Hi all!
This is a long read.
I've been on Upwork for about 7 years in the Graphic Design niche. My profile has almost all 5* reviews (98%), I had 100% JSS (before the review) and I am Top Rated. I try to work as professionally as I can, to go above and beyond to satisfy a client.
Recently, I have stumbled upon a scammy client. In the interview everything seemed normal and professional. He told me that there is work for about 3-6 months, we communicated in English, and started an hourly ocntract.
After the project started, he basically wanted me in a "test design" loop because, in our interview, I had agreed to do 1-2 test designs for half the price so that the client could see that I could do the project.
After the first 2 test designs, he asked for a 3rd one, and 4th one.
Note that these were not standard designs, it is designed for products on platforms that offer member-customizable merch (the member can select various elements such as hair colors, hairstyles, man models, woman models, hand positions, backgrounds, texts, etc.. to be put on a cup for example). To design one product, it takes around 4 hours to design and adjust around 200+ elements, after which they need to be uploaded and programmed into the platform configurator to work.
The client was very satisfied with my first and second test/product designs that I completed and started asking for additional ones. His reason was that he needed to test his printing machines. I've explained to him that a test design, from my end, is to prove to him that I am able to do the design. If he needs to test his printing machines it is a whole other situation and it is not part of my job for which I was hired.
This is the main part of the scam.
I will summarize how everything went below. Please note that this is just a tiny portion of the agony that was happening for about 4 days.
I will copy my response to the client's feedback:
"Thank you for your review Benjamin.
I will summarize your scammy and professionally incompetent behavior from our project:
1) The most important thing is you have reported me to Upwork (SUED ME on the platform) with allegations that I am a scammer.
Upwork Administrators have RESOLVED IN MY FAVOR, because there were no discrepancies in my work and I have done my part professionally.
YOU'VE LOST THE CLAIM due to your untrue allegations. That is the reason why you have not received any money back. It was an Upwork Official response to your report.
2) You have tried to scam me for "free test work" for HALF THE PRICE, which was way more than enough for me to prove to you that I can complete the designs. After each test design (which is not standard designing and it takes around 3 - 4 hours to complete) you have asked that you need more. I've openly told you that this is not how test designs work and that I will not continue to charge half the price because it is still "Test Designs"
3) I have reported that some of your files have VERY SERIOUS VIRUSES, after which you have reacted angrily, accusing me of calling you a liar, and disregarding the virus issue. I have screenshots of Microsoft Defender recognizing the threat.
4) In the interview, you have communicated with me in English. Once the job started, you exclusively COMMUNICATED IN GERMAN and told me to translate everything. This caused a massive issue for me, because I've had to copy/paste your every sentence into Google Translate and write it back to you the same way. Also, a lot of meaning gets lost this way. This was not mentioned in the interview or agreed upon.
5) In the interview process, YOU HAVE NOT mentioned the deadline and the amount of work. You've only told me that there will be work for about 3 - 6 months since you're a "Serious and Professional Agency".
After 3 days, you have told me that 90+ fully customizable and complex designs need to be done in 7 DAYS. I have told you that this has not been mentioned in the interview, that it is not realistic, and that it can not be done with just one designer.
Your only response was: "If there is a will, there is a way.", which clearly indicated how unprofessional you were.
This is just a small "sneak-peak" of your unprofessionalism throughout the project
I am thankful to Upwork Administrators for reviewing and dismissing your report. They have saved me my money and the hours put into this project. It is good to know that someone is looking out for freelancers.
I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND WORKING WITH THIS CLIENT. HE WILL TRY TO GET A QUICK BUCK OUT OF YOU, REPORT YOU ON UPWORK, AND EVEN TRY TO GET BACK ALL OF THE MONEY THAT HE SHOULD PAY!"
The reason I am writing this post is to seek advice if anything, other than my response to the client's untrue feedback can be done to assist me. This situation hurts my profile, and since even Upwork has dismissed his dispute and ruled in my favor I believe that in those situations, there should be an option to remove the feedback since this clearly a review from an emotional client with intentions to hurt my integrity.
Thank you!
Moderator
