Can I cancel

[j_kesecker]

Can I cancel a contract with an unresponsive client?

[martina_plaschka]

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Jason K wrote:

Can I cancel a contract with an unresponsive client?

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You can end a contract any time you want to. Make sure you earned some money on it so it will not reflect badly on your rating. 

[j_kesecker]

I would feel wrong trying to get any money as I have not really done any work on the contract. So it would seem that I'm in a bit of a pickle. I have been waiting on the client for 2 weeks to get me the files needed to do the work.

[martina_plaschka]

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Jason K wrote:

I would feel wrong trying to get any money as I have not really done any work on the contract. So it would seem that I'm in a bit of a pickle. I have been waiting on the client for 2 weeks to get me the files needed to do the work.

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Have you accepted an offer yet? 

In the future keep in mind to only accept an offer when you have what you need to start working. 

[j_kesecker]

Yes, I did accept an offer. This was my first job on here.....live and learn I guess.

[martina_plaschka]

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Jason K wrote:

Yes, I did accept an offer. This was my first job on here.....live and learn I guess.

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Yes this ship has sailed. You have nothing to lose now, you might wait a little longer if the client responds or you have the chance to earn at least a nominal amount on the job. 

[petra_r]

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Jason K wrote:

Yes, I did accept an offer. This was my first job on here.....live and learn I guess.

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Is it an hourly contract or a fixed rate contract?

Do **NOT** close it yet. As it is, it's doing you no harm at all and won't for another month and a half!

If the client does not reappear with the files by then, that's the time to worry. Even a $ 1 payment would render the contract harmless asfar as your metrics are concerned, so you could submit for $ 1.00 if fixed rate or log 10 minutes of time writing to the client one last time.

IN FUTURE:

NEVER accept a contract until you have what you need to start working on the contract and complete the first milestone or log 10 minutes of work if hourly.

[j_kesecker]

It is a fixed-rate contract. If nothing I have learned a better way of going about this process. Thank you both for your advice it is very appreciated.

[petra_r · Accepted solution]

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Jason K wrote:

It is a fixed-rate contract. If nothing I have learned a better way of going about this process. Thank you both for your advice it is very appreciated.

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OK, so there is money in Escrow.

Under *NO* circumstances should you end the contract yet. It's only been 2 weeks. If the client is still missing in action in a month or so, submit against the fundest milestone, editing the amount to $ 1 so it doesn't hurt your metrics. But not yet.