On a more serious note though I think it does highlight the problem we have in South Africa. Quite a few web service providers position themselves as once off product suppliers rather than business partners.

i.e. the view is that the website is something you sell once rather than a part of your business and there is a reason why you have a good partner managing it.

If you are treated (and paid) as a partner then you wouldn't have these kind of situations and when cash-flow problems do arise, you would have a mature and responsible relationship where guys can ackonwledge there is a problem and address it rather than it sinking to this level.