You are asking the age old question my friend.
Which comes first... The Chicken or the Egg?
Some clients would have you believe that paying post production is always best.
However your situation, is the exact reason that so many designers are going to full payment up front.
I would tend to agree with a client's perspective that post production payment is how it should be done... IF, it were in person, and you had direct contact with them... However, online... It's a different story.
You don't know who is on the other end of that DSL line.
The fact is that the client wants a designer, and are coming to you for service. If they don't like your terms, or want to pay afterward, it is ultimately up to you, but there are some things that you can do to protect yourself if you decide to take a post production payment option...
1. Charge More
2. When the project is complete, screenshot it, and slap a nasty "SAMPLE" graphic over the screenshot, for them to view, make them pay, and then deliver.
3. Make them pay a non-refundable deposit to preview the project, to show "Good Faith" on their part.
and I'm sure there are more ways.
A third option is to go 50/50 with them and require a deposit.
If they insist on paying afterward, and are not willing to pay anything before delivery, or want to make you wait... Just tell them to get it done somewhere else.
Most likely, if they are not willing to pay up front.... there is a reason. Someone once said that they don't pay up front, because the designers are lazy, and won't do the work in a timely manner if they already have the money.
My answer to that is... If you pay up front, and the project isn't delivered, you can get a refund within 30 days usually from the banking institution, by disputing it.
I can't think of 1 good reason for a client to insist on post production payment, unless he/she is trying to get some free work, and if that's the case... you're better off telling them to go somewhere else.
Anyhow, that's some of my views on the subject.
