Client wants refund of Escrow amount

[#1]

This was a $100 project. I was previously about 2 tasks, when I replied I would do Task 1 in $100 because it would take 4 hours and my rate is $25 per hour. When I completed Task 1, the client said that's too little work for $100 and that he was expecting Task 2 in that as well. Task 2 was just an hour work so I agreed to Task 2 as well. Remember, the $100 were already deposited in Escrow. Now, he released and $50 and sent a request to refund $50.

Now I have done my 4 hours work and am even willing to put another hour for Task 2 even though that was early not part of the contract. So I deserve $100 and don't want to accept his refund request of $50.

Note: With the refund request, he has already closed the contract as well. So the contract has ended and he probably would already have left feedback on it.

My questions are:
1. If I disapprove his request, will this automatically open up a dispute?
2. Does opening a dispute with a client affect JSS?
3. What's your advice for me regarding what I should do in this situation?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

It sounds to me like the client you are dealing with is a bad client, and a bad person.

That is unfortunate.

re: "If I disapprove his request, will this automatically open up a dispute?"

Yes.

re: "Does opening a dispute with a client affect JSS?"

I don't think so.

re: "What's your advice for me regarding what I should do in this situation?"

The client has offered 50%. You will get $50 instead of $100.00.

I CAN NOT tell you what you should do.

But...

If IT WAS ME PERSONALLY...

I would grant the refund request.

Because I don't want to spend time dealing that nonsense.

But I would not work for that client again.

If it was for a larger dollar amount, maybe I would go to dispute.

I don't have time for a dispute over $50.00.

[#3]

Rejecting a refund opens a dispute, but he's already rated you so that's no longer even an issue. 

I'd dispute it, tell the mediator you want $100 or you go to arbitration. Client might just pay you, but if he doesn't, put up the $291 and this loser will fold. You get the escrow and the $291 back.

[#4]

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Irfan Ullah K wrote:

My questions are:
1. If I disapprove his request, will this automatically open up a dispute?
2. Does opening a dispute with a client affect JSS?
3. What's your advice for me regarding what I should do in this situation?

---

1. Yes

2. No

3. Your decision, but if you did the work correctly you deserve the money and might as well reject the request. The impact on the JSS / feedback is all already over and done with, you might as well get the money.

[#5]

Never refund money that is owed to you...not one dime. 
You can prove you did the work, you win. 

He doesn't know about arbitration...once he learns about it, he may back down and go away. You deserve to get paid. And letting these bad clients get away with it has got to stop. 

Reject.