What do I do!

[Darthmaul]

So my new owner(pretty sure it's Mr. Snuggles on here, his alias is Digital), has completely disappeared. He is not responding to anything and he won't respond to me on skype when he is online. The problem is, we never got the files for the site, nor the license for the site transferred over before he just disappeared. The question is, what do I do? Is there a legal way I can issue a statement allowing me to keep the files without response in a certain time period?
Honestly this situation just baffles me

 

[Geoffrey]

Are you talking about Promotion Box? 😛

If so, and assuming he paid you for ownership of the site, you can't really do anything. It's unfortunate, but it's his site now. Now, if he never paid you, then you have every right to take it back over as you are still the owner (but I doubt that's the case). You have an obligation to hold onto the files, for at least a reasonable period of time, for when he does want them as well.

 

[Xyphien]

Are you talking about Promotion Box? 😛

If so, and assuming he paid you for ownership of the site, you can't really do anything. It's unfortunate, but it's his site now. Now, if he never paid you, then you have every right to take it back over as you are still the owner (but I doubt that's the case). You have an obligation to hold onto the files, for at least a reasonable period of time, for when he does want them as well.

This is honestly the same thing I was going to say. I'm sorry man 🙁 sadly this is the risk in selling to someone you know nothing about.

 

[Darthmaul]

I have been paid, yes. However since he has no possession of files, and I have no way to give them to him, I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I would feel morally unjust using the xenforo license myself. However, I do plan on making a backup of PB and just taking it down when the hosting runs out.

 

[Nerdie]

If I was in your situation I would make a full backup and then go ahead and send him a download link via email and PM. You can not really be held liable since you did already give him a place to download the files. You can also state you will personally hold a copy of the files locally for 30 days and after that you will not be held responsible which would be legal and do not believe you would have any issues.

Another alternative, if you would rather keep the site since it will most likely go into a black hole you could always refund his full payment and then proceed as normal.

 

[Xyphien]

If I was in your situation I would make a full backup and then go ahead and send him a download link via email and PM. You can not really be held liable since you did already give him a place to download the files. You can also state you will personally hold a copy of the files locally for 30 days and after that you will not be held responsible which would be legal and do not believe you would have any issues.

Another alternative, if you would rather keep the site since it will most likely go into a black hole you could always refund his full payment and then proceed as normal.

I was going to say the same thing, the only problem is, he (The guy Darth sold to) has control over the domain, so he'd be unable to get that back regardless until he gets back.

 

[Ashley]

If I was in your situation I would make a full backup and then go ahead and send him a download link via email and PM. You can not really be held liable since you did already give him a place to download the files. You can also state you will personally hold a copy of the files locally for 30 days and after that you will not be held responsible which would be legal and do not believe you would have any issues.

Another alternative, if you would rather keep the site since it will most likely go into a black hole you could always refund his full payment and then proceed as normal.

I was going to say the same thing, the only problem is, he (The guy Darth sold to) has control over the domain, so he'd be unable to get that back regardless until he gets back.

So really, would Darth have to buy anything back before he can do anything at all? Is that what you're saying? Never have run into a situation like this before and hopefully I'll never have to.

 

[Geoffrey]

If I was in your situation I would make a full backup and then go ahead and send him a download link via email and PM. You can not really be held liable since you did already give him a place to download the files. You can also state you will personally hold a copy of the files locally for 30 days and after that you will not be held responsible which would be legal and do not believe you would have any issues.

Another alternative, if you would rather keep the site since it will most likely go into a black hole you could always refund his full payment and then proceed as normal.

I was going to say the same thing, the only problem is, he (The guy Darth sold to) has control over the domain, so he'd be unable to get that back regardless until he gets back.

So really, would Darth have to buy anything back before he can do anything at all? Is that what you're saying? Never have run into a situation like this before and hopefully I'll never have to.

He would have to refund the payment if he wanted to take back ownership, and even then, if the current owner came back they could still have a claim to getting it back since Darth is breaking the agreement without really any cause. Taking it back because the owner isn't doing well enough with the site isn't just cause, unfortunately.

It's a terrible situation, I'll admit that, but really there isn't much Darth can do here. He sold it, he should just take the money and be happy and move on with his (e-)life.

 

[Ashley]

If I was in your situation I would make a full backup and then go ahead and send him a download link via email and PM. You can not really be held liable since you did already give him a place to download the files. You can also state you will personally hold a copy of the files locally for 30 days and after that you will not be held responsible which would be legal and do not believe you would have any issues.

Another alternative, if you would rather keep the site since it will most likely go into a black hole you could always refund his full payment and then proceed as normal.

I was going to say the same thing, the only problem is, he (The guy Darth sold to) has control over the domain, so he'd be unable to get that back regardless until he gets back.

So really, would Darth have to buy anything back before he can do anything at all? Is that what you're saying? Never have run into a situation like this before and hopefully I'll never have to.

He would have to refund the payment if he wanted to take back ownership, and even then, if the current owner came back they could still have a claim to getting it back since Darth is breaking the agreement without really any cause. Taking it back because the owner isn't doing well enough with the site isn't just cause, unfortunately.

It's a terrible situation, I'll admit that, but really there isn't much Darth can do here. He sold it, he should just take the money and be happy and move on with his (e-)life.

This almost sounds like something that could turn nasty if a person isn't careful! Yikes! Like I said, hopefully I never end up in a situation like this. This is partially why I'm sticking with the free software option and free hosting option.

 

[Geoffrey]

Yeah, it could get nasty. Hopefully it doesn't get to that point though.

This is why if you are going to sell, you need to fully prepared to give it up. Not everyone can stay connected to the forum and then if something like this happens where the forum is run into the ground, you're in a bad situation. It's best to just sell and get out if that's what you want to do.