TIL THEN, Death I really think Joel should have said more then that. It really looks like he does not give a shit about anything but the money. Am I the only who thinks like this?
Shizzle Fizzle I don't think he fully understands what's going on. He probably still thinks he's scamming the guy. It's easy to say be grateful, but I'd be pissed waiting two days in line at d bank.
@@facethestrange15yearsago81 just because I'm bored and I'm sure you already know this Joel donated most of the money to children who doesn't have enough money for school supplies(even his part of the money)
You've raised enough now to go to Liberia, present Joel with his copy of the book, get him to sign your copy, have enough left to pay him decently and yourself too. And interview him and find out what his life is really like first hand
I think it’s fair if he gets the money for the laptop, travel expenses and something to fall back on in hard times. As when that time his phone got stolen, anyway love the thanks message and hope that Joel got some more money than just the laptop expenses.
Ad is playing as I make this comment will do for the end of series. Thank you for doing this. In these times of division in North America this is one of the most human things I’ve had the joy of sharing.
To be honest, Joel has been a real tough employee. He doesn't seem like he's done much except walk around town take ugly pictures and ask for money. Sure he's found it difficult to get wifi and a laptop but well, if you're working on the side doing shady work like this, you're bound to make investments. He really doesn't deserve a big cut of the money.
Listen I get that you haven't received the indigogo money yet, but Joel deserves way more than 100 bucks. Give him atleast half of what you end with. That money could keep him from having to work in fields and odd jobs for a good amount time. He sounds like he's struggling out there. It will also allow him to focus on the photography.
If you guys make another book, you should put a little bio next each photo explaining what it is, I think it would give us more insight on the culture and lifestyle!
Inspiring story! Way to go Ben! I’ve really only been watching your scammer busting videos so I was very surprised to see the CBS story about this. Makes me wonder how many other scammers are doing it just to survive.
I guess i'm not the only one who needs to see the whole story till the end before i know if i should buy the book or not.. been watching since ep 2 but after that it kinda started smelling suspicious so i'll wait to see the series end before i shove any of mi moneys..
I think the money belongs to you and you should do with it whatever you feel is right. Now that you're in the spotlight every step has to be well thought. It's time for a plan and some PR, if you ask me. People spend their money on this book and neither they nor it seems you know what exactly to do with it. But in all honesty who knew this campaign would start so successful. What an awesome project!
liam b Except Joel hasn't done any hard work to obtain the photos, he complained the entire time. It was the investment of time and money from PleasentGreen that made this happen. 20% would be more than fair. PleasentGreen took the financial risk, they get the bulk of the payout.
agreed. Also dont forget that he technically was paid for the pictures already. All rights of the pictures and the book are pleasentgreen's. And keep in mind that joel initially tried to scam him for 10$ or so
From a business perspective 50/50 is not fair. Joe is easily replaceable with every other person in Liberia who knows how to use a camera and has basic computer skills. Pleasant Green on the other hand built an audience. When he is gone, the business is gone.
He is a scammer though. He messages thousands of people on Facebook each day begging and asking them for handouts. He'd do or say anything to get you to send him something of value. They all would. The only reason he stuck around when the camera was sent was for the promises of more riches.
When the campaign is done, I think Joel should get a copy of his book, perhaps along with some notes written by buyers saying what they like about it or whatever. This, in addition to his share of the profits, of course.
Find out how much he needs weekly and pay him that PLUS a little extra like a weekly check. That way he has steady income instead of some lump sum that he could waste
I think 2000 dollars would be a good pay check for the photo book. When I can I am buying that book I would love to see those pictures. I really hope and pray that this business is still going on in 2018.
I just have respect for Ben for just giving it a try and listen to what the person has to say but none for Joel as he keeps whining about something or the other. There are a lot of people out there who would work much harder than Joel and be grateful for everything done for him/her.
Joel's response had me dying 😆. Although, I think Joel should receive at least 25% of the book sales. With that said, you giving him $100 dollars isn't enough. By the grace of god Joel will get more money
He deserves AT LEAST 35 percent, he took the pictures, he reached out to you, he's the one living the reality of the pictures. It is an insight into his perspective of his life and he deserves to at least to have a comfortable bite of the income, regardless of his attitude or demeanor. He obviously does not have very good knowlegde of real buisness and it would be wrong to simply take advantage of his ignorance.
"Proceeds from this book will go directly to support Joel, his family, and his new business. With your purchase, you will have provided employment and hope to a part of the world where both are hard to find." So other than your expenses you are taking nothing? Not sending any money to charity? Please clarify more after the selling of the book is complete.
Give joel a big chunk. He came through with the pictures. It would make such a difference to him. You would want to send it securely though as he may get robbed
KingofHearts67 It makes a huge difference...The pictures could have been taken anywhere by anyone... It is not the pictures the people are in for, its the story and if that would be fake... then this would all be very pointless.
JC I think people have donated moreso because they were entertained by this story and they thought $10 is an ok amount for them donate without going broke from it.
Tim Johnson Jr doesn't matter. I prefer some of it goes to people who need it rather than a damn scammer. I supported this because he said all would go to charity
I think he should at least get 30%. Its a fair amount of money and really much for his standarts, so maybe not all at once, it would be a shame if someone robs or kills him because of that
Since sophisticated negotiating of profit shares or royalties probably are completely alien concepts to Joel, why not simply forward all profits to Joel after reimbursing yourself for actual incurred expenses? If you intend to keep some for yourself, you're ethically bound to disclose so beforehand. Otherwise, why should an unrelated charity of your arbitrary choosing benefit on a windfall basis from Joel's effort under your direction? If you're concerned about Joel spending so much money at once irresponsibly, have the proceeds periodically distributed to him over an extended period like an annuity after a sizable initial disbursement to both reward and encourage him?
I feel like Joel deserves 60 percent of the profits. Granted, he was only he photographer in the whole ordeal, but realistically, he needs it more and he could have just scammed you of everything you sent him, but he didn't Maybe it'll do more good directly sending Joel money than some organization that will take months to provide for Liberia and Joel may have a better life and potentially provide for others around him as well that are in need.
I mildly wish you'd give him around $100-$200 when you first get the money received from the books to show him how profitable this photography business is to possibly get him excited and enthusiastic about the photography and to generally see what he would do with the money and if he would leave the mini business you two set up
I think he know, that we are talking about four digit number but I also think, that he suffers from the hard work and don't expect to get much. If you would give him, AS EXAMPLE, 75% from the money then he will be very schocked, I mean we all know what kind of bad work they have to do there... and the payment of course...
It looks to me that you can really help Joe, just get your cut and give him all the rest of the money, I'm pretty sure he can use it more than anybody else involved in the business.