Need advice

  • Started
  • Last post
  • 13 Responses
  • PonyBoy

    I have a client whom I've done much work for over the years. They're back for more work. Truth is I thought they would be gone because the last time around I didn't even bother to quote them on a few items they requested... I simply bailed on them.

    The reason I bailed is because of the other CONTRACTOR they use along side of me. This contractor usually ends up in charge of the projects for this particular client and in a way I end up answering to the contractor and not the client even though the work originates w/the client contacting me.

    In the past said contractor has STOLEN from me when in this situation... on more than one occasion. If I have quoted a project for $2k w/half up front... that means one should send me $1k up-front and another $1k to finish. Unfortunately said contractor seems to think that means one check for $950 followed by another check for $950. They literally snake $50 from each check w/out an explanation. The thing is they quote the client up front their cost too... then the client trusts that the situation will work just fine because said contractor they chose to run the project is also THEIR EX-FUCKING GIRLFRIEND. :(

    I want this work. There are 3 websites and a number of print pieces that could very easily bring in $8-10k in a month and a half depending on the final needs of the project(s). But now I'm stuck w/this thief as my 'leader' even though the client contacted me directly first but finished our initial conversation with: "Great! Glad you're on board... I'll call K**** and have her contact you about getting started." :(

    She has stolen from me a number of times over the years when I'm put in this situation. Not just with this one client either. (This 'thief' and I have been bragged-up as a team in the past when this one existing client has talked-us-up and gotten us connects w/other clients... I swear I feel like I'm stuck with her and just can't seem to shake her)

    I don't have the heart to tell the client his ex GF steals from me and shouldn't be in charge (she is someone whom he still cares about deeply... he's over 60 and she's in her 40's... not some 20-something BS... he truly cares) But... I don't want this situation moving forward w/her in charge of me getting paid... I won't put up w/her thieving from me anymore.

    Need advice:
    1. Do I tell the client I'm unavailable and just walk from this project and future projects to help him keep the peace w/his good friend and onetime lover?
    2. Do I tell the client his ex is a thief, that I'll have no part of the project if she's involved?
    3. Do I circumvent K**** and ask the client to pay me directly? (I fear this will start a Q and A conversation on 'why' I require he do this which could lead to the drama I'm trying to avoid)
    4. Do I contact K**** (the contractor) and call her out as a thief (w/more tact of course) and attempt to repair the riff she created? (I don't hate her... to be honest for YEARS we were great but then things went bad w/her financial situation and she became this little 'thief')

  • mg332

    Wheww... Sounds like a mess. Best advice:


  • terry_cloth-3

    #3. and then when the inevitable Q&A start up, #2 in as reasonable a manner as possible. either you bypass her and keep the client or it gets ugly and you bow out of the fray having stated your grievance and terms. most likely avenue of you getting what you want

    • I'd love to do this... I wish this was the route I could take but unfortunately I think I have to keep her involved to maintain peace w/the clientPonyBoy
    • yea i think these guys have the right idea. no point in messing it all up over getting burnt for 100 bucks. i hear you though, she pulled a fast oneterry_cloth
  • prophetone2

    No drama version? Say hey no problem and FIRST arrange w/ client to be paid directly via direct deposit before start - but why?... well, your new way of dealing w/ payments - easier, direct, efficient. No bigs, not unusual nowadays. Keeps middle-man out of it from get-go.

    • don't you think the client ought to know the truth though, would be doing them a favor down the lineterry_cloth
    • Is in past, let it go, will only poison well. Sounds like if info revealed PB will get the raw deal if client has to choose someone. Keep new $$ out of it.prophetone
    • yea, you are rightterry_cloth
    • Start fresh, stay professional, lock down money properly with direct payment. No need to stir things up. Contractor should not fight this, esp given situation.prophetone
    • Sounds like PB is respected enough by client to be first point of contact for projects so this should not be a problem imo.prophetone
    • Stay frosty, stay gold.prophetone
    • appreciate your thoughts here, prophet... good advice... thank you :)PonyBoy
    • No prob. Just set up the $$ first so YOU are going to be happy, can move on feeling good about it. Create some quality work for your client so HE is happy.prophetone
    • Good luck!prophetone
  • SlashPeckham0

    Ask to be paid directly and make sure you have a separate conversation with her about this - forget about the old, money that's all gone now dood

    • yeah... she and I need to talk... I just fear it'll get back to her ex / 'the client' and start drama or even worse: we create a shitty product for the clientPonyBoy
    • If it gets back to the client then this 'shit' will come from her - remember she's stuck with you tooSlashPeckham
  • ArmandoEstrada0

    Fuck it, get all $ up front in full or no work starts.

  • Gnash0

    nothing wrong with the exGF contractor getting a cut if it's billing through her. just quote with her cut in mind and keep it simple.

    ask her up front what her cut is gong to be 'this time' so that you can quote appropriately

    • this would require I call her out for taking money she knows wasn't hers to take in the past (she always adds her cut on top of mine/has her own quote)PonyBoy
    • It's just that she started taking more. She knows if I quote $2k she adds her cost on top... this was never in question.PonyBoy
    • ah, how pathetic. stealing $100 -- now you know what her integrity is worth.Gnash
  • spl33nidoru0

    Definitely don't walk away from the job.

    I'm with you on this but it sounds like you've allowed this "theft" (definitely don't use that word if you're to address that with either of them) to keep happening.
    Somehow, the exact amount you're charging must appear on your invoice, whether it's to him or to her. If it happens again simply point out that there's been a mistake with the payment and you've received XXX instead of the XXXX agreed on.

    But yeah, get him to pay you directly.
    And as a general rule save yourself a lot of anger and bitterness by addressing things that bug you as soon as they happen. She's not going to understand you being so mad about something you've never addressed before, so if you have the discussion, stay cool.

    • Indeed. :) It's my fault for letting it slide... cannot deny that. :/PonyBoy
    • < this seems simple enoughGnash
  • studderine1

    what the fuck? why would the client pay another contractor the full amount to then have them pay you? i don't get it.

    • it's the client's ex GF AND ex employee... he trusts her to run the show / manage this shit... so she does the billing / manages the money/project for him :/PonyBoy
    • Ah, I see. Just odd unless you are sub-contracting through the client's ex-GF.studderine
    • I'm not...but the client wants one quote which means I have to coordinate w/her... I'm trying to decide if I should ignore his preference and go directly to himPonyBoy
  • CALLES0

    Will there be any see involved?

    • lots... i see lots of seeing in the foreseeable futurePonyBoy
  • monospaced0

    Why are you so scared of basic business? They short your check despite an agreement and you do nothing? And you keep letting it happen $50 at a time it sounds like. I agree win terry here, of course ask the client to pay you what they agree to, fuck this girls $50 and if he has any questions tell him to take care of his ex so she doesn't have to rip you off for weed money.

    • Sounds harsh but it's just business and common sense. Nobody can get mad at that.monospaced
    • I wasn't clear... I've done nothing but try to avoid her since the 2 back-to-back instances where she snaked money from me...PonyBoy
    • ... two projects that were completely separate but going-on at the same time. The best business move would be to not do business with her... yes?PonyBoy
    • (I left out that the projects she took the money from me were occurring at the same time) When someone blatantly steals like that I prefer to just avoid them...PonyBoy
    • ... as the amount she took was tiny and wouldn't be worth the time in small claims court etc.
      I just DON'T want to work with her.
      PonyBoy
    • ... but it seems I have no fucking choice now.
      Make more sense?
      PonyBoy
    • there is a difference between being 'scared of basic business' and knowing when to cut your losses... would you agree? (read the next post for clarification)PonyBoy
  • PonyBoy-3

    mono... I hate notes... :)

    Chasing down the $200 she stole from me would have been 'bad business' in my book. It would have wasted time that I wouldn't have gotten back. Small claims would have cost more than I got back in the long-run (between time spent / money spent on gas and court fees... blah blah) so instead I opted to point-blank not work with her anymore and I haven't...

    ... until now... only because our 'joint' client is requesting it.

    She screwed me on two projects that were being fulfilled simultaneously... I SHOULD have spoke up when the money-down checks were missing $50 each... I openly admit that's my fault... but that is NOT what I'm asking advice about. :)

    I want to keep the work but avoid working with her and avoid her running the money... I need to figure out how to keep this from turning into drama while keeping the work moving along for the client.

    I can't even send out a quote right now because I'm still battling if I send it to her, the client and her... or just the client and let him coordinate her portion w/him (he will hate this though... he just wants this smooth and streamlined).

    • It all sounds unnecessarily confusing. I give up.monospaced
    • it seems to me that if you want nothing to do with this lady then the whole think is a loss and you might as well give the client an explanation so he at leastterry_cloth
    • knows what kind of shenanigans his ex is up toterry_cloth
    • *thingterry_cloth
  • PaulAllen0

    She definitely fucks.

  • inteliboy1

    Add an extra $50 to each invoice you send.