‘I’ll bump into you at some point’: Web developer takes site of client who refused to pay him for ransom, then the client threatens him

A freelance website designer has taken to TikTok to expose a client who refused to pay him for his services. After posting the video the disagreement boiled over leading to the client making a pretty nasty threat.

Lui Peng shared a video showing the landing page of the website he was working on for his client. Instead of showing what it should, there’s a blank page with a message that reads, “Should have paid your website developer.” Underneath Peng gives more details, writing, “Services were delivered. Payment from Joseph Smith Furniture remains outstanding.”

Honestly that seems like a pretty valid reaction. If Peng delivered what was agreed upon then he should receive payment which would have no doubt also been agreed before he started work on the site. Unfortunately, some people know no shame. Peng goes on to explain that he’s done a lot of work for Joseph Smith over the past year but he has not been paid despite trying to contact the client on numerous occasions. 

The client always had an excuse and it seems Peng had reached the end of his tether as he says, “if people don’t pay, feel free to get petty and retract your services.”

The client finally responds

Naturally, Lui Peng’s drastic action got Joseph’s attention, prompting them to reach out and message him. The client tells Peng to “come grab your cash,” clearly intending him to come in person. Peng, understandably declines to meet the angry client in person, asking him to just send it. Joseph refuses.

After much back and forth with the client refusing all alternatives they eventually tell Peng “play silly games win silly prizes” followed by, “You were actually going to get paid you silly boy.” The messages sound more like Joseph was trying to lure Peng to him for reasons unknown, however, the freelancer refuses to meet him in person. 

Then the client all but confirms he’s not to be trusted as he tells Peng, “now you have an enemy,” following it up with a vague threat, telling him, “I’ll bump into you at some point.” The message was deleted by the sender afterwards.

Clearly Joseph Smith was seething over the concept of paying someone for their work but he only has himself to blame for the matter. What’s more, the client could lose business on account of Peng’s video going viral, “we were just about to place an order with Joseph Smith Furniture. Won’t be now” one commenter wrote. “i just left tons of comments on their videos” added another.

Hopefully a lesson has been learnt here. Always pay your workers fairly for what they do and like Peng said, “feel free to get petty.”