Missing videographer

Dave Blackhurst · March 30th, 2013, 12:25 PM

Two other things to consider -

YOU have the CONTENT, and presuming the clients want the video, that is one point in your favor - most people aren't going to get angry over someone refusing to turn something of value over, if they aren't being paid in full for it - the clients have a beef with their FORMER vidoegrapher... make sure to keep the focus on that.

Two, I've got no idea of how "oral contracts" are handled in Belgium, but you have an "oral agreement", and that should have some weight in light of it not being completed after you performed your part in good faith.

At least you've got "70%", presuming the clients have it and will pay that portion, if it's acceptable, you can certainly take it and make them happy, it NEVER hurts to be the guy who did the right thing (even though some say no good deed does unpunished...).

It's odd that the website went dark (have you done a whois to check the backstory on the domain, if it was a top level one?), the phone is unanswered, and there's money due... all at the same time... OTOH, it would be pretty odd for a "scam" to include "covering" an obligation - normally scammers just vanish as soon as they have the money, and cover their tracks with "fake" contact info and such. The possibility of a serious health issue seems most likely, or perhaps some severe personal difficulties...

Noa Put · March 30th, 2013, 02:06 PM

Quote:

have you done a whois to check the backstory on the domain, if it was a top level one?

I get a page with this message "This page is generated by Parallels Plesk Panel, the leading hosting automation software. You see this page because there is no Web site at this address."

Not loosing any sleep over it right now :) I just finished editing the couples wedding and will be meeting them in 10 days to deliver so should know much more by then.

Glen Vandermolen · March 30th, 2013, 02:41 PM

Interesting development.
Personally, I'd settle for the 70%. Chalk up the other 30% to a client finder's fee for the missing videographer. After all, it could lead to more clients for you.
I wouldn't bother the married couple. I'd rather they enjoy their honeymoon, without having to worry about the deal you made with the videographer. They had no part in it. All they know is they paid for a service. I'm sure they don't care how the money is split, just as long as they get the finished product.

Phill Pendleton · March 30th, 2013, 11:39 PM

Being ill she might have shut down her website as she might not be well enough to answer enquirers - no point advertising if you are incapacitated. Same for phone switched off, might need some space to recover. Hope this is the case. Your taking the job on was a wonderful thing to do, no doubt relieving the stress of the videographer and making the wedding a special day.
I'd take the 70% from the Bride and Groom and wait for a while for the 30%, not the Bride and Grooms concern. No Point stressing them out and as stated before, might get you some referrals.
Hope all ends well.

Chris DeVoe · March 31st, 2013, 01:33 AM

Use the Internet Archive Wayback Machine to see just how long her website has been around.

Bob Hart · March 31st, 2013, 01:54 AM

My guess, if she has been in the industry for a while and has suddenly gone off the radar, there may be something compelling and urgent happening, either the illness she has declared or domestic violence even may have forced her to go underground. There's no knowing. Medical or relationship issues are going to be kept confidential by service providers, so I doubt you will learn the entire story unless she advises you directly.

Whether it is a scam or not, I think you have served your industry well. Make sure the client knows and remembers you as the deliverer of their final product and instruct them that they should not pay any furthur bills that are sent to them from the original contractor.

My guess is the 30% you may have to write off as a loss-leader. It will be worth it in the long run, not to complicate the lives of the married couple, as they may yet refer other clients to you based on your good work.

Noa Put · March 31st, 2013, 03:20 AM

We can stop guessing as she send me an email yesterday evening, no explanation what happened but she wasn't sick anymore, she was going to transfer the deposit. Her website is still off-line though.

Chris Harding · March 31st, 2013, 03:45 AM

Hey Noa

Shucks!! There go the movie rights and the intriguing story of the videographer who disappeared off the face of the earth ...would have made rivetting watching but now we never get to see it.

However it's good to know that you are getting your 30% now!!

Chris

Adrian Tan · April 2nd, 2013, 12:18 PM

Yeah, you can't leave it at that, Noa! Ask her what happened. Story needs a conclusion. (And this thread might need to be transferred to members' only section as well.)

Noa Put · April 2nd, 2013, 01:08 PM

I"m a bit annoyed that I don't even get an apology for keeping me in the dark like that, you can be too sick and I don't need any details but just a reason, now it is like nothing happened, I responded to her last email with a another question but I don't get a response to that either. I"m dunno, if I need to take over again I will ask a copy of the contract first and a immediate transfer of any deposit to either the client or my account so I don't have to waste time anymore chasing ghosts :)

Al Gardner · April 2nd, 2013, 02:58 PM

Noa,
I would take the 70% and cut my losses. I think if you continue to pursue this person you will wind up causing harm to your own reputation.

Let it go.

AL

Noa Put · April 2nd, 2013, 03:17 PM

She said she was going to transfer the deposit so lets wait and see.

Steven Davis · April 10th, 2013, 05:49 AM

Man, I was just thinking Tom Cruise could be the star.............. but he's kind of old.

March 30th, 2013, 12:25 PM	#16
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Missing videographer Two other things to consider - YOU have the CONTENT, and presuming the clients want the video, that is one point in your favor - most people aren't going to get angry over someone refusing to turn something of value over, if they aren't being paid in full for it - the clients have a beef with their FORMER vidoegrapher... make sure to keep the focus on that. Two, I've got no idea of how "oral contracts" are handled in Belgium, but you have an "oral agreement", and that should have some weight in light of it not being completed after you performed your part in good faith. At least you've got "70%", presuming the clients have it and will pay that portion, if it's acceptable, you can certainly take it and make them happy, it NEVER hurts to be the guy who did the right thing (even though some say no good deed does unpunished...). It's odd that the website went dark (have you done a whois to check the backstory on the domain, if it was a top level one?), the phone is unanswered, and there's money due... all at the same time... OTOH, it would be pretty odd for a "scam" to include "covering" an obligation - normally scammers just vanish as soon as they have the money, and cover their tracks with "fake" contact info and such. The possibility of a serious health issue seems most likely, or perhaps some severe personal difficulties...

March 30th, 2013, 02:41 PM	#18
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Re: Missing videographer Interesting development. Personally, I'd settle for the 70%. Chalk up the other 30% to a client finder's fee for the missing videographer. After all, it could lead to more clients for you. I wouldn't bother the married couple. I'd rather they enjoy their honeymoon, without having to worry about the deal you made with the videographer. They had no part in it. All they know is they paid for a service. I'm sure they don't care how the money is split, just as long as they get the finished product.

March 30th, 2013, 11:39 PM	#19
Phill Pendleton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia NSW Posts: 71	Re: Missing videographer Being ill she might have shut down her website as she might not be well enough to answer enquirers - no point advertising if you are incapacitated. Same for phone switched off, might need some space to recover. Hope this is the case. Your taking the job on was a wonderful thing to do, no doubt relieving the stress of the videographer and making the wedding a special day. I'd take the 70% from the Bride and Groom and wait for a while for the 30%, not the Bride and Grooms concern. No Point stressing them out and as stated before, might get you some referrals. Hope all ends well.

March 31st, 2013, 01:33 AM	#20
Chris DeVoe Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 148	Re: Missing videographer Use the Internet Archive Wayback Machine to see just how long her website has been around.

March 31st, 2013, 01:54 AM	#21
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Re: Missing videographer My guess, if she has been in the industry for a while and has suddenly gone off the radar, there may be something compelling and urgent happening, either the illness she has declared or domestic violence even may have forced her to go underground. There's no knowing. Medical or relationship issues are going to be kept confidential by service providers, so I doubt you will learn the entire story unless she advises you directly. Whether it is a scam or not, I think you have served your industry well. Make sure the client knows and remembers you as the deliverer of their final product and instruct them that they should not pay any furthur bills that are sent to them from the original contractor. My guess is the 30% you may have to write off as a loss-leader. It will be worth it in the long run, not to complicate the lives of the married couple, as they may yet refer other clients to you based on your good work. Last edited by Bob Hart; March 31st, 2013 at 01:59 AM. Reason: error

March 31st, 2013, 03:20 AM	#22
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Missing videographer We can stop guessing as she send me an email yesterday evening, no explanation what happened but she wasn't sick anymore, she was going to transfer the deposit. Her website is still off-line though.

March 31st, 2013, 03:45 AM	#23
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Missing videographer Hey Noa Shucks!! There go the movie rights and the intriguing story of the videographer who disappeared off the face of the earth ...would have made rivetting watching but now we never get to see it. However it's good to know that you are getting your 30% now!! Chris

April 2nd, 2013, 12:18 PM	#24
Adrian Tan Trustee Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,149	Re: Missing videographer Yeah, you can't leave it at that, Noa! Ask her what happened. Story needs a conclusion. (And this thread might need to be transferred to members' only section as well.)

April 2nd, 2013, 01:08 PM	#25
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Missing videographer I"m a bit annoyed that I don't even get an apology for keeping me in the dark like that, you can be too sick and I don't need any details but just a reason, now it is like nothing happened, I responded to her last email with a another question but I don't get a response to that either. I"m dunno, if I need to take over again I will ask a copy of the contract first and a immediate transfer of any deposit to either the client or my account so I don't have to waste time anymore chasing ghosts :)

April 2nd, 2013, 02:58 PM	#26
Al Gardner Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego CA. and New Orleans, Loiuisana Posts: 355	Re: Missing videographer Noa, I would take the 70% and cut my losses. I think if you continue to pursue this person you will wind up causing harm to your own reputation. Let it go. AL

April 2nd, 2013, 03:17 PM	#27
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Missing videographer She said she was going to transfer the deposit so lets wait and see.

April 10th, 2013, 05:49 AM	#28
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Missing videographer Man, I was just thinking Tom Cruise could be the star.............. but he's kind of old. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?