When Clients Dont Pay
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- phirschybar
I have a client who has owed me $1000.00 now for over 5 months. He keeps telling me he will pay next week, over and over. So, I filed a small claim and last night our court date came up. He was a no-show but he sent someone to come in and request a postponement which the judge granted. We have another court date in mid-May and I am going to have a hard time making it back to NYC for the date. Anyone have similar cases? What can you do? How can people get away with not paying? I have spent too much timedealing with this guy that it almost seems not worth it. Anyone have any creative ideas on how to deal with this guy? Annoy him?
- GeorgiePorgie0
You hire a lawyer or a collection agency of some type. I have to be honest with you though, your rights as a contractor are lesser than that of a business owner in the US of A.
- rabattski0
ow man, that sucks. some people can be assholes. karma will get them though.
- UndoUndo0
"I have spent too much timedealing with this guy that it almost seems not worth it. "
unfortunately alot of people know this and abuse the system to not pay
- rasko40
start thinking what $1000 worth of personal hardship you can cause him.
- phirschybar0
thats fucked. I have this overwhelming urge to "get even".. like to key his car or something... I wouldn't ever do somehting like that... but I am finding I am having a hard time letting this go.
- jevad0
How did you get the gig? Do you know him?
- phirschybar0
jevad, good question. I actually got the gig through a magazine publisher who I know and love. I was contracted through the magazine originally to take photos for the client and THAT is how I met the client. I then started doing work directly with the client. The publisher feels terrible but there is not much they can do. Or is there?
- rabattski0
i had a couple of issues with some clients. still have one right now. solved it in various ways, never made it to a court case though.
- jevad0
Do they have a relationship with him?
- phirschybar0
jevad, actually YES they still do however, they (the publisher & co.) tells me that they wont do any work with the client until he pays me... hmmm
- rabattski0
the publisher can't do anything. except putting some pressure on him (if he's dependend on them though that is).
- rasko40
I have two clients owing me money right now for work done last year. But then again, yesterday I got a cheque in the post for half the money for a job I haven't even started yet.. that was nice.
- rabattski0
who makes money of whom? the publisher from the client or the other way around?
- jevad0
I would put pressure on the publisher to put even more pressure on your client to just pay you and get it over with.
Some fucking people....
- ********0
if you know their address sign them up for every magazine checking the box 'bill me later'
in the meantime git a lawyer.
- phirschybar0
rabattski, the publisher and the client are somewhat symbiotic... the publisher does advertising for the client and acts as an agency to bring in business... the client pays the publisher in sums of money and in trade.
- DavidFelt0
Whoever the client is... BUM HIM!
- tkmeister0
when you write a contract you need to be very specific on a time period and payment. having a lawyer definitely helps, do you have a lawyer friend?
i've done some stuff for a guy i know long long time ago, he owed me 500, and never paid up. i let it go. probably this type of people do this all the time and get by.
i just know that's not something i will do to people i work with. i am happy with how i live my life, honesty and integrity.
- rabattski0
so the publisher is more dependent? if so than putting any preasure would be tricky. unless the guy is a small fish / they can take a risk losing his business.
anyways, sue the bastard for more. get a lawyer.
- jpea0
good luck with getting the money... i'm going to small claims for the first time this thursday in hopes i can get paid for a project that started 2.5 years ago. yuck.
good luck