Should I Meddle?

[MysteryGuest]

So I get a call at midnight from someone I don't know, claims she has a website emergency. Groggily, I tell her to email me. I open my box this morning to find the following tale. Another designer completed corrections for client's site and uploaded them to a test location on his own site. She says this designer can't figure out how to upload the files to client's own site ( a well-known host). Wants me to download the files from his test site and upload them to her site.

I check out the other designer's site to see if by some remote possibility he could really be that much of an idiot. Nope, seems competent and talented. Could he also possibly be unpaid? Ya think?

Well, I won't be getting involved with this client, because, well, life is too short. But I'm tempted to drop this other guy a line to let him know that it's not safe to leave the test files up while he's waiting for payment. I've been ripped off a couple of times this past year and it ain't pretty.

[AAA]

Yes, meddle.

[OWC Jamie]

Is this a test, or are you only risking more phone calls at midnight ?

[mattkime]

In my experience, people who have emergencies like this tend to have them repeatedly. They're not worth dealing with.

[graylocks]

what mattkime said.

[IronMac]

I'd inform the designer.

[PizzaGod]

I'd chalk it up to a bit of bad beef and wait for the Ghost of Christmas Past...

[Jimmypoo]

I would post the designer's stuff on your own, with changes for a different service, and ask why they stole your work!

[BigGuynRusty]

Listen to MattKime!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BGnR

[kj4btkljv]

This was a call from somebody you don't know? How did you let the conversation get that far if you don't know them?

It's your call if you want to tell the other designer. Maybe suggest that proof artwork gets marked with watermarks, or maybe pixelated artwork, or some other method to protect his work. I don't know...

Jeff