From the startup who allegedly stole software and raised $2M with it
I think you're going to have a hard time here trying to convince a developer community that a "refund" is something a client is entitled to in a work for hire situation.You ask a developer to do work for you, they do the requested work, and you pay them.  If you don't like the work, you end the relationship.  But you still have to pay them for their time.I don't envy the next few weeks for you guys, but you definitely brought it on yourself by stiffing a developer on an invoice.  I suspect you'll come to regret having done that.As an ironic way of reinforcing the message, you're probably going to employ a lawyer on a work for hire basis in the near future.  He's not going to deliver a result that you like.  Try asking him for a refund and see how that works for you.Your best course of action is to pay the developer's invoice in full today.  Then edit the above post into an apology.