How to close an incompletely paid project with minimal losses (Upwork)?

Question

Web development

We need the support of the collective mind. I had an impasse with a customer who is stalling and does not want to pay for the next stage of the project. There are no questions from him, he justifies the delay by the fact that "his developer must check everything." There is no money in escrow, as I foolishly started working without activating milestone. I do not want to continue working on the project after such adventures. The question is how to close the contract with minimal losses for JSS ? The entire history of correspondence is in the upwork messenger, there were no serious jambs on my part. The chat ended with an apology from the customer with a promise to correct the situation within a few days (10 days have passed since then, and more than a month since the delivery of the unpaid stage). Thanks in advance for any replies and any comments/advice on this situation.

Answer 1

Answer 2

You can make it like this

Answer 3

Well, they themselves wrote that, out of stupidity, they started working without funding money. Who will help you now? You have gained at least experience, so you don't have to worry, and jss will not fall only if the client closes the project with a good private review.
The main thing is not to be stupid next time and everything will be ok, and even better, work on an hourly basis.

Answer 4

It depends somewhat on the backstory, but there are many options.
Default :
Write a short story for him - when what was agreed, what terms were promised and how many days have actually passed. Write that this is a critical income for you, that you worked with him on trust, but in the end you do not receive the money you earn. To resolve the situation, suggest the next working day and time, and suggest checking the code together with the developer. Or invite him to appoint the NEXT day and time.
About not writing to him, but preparing an upwork letter with a description of the situation, and if there is no answer from him or there is no solution within the time frame set by you, then notify them of the bad behavior of the client.
At the end, you can write to him later that I see that your plans to comply with the agreements have changed, so I am forced to close the contract.

Answer 5

contact support

Answer 6

Leave the project hanging so the JSS doesn't fall.