Have You Ever Been Ripped Off?

I recommend small claims court.  She really won't "get" her money because of the time it will cost her to go, but sometimes damn it you got to prove your point. 

With all the bad things that one could do online I think this person would be foolish not to pay the fee,

For that amount, I would agree to just pay the fee and move along down the road. Most likely her time is more valuable than to waste on that issue. Sad isn't it? But I would also later report that person/co to the Better Business Bureau.

Ginger,

It sounds like your friend just bought herself a $45 learning experience. Sad, someone would act like that.

Rich

Hi Ginger, $75 doesn't seem out of line. We routinely pay that much and more for updates to my branding site and I supply all the images and copy.

Real estate agents have a reputation for being cheap and people like this do nothing to dispel that stereotype.

I agree with Rich, your friend just paid $45 for learning experience.

Why do you feel the need to advise her?

Nah. No one has ever tried to rip me off. couldn't happen. Can I sell you a bridge or buy you some snake oil. 

That is a harsh lesson to learn. Most web masters don't release the work until paid, or have a way of re-capturing the site in the event they are messed over.

Have your friend contact Anonymous to conduct a denial of service attack on this agent's site. 

This kind of story infuriates me.  I come from a graphic arts background, and in my experience, people who don't do art or web work generally have NO CLUE about the time, attention, or trouble it takes to achieve the desired results.

To most clients, it may as well be magic.  I used to tell a co-worker I was going to put a magician's hat on my office door because my project manager was totally clueless about how I went about creating my work.  I should have asked to be paid in rabbit skins and rare metals.

There is absolutely no excuse for giving a hired hand, a craftsman, a technician or clerical help the run-around like you're some flim-flamming snake oil salesman.  To take advantage of someone's inexperience or inablility to collect is a crock.  I would not be calling this other "agent" a friend of any kind after pulling such a stunt.  Does he see every transaction as an opportunity to "get over" on someone instead of a way to bring people to an AGREEMENT?

NO. This is wrong in every way. I would not make any referrals or recommendations to this "agent" in the future and limit my contact in the office as well.

I'll still be boiling about this in the morning.

This is a really cheap lesson. I don't see a reason for you to offer advice unless you recommended the "agent" work with your friend.

It is a lesson in how to contract (in writing) and how to pick clients. I would have nothing more to do with this agent.

Wow.. we are not talking a lot of money either.. sad she got cheated, but time to move on .. can't really do much on this but learn why it happened and never repeat the behavior.

This is really sad.  I can't believe that the agent wouldn't pay tha small amount.  He just earned an enemy of nothing.  For your friend, I agree w/ Janis...and it is time to move on and just learn/change approach so it never happens again.  It's actually a very cheap leasson.  It could have been much worse.  Going forward, she should get everything in writing.

I wouldn't waste time on small claims court to prove a point over $45.  I would advise your friend to move on and focus on the positive, and not do business with this person again.  Sorry to hear about this, but there are people out there like that.  

Small claims court realizing of course it's not the money OR tell the realtor you will tell everyone you know.

Consider as tuition from the College of HardKnocks. . never do it again. .

I would think a conversation with the agent's broker might be in order. Might not make a difference, but the broker will be made aware that their agent does not act on the up-and-up. This might not be the first complaint, after all.

Ginger -- one word -- document....then say it over and over and over again.