Rant Required - WTF is up with India?

so, as some have seen me post on facebook, I'm miffed as all getout. I've had two 'clients' in India stiff me on payment for completed writing work. One disappeared, the other is online but isn't responding to messages or emails. I kindly informed both of them that I published the work online under my name, and if they'd like to use it they need to remit payment. At that point I'll transfer the rights over.

From doing some reading online I've come to find that there is a large majority of people just like this all over India, plaguing the world of the freelance writer. They seek freelancers to finish projects, offer fair compensation, then they ditch once they get the content they want.

I can't even begin to explain how frustrated I am. I've been in business for myself for two weeks and I've already gotten ripped off twice. Unfortunately, at this point, I refuse to do any more business with clients from India. I've had a large number of clients from everywhere else, particularly here in the US, and all of them have paid. The only clients I get from India, stiff me.

Blargh. Welcome to being self-employed. I hate the idea of forcing clients to put payment into escrow. It's unfortunate that a a large number of people over there are tarnishing the reputation of the many.

Rant complete.

Derek Cromwell is a freelance copywriter, generating expert, quality content and online marketing campaigns for businesses on the web. For information on copywriting and ghostwriting services, head to Thunder Bay Media