but if they insist and you think they trsutworthy, pay a % before the work. Never pay someone fully before the job is complete, unless they are a professional based company and even then i'll be a little skeptical.

I prefer escrow system for my projects. It sometimes helps. Otherwise I would like to pay only after completion of the work.

Most of the time I make sure the person has a reputation for themselves before I hire him at all, unless it is for a few dollars. Get to know your employee before you hire him.

If the project or the service contracted out takes days to be completed, I pay based on output delivered. I think that is just fair and reasonable.

May be your programmer has the same kind of experience, It's the problem service provider and service buyer face, but there is third option which is safer and trustworthy for both "Escrow"
It means you get 3rd party involved in the whole buying & paying system , and you keep your money with 3rd party instead of programmer at the start and when the job is done satisfactorily, money is realesd by 3rd party. This service is usually paid but save you from lots of hazards and loss in long term

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DO NOT PAY BEFORE THE JOB DONE!

I paid a designer before the job is done. He is doing it alright, at first, agreeing to what I want and such..promised to finish within a week and now it is almost 2 month and still havent finish.

Then he told me that the work is impossible. The design cannot be integrated into my website. WTF!! Now I asked refund and he only want to pay $80 from $275 I paid him..

I know his address, in UK. I am from malaysia. Do someone know how can I report this fraud to authorities? Im serious and need answer.

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paying after the job is complete is the best option, you can verify the work done and after you are satisfied you can do the payment.

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I never pay money to let other finish the work,but I always looking for paid to post jobs, and most of them will pay me once I finish the work. I don't think there are some one can pay me before I make the work. unless I have high reputation or itrade.