Old client asking for source files - advice needed!

Hi all,

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any advice!

For a few years I had been producing artwork for a mate of an ex (at a super duper cheap rate). I hadn't heard anything from this person for a good 10 months or so (let's call this person 'Alex') and my client list and work load had suddenly increased.

Then one day, I get an email from Alex, asking if I was available to produce more work. I responded (after some thought) with 'yes I am available to do this but not until 'x', and unfortunately I'm not able to produce the work at the super duper cheap rate anymore as it's too much work for not a lot of money.' When the reply comes through Alex is (as expected, because the super duper rate they had was originally haggled down from an already very cheap rate) not happy with the new (standard) rate, and asks me to justify why I felt the need to charge this amount. So, I write an email explaining how long things take, and the cost of equipment/software, and the fact I've spent 30+ years of my life honing my skills in order to be able to do this thing that they aren't able to do.

Eventually, Alex says that they aren't unable to pay this amount, and would I be able to send them the source file of the last piece of work I produced for them (let me just take a moment to explain that there was never a written/signed contract between us). So as a sign of good faith I say 'no problem' and send Alex the file. I thought that would be that.

It's now about 5 months later, and I have just received an email from Alex asking for the source file of every single piece of work I have ever created for them. This makes me uneasy as I feel like they want them in order to produce more work/pay someone else. I know it was my decision to decide to charge them the higher/standard rate, and I feel like I may have shot myself in the foot by giving them the latest source file when they asked for it a few months ago.

What do you think I should do? Because there was never an official contract do I need to give them these files?

Please help!

Great design resource

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Voices That Matter) Submitted August 10, 2018 at 03:58PM by amalthea1983 https://ift.tt/2vXkyPT