In summary, despite my better judgment, I was deceived by Erick when he failed to deliver a final, functional product. Our project commenced with preliminary discussions on July 1st, 2024, during which we established a price, scope of work, deliverables, and completion timeline.
Following multiple missed deadlines, Erick provided an unusable, error-ridden software. I mistakenly released the funds as he had promised to provide six months of “software assistance” and rectify the software. Over the course of several weeks, my messages from Erick went unanswered. I received sporadic updates that addressed one issue but introduced new ones. Months passed, and yet, another update emerged, fixing one issue but introducing two more. Throughout this period, every update resulted in a progressively less stable software.
It became evident that Erick would issue updates without thoroughly testing the software. The time between updates became so extended that Erick became unfamiliar with the agreed-upon scope of work, as updates no longer aligned with the necessary requirements. Just as I was about to contact CodeMentor, an update would arrive, and the cycle would repeat itself.
Erick admitted that he had taken on additional projects and would work on my software during his “free time.” Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into a year, yet I remained without a fully functional software. During this time, my business suffered significantly due to the error-ridden software provided by Erick.
I am deeply regretful that I allowed this situation to transpire. Hiring a remote freelancer carries inherent risks, and I am responsible for releasing the funds without a fully functional software, as outlined in the agreed-upon scope of work. Against my better judgment, I placed my trust in Erick’s ability to fulfill his contractual obligations. Time is a precious commodity, and I squandered a year pleading with Erick to complete the project when I could have easily hired a capable individual.
While Erick failed to deliver a working software, he did provide me with valuable insights into the work of freelancers. Regrettably, I was the victim of a scam, but I have learned a valuable lesson that will guide me in the future. Refrain from releasing any funds until you have 100% working software.
