I chased down $1000 for almost 2 months from adult.com a couple years back for some gallery templates. Should I continue? It's been my experience with MANY big "player" companies. Rush rush rush in the beginning, great communication...hell...sometimes you can talk to 2 OR 3 people from the same company in ONE DAY when they want the project done. Then when it's time to pay up...
"You haven't got that yet? I sent it out last thursday..."
"I sent it over to payroll, would you mind also invoicing them and I'll remind them..."
"I told xxxxxxx to send that out already, they didn't? Well, I am pissed, let me get on their asses..."
"Wrong wire number"
"Bank fucked up the wire"
"I was at the bank the other day and a robbery was going down. Well, I pulled out my pistol to try and stop it and ended up exchanging gunfire with the robber and shot him in the leg. Now, the FBI is all up on me asking me questions and shit about it. Been a crazy day man...I'll send it first thing in the morning."
(All excuses that I have heard since working in adult...including the last one.
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The sad thing is, I suppose most of them believe that we designers are dumb enough to believe the bowl of shit they serve up. Luckily now, I am working with guys I don't have to worry about that with anymore. Good luck LadyM. I feel your pain ma'am...