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In Australia they are called solicitors and ladies of the night are often picked up for "soliciting" without a license, but I won't go making any analogies there, because I think I could be screwed either way. Back in early november I quoted on work involving laser cut gold mirrored perspex letters and another sign which came to over $1,000. The work was done promptly after the quote was accepted and as I finished off I noticed that the old name was still on the front door. Being the kindly gentleman I am and as Christmas was looming up I said not to worry I would scrape the old vinyl off and replace it free of charge. Before we went on christmas holidays Liddy rang and asked if we could be paid. A lovely young girl on the desk apologized and said she would do a direct deposit into our bank. When we came back to work on 16th January lo and behold- no money. Liddy rang again and got another woman who said the other girl had no right to offer payment and that they simply could not afford to pay the bill. We were shocked at the response and asked to talk to the principal, who is always "in a meeting" as they are. After several calls he eventually rang back and said he was waiting for "an event" to happen and it was likely to be at the end of that week (3 weeks ago) and then he could pay us. This past Monday Liddy rang again and was told that he would ring her back. We rang our own solicitor (in the same town as us) and were politely told that he would not be prepared to do anything besids a debt of $1.000 is not worth pursuing as it would cost more to collect it than what it was worth. So these A$$holes draw ranks and look after each other, but it has made me more determined than ever to see justice done as this is a small town and people talk, so I will be telling all and sundry what is going on. Has anyone else ever had this happen to them?? I believe I will get the money eventually but he is just stringing me out. Please- no lawyer jokes, I am not in the mood.
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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They have an ethics board that does not take kindly to that kind of crap. At least they do here.. CAll teh local bar or what ever tis called there and make a complaint. They do not like theeves...
Then turn him over to the collection agency too. Put a dun in his file that will follow him around.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I don't know all too much about Australia, but here in Canada you could take this "solicitor" to Small Claims Court. You get to represent yourself so there's no "legal expenses" other than the filing fee of $25.00. If you document your case and make sure that all the t's are crossed and the i's dotted, you will usually succeed.
One thing that I've found is that there's nothing more "professionally embarrassing" to a lawyer than being hauled into Small Claims Court because he neglected to pay his bills. Merely the act of filing and serving him will get him moving, and he WILL find a way to satisfy your outstanding bill before the case ever sees the inside of a courtroom. Bear in mind that they have little to no appetite for standing before a Judge and explaining why they haven't paid you. If and when that happens, word very quickly gets around in his professional circles, and he simply can't afford to let that happen.
Call him back and tell him that this very Monday you will file a claim against him for the balance owing, plus any court costs associated with your action. I'd be willing to bet that he'll find the financial wherewithall to see you paid before then.
Believe it...I've been there and done that, and there's a certain satisfaction in winning one against a deadbeat lawyer.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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"simply could not afford to pay the bill"..
A lawyer who can't afford $1,000??? He's either a really bad lawyer or a really good liar.
Not sure how it is there, but here any collection costs would be added to the amount he owes you. That includes court costs, lawyer fees, etc. so "not worth pursuing" is bunk. It wouldn't cost YOU anything to pursue it, except the initial outlay in court fees that would be ordered repaid to you when you win. Even costs for Sheriff's sale if he didn't pay the judgement would be included in the stuff they'd sieze & sell.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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If everything else fails David, go get the letters and other sign. IF he dont have one, itll hurt business,and spread it around that he wouldnt pay for the work. If the shoe was on the other foot, he would make your life miserable for that thousand.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Dave, Here we have small claims court, but, I agree that that the embarrassment "before the action" just may light the fire under this attorney's butt.
I bet this guy has defaulted with others and maybe you can find out. We have a "Better Business Bureau" here and it's website reveals misconduct if reported by anyone else. You may be looking for an ethics board found in most countries and districts. Your library may be your best friend for information. I recently found some complaints about our gas utility company on there.
Dave I can relate to your situation as I my fall on the ice was at a place of business that a state's attorney has huge vested interests in, and to make things worse, all the attorneys I spoken to won't touch it, as I wonder, since he is a "State's attorney" at that. It's a bit more complicated in my case though. There was personal injury, it's not just a collection of services rendered. You should fare much better.
Since you run a professional business and have the right to collect for services rendered that were ordered by the attorney's workplace. After all, they came to you to get the work completed. If they try the angle that the "girl" in the office was to blame, that is no excuse. She was employed by them and they must take total responsibility for her actions, even if they say she is no longer working for them. Don't let them pull that on you either.
(It would be great to see a digital picture of your work for proof), especially because they can scrape it off if they feel you are going to take action; you did get one didn't you?) That would also do well to have, as well documentation of all the times of phone calls, names of whom you spoke with and the nature of the conversations. If it were me, I would make at least six copies of the letter of warning and then make sure it is sent to a your lawyer and maybe a relative or a collection business; enough folks that each person getting the letter will see it's sent to the others.
You could even add your resources as the international letterhead website with over 9,000 members, hmmmmm. Send him here! Good luck!
[ February 22, 2006, 06:21 AM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Small claims court, Dave. You file a claim, and pay a fee, and a summons gets served on them. A date is set if they don't pay up sooner, and you go to court with all your evidence in triplicate. They then take you both aside to see if they can't 'mediate it out first', before you confront the judge.
I did it 14 few years ago to get $700 of $1400 owed. The b*&^%$d never did complete the payment he agreed to in mediation, and the hassles & belly ache & wasted time for me were not worth redoing, but I'm glad I did it the once anyhow.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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get in touch with the bar association that certifed him, they will investigate and actually assign you another lawyer to represent you.
now how do you arrest a cop?
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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My brother is in sales, and he says the worst offenders in regards to paying their bills are doctors and lawyers - people who would seemingly be the most able to pay.
However, here in the states there are an overabundance of lawyers and most of these don't make all that much money......there's not enough big-time lawsuits (chum) to keep these sharks fed.
The advice above is the best: Small claims court and a letter to the local bar. Lawyers if nothing else have enormous egos - and these two ways of dealing with them seem the best strategy. Embarrass them into paying.....it's murder on their egos.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Hi Dave, From my experience with every deadbeat. After the initial terms of trade have expired deliver a final notice/letter of demand as soon as possible. Give then 7 days to pay or respond and make the terms clear on the invoice. Wait for it to expire before giving it to a good debt collector, give the debt collector signed authority to persue the matter to court with your consent if neccessary. If the debt collector is worth their salt they will give the deadbeat every legal chance to pay the debt before going for the jugular. Small claims is an option too, make sure your debt collector offers it to the poor chap before pushing him to the next level. There are several lists that your debt collector can use as leverage but I would seriously opt for the Baycorp list as it is the premier ****list. Once on it it, the deadbeat will be unable to get any kind of credit or finance until such time as they clear their name. In my case it took over 2 years and that was a case of identity fraud.
It's your money. I hope you get ALL of it. DF
-------------------- David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com Trying out a new tag: "Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth Peter Ustinov Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Mercy, but that is the height of intolerable rudeness and plain ol' bad business to tell someone to DO a job KNOWIN' they do'nt have the money, or have no intention of payin'!
You BETTER take him to small claims and please let us all know when you win it, 'cause you will. When a person loses in small claims, THEY have to pay the court costs. It will only take a little of your time compared to the satisfaction.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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The problem with the debt collection agencies is you will only get a small percentage of your money. I have always felt, the small claims coourt is your best bet and having done this in the past, I'd like to give you a few hints. Write everything down. Judges LOVE a paper trail...Show him the multiple bills you have sent, the recorded dates of the times you called and what the "butthead" or his underlings said, even photos of the work you did. Also, be totally professional and matter-of-fact when you go in front of the judge. Keep track of all your cost, such as the hour you spent filing at the courthouse, the trips to the office you had to make to try to get your money, etc. My experience has been, the judge looks at all this and says, "Pay the woman! And you have (so many) days to do that or she will be visiting us again here at the courthouse and we throw your sorry butt in jail!" (I am paraphasing here, but you get my drift.)
Another thing you can try (before the court appearance) is a visit to his office when there are people in the waiting room. Speak LOUDLY! "I have a bill for Mr. ____ that is 108 days past due and I was just wondering why this hasn't been paid and I am here to collect a check." AGAIN, be totally professional and be VERY careful not to say anything that can be considered "untrue" or "libelous". Ask to speak to him directly IN the waiting room and tell them you will wait if they give you "He's in a meeting"! Then if he doesn't come out, start up a discussion with people in the waiting room about why you are there, again loud enough that the entire room can hear...bet he will come out fairly quickly! I did this to a florist in town and he came out and gave me hell for being so "unprofessional" but I got my money.
I HATE collections!! BUT when it gets to the point where I feel I have to do it, I am like a bulldog!!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Yeah, and I seems so mind mannered, don't I? I just hate people trying to rip me off! I take it for so long and then it eats at me and I feel like I have to "GET'EM!" My next step is to team up with Kayrn & Kissy and we are goin' on the road...Letterchicks with a mission...what do ya say ladies!! But really, I have only done this a couple three times, and it is usually after months of trying to collect. But then I take it personal and look at it like they are taking money from my family! NOBODY messes with my FAMILY!
[ February 22, 2006, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: Jane Diaz ]
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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1. A shovel. 2. A couple of buckets. 3. 2 bags of quickrete. 4. Some water (You'll need the shovel again). 5. A pickup truck. 6. A boat
Instructions.
1. hit the bastard on the head with the shovel. 2. While unconcious, stick his feet in the buckets & pour the quickrete. Let dry. (You may need to repeat step one.) 3. Load onto the truck & take to the dock. 4. Load onto the boat. 5. Discard package at (at least) 3000 feet*.
* If you plan ahead, you can rig the boat to go fishing all the way back. I dunno how it works there, but here... No body, no case! (You can ask him right before step one!)
LOL!
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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quote: The problem with the debt collection agencies is you will only get a small percentage of your money
True,, but at taht point revenge is the better motive.. And a collecion on someones account always a good thing for revenge..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Q: What's wrong with lawyer jokes? A: Lawyers don't think they're funny and other people don't think they're jokes
Q: What's the difference between a lawyer and a vulture? A: The lawyer gets frequent flyer miles.
Q: What’s the difference between a shame and a pity? A: If a busload of lawyers goes over a cliff, and there are no survivors, that’s known as a pity. If there were any empty seats, that’s a shame.
Isn't it a shame how 99% of the lawyers give the whole profession a bad name.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
posted
Thanks for some great replies and also some laughter at their expense. As I stated justice will be done. Last week Liddy did ring the Queensland Law Society who said that there was nothing they could do as they deal with lawyers who dud society. He said that as far as he could see on his computer they were registered and had nothing wrong against them. When Liddy mentioned that the girl there said she was also wainting on catchup wages he then became very interested and said "Really, I didn't hear that". He then gave us a local phone number to ring for free legal advice ($20 donation). Liddy went there yesterday and the guy there gave her some good advice. There are 2 small courts, one is Small Claims Court and the other is Small Debts Court. If you go to small claims then the judge would toss it straight out. He said to write a letter of demand stating that if you weren't paid in 7 days then further action would be taken with these words at the end "Without further reference to you" which he will recognize, and realise that is a legal term knowing we have hadvice and are serious and which means that he has no excuse for not knowing or remembering to send the money. If nothing happens, then we pay the fee to go to the small debts court. Liddy wrote a good letter and posted it last night so he will recieve it this morning, so i will keep everyone posted on what progresses. In the meantime I really do like lawyer jokes and thank you to all for some good advice.
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Karen, Yes, everyone needs one in their family....but, then they would be negotiating everything up to the Christmas dinner menu, and then maybe we'd have to sign a contract for every move around the house!
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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I had a boss who got a bad check from a restaurant owner. After numerous phone calls trying to get ahold of the headbeat, Bob snapped. He wasn't a real patient man to begin with and when I was calling repeatedly just trying to get through, then leaving messages that weren't answered, he had enough. Just so happens that this restaurant was on Bob's way home from work. He comes into the office Friday afternoon, wants the returned check. When I walked in Monday morning, the cash was on my desk.
Wish I had been there to see this transpire... Bob walked in on a Friday night during supper rush, waving the bad check over his head, speaking very loudly wanting the owner to know "if he's gonna make good on this rubber check he gave me."
Is there a lawyer convention in town soon?
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Three magic words that have worked for me on occasion......... "CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY" I don't know how things work there but...
CrazyJack
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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David, good luck with the low life. When you send the final demand letter, send one regular mail and another one "certified mail, return receipt" or your equivalent. Then you have a signed receipt proving that they received the letter.
If he still doesn't pay after you have won in small claims court and got a judgment against him you can then look into filing a mechanic's lien on the property. The lien will just sit there until he tries to refinance or sell. Then before anything else you have to be paid.
-------------------- Dawn Ellis Signs by Dawn Long Beach, CA signsbydawn@aol.com
Trust yourself. Listen to the voice within. It is always right. Posts: 456 | From: Long Beach, California | Registered: Jan 2003
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Another lesson I am in the process of learning. Document or diarise everything. Notes of conversations, phone calls, correspondence or any kind of contact. The debt collector I use has a fee structure that max's at 10% of the total of the debt. Only one failure so far and she left the country. In a couple of cases I'd be happy if the debt went to charity so long as the deadbeat pays the bill.
Lawyer truism: Q. What happens if a lawyer moves into town? A. He'll go broke.
Q. What happens if 2 lawyers move into town? A. Pretty soon they'll own half each.
HTH, DF
-------------------- David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com Trying out a new tag: "Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth Peter Ustinov Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Kayrn--a lawyer!! I shudder to think!! Kissy--you're in charge of the brass knuckles... David--keep us posted. Now you have us all interested in what happens. Go GET'EM!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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David, it's too bad Jane isn't there to handle this ##%hole. Folks like that need to be punished. Jane has more tricks up her sleeve than "Carter" has pills. They almost always have the "embarassment" factor tied in. People hate to be embarassed.
We were out for supper one night and she had an overdue account with her and an address. This guy had storied her (not a good idea.) She knew the guy in his 40's still lived with his mother, and at 7:30 we were at the poor soul's mother's house, and Jane was at the door.
The mother said her son was in bed (yeah right) and Jane said, get his a** up, he owes me money. To my amazement, next thing I knew he appeared in his pajamas, and said his check book was in the garage. Jane said, "Go get it!"
Now with egg on his bright red embarrassed a** face he wrote her a check in his pajamas. We went over to the grocery store and cashed it, so if there was insufficient funds it would be the banks problem.
That woman is a collection agency within our company, and if any poor fool owes us money, she's on them like a bull dog. In a small town word of this spreads fast, and needless to say, nobody would dare take a chance and try to stiff us.
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Making note to not get into debt w/the Diazs...heheh
I've got a collection story that actually worked!!! Same deal, an attorney; refused to pay for gold leaf windows and showed knowledge of law w/remark that job was now "permnamently" installed and I'd go to jail for removing it...so...having a small amount of "lion bait" left from hunting year before, I donned a heavy wool coat, soaked it w/bait and went to his office w/all paperwork relating to debt and when they informed me at desk, he was busy, I said ok, I'd wait as the money was important to me... It wasn't long before smell attracted everyones attention and the police were even called...cops refused to act as what I was doing was totally legal(act of collecting) and being as there aren't any laws on books as to ones personal hygene, their hands were tied, couldn't take any action, office is public domain, so they left, willingly.... Finally after about an hour, attorney who owed showed up w/handkerchief around face like a mask and cash in hand!!! I went home, burnt coat and took three baths a day for what seemed like a week to get smell off, but it was well worth it, some even relate to that story today in conversations around town, attorney has since moved on to other pastures....heheehheh Oh, did I mention his office WAS full of ppl. when I arrived? Not so when I left, I was totally alone, smell was terrible, two of his staff took off rest of day because of smell...lol
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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Frank, that is one of the best stories I've ever heard. I only hope I have an opportunity to use that technique. I'll have a hard time keeping a straight face though.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Lawyer wanted his name on the window in gold leaf. Price was set and I did the job. This was back in my younger days before I knew enough to not trust lawyers, to get a deposit, and all those things that save headaches today.
While I was doing the window he decided that he wanted his name on the door and some other work done inside, to which I agreed.
When the gold window was done, I presented him with a bill and he said he wasn't paying until the job was done. My reply was that the job was done and that payment was due. He went into this rant about me being dishonest and wanting payment before the job was done and that he could sue me and take my business...etc, etc.
My reply was that we agreed to a price for the window and that no more work would be done until payment was made for the original job.
I listened to some more ranting and then got into my truck and drove off.
The next morning the lawyer died of a heart attack.
Luckily, his widow was very nice and found the invoice and sent me a check about two weeks later. I had already written it off as a bad experience.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Frank, I couldn't stop laughing after I read your collection technique...truely a classic.
Raymond, Your story gives a whole new meaning to the term: Dead Beat Lawyer.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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quote:Originally posted by David Fisher: Another lesson I am in the process of learning. Document or diarise everything. Notes of conversations, phone calls, correspondence or any kind of contact. The debt collector I use has a fee structure that max's at 10% of the total of the debt. Only one failure so far and she left the country. In a couple of cases I'd be happy if the debt went to charity so long as the deadbeat pays the bill.
Lawyer truism: Q. What happens if a lawyer moves into town? A. He'll go broke.
Q. What happens if 2 lawyers move into town? A. Pretty soon they'll own half each.
HTH, DF
Dave, as this is the first bad debt we have had in about 20 years I had almost forgotten how to go about getting things started. I know it is no good retrieving goods because I would leave myself open for theft, besides I don't really need a sign with "XXXXXX Solicitors" on it. The one saving grace about this whole affair is the internet. All emails have the exact time and date of all written word, and Liddy did "Diarise" all phone calls and there is no way he can now come back and say there is anything wrong with the work or any other excuse for that matter. The one thing I didn't remember to do was what Dawn said. We should have sent the second certified letter. There is a member of our golf club who is a retired baliff (who also happens to be an ex champion heavyweight boxer) who told Liddy he would be only too happy to serve the warrant if need be. the countdown has started, 6 days left to see where we go. Frank Magoo, you are one funny dude, I was just lucky I wasn't drinking my coffee when i read that, but I must admit, I don't think i could bring myself to trying that. .
[ February 23, 2006, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: david drane ]
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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A fictional story I remember hearing about a lawyer and a sign painter:
A cocky young arrogant lawyer was setting up his office in a big city skyscraper. Each day as he got out of the elevator and headed toward his new office, carrying files and books, he walked right past a sign painter's office. The glass door to the sign painter's office advertised the fact that he specialized in lettering interior office doors.
As a week or two went by and the lawyer was close to opening his new office, he stopped by the sign painter's office to see if he could get his office door lettered. The sign painter's secretary told the young lawyer to take a seat and the sign painter would be with him shortly.
A half hour went by and the impatient cocky young lawyer bounded up to the secretary's desk and demanded to see the sign painter. The secretary asked him if he would like to come back another time and that the sign painter had a client at the moment. The lawyer wanted to know how much longer it would take and the secretary told him to be patient it shouldn't be too much longer.
Another 15 minutes rolled by and the sign painter finally called the lawyer into his plush office. The lawyer was a little taken back by the wait and not in a very good mood, but he gathered himself together and asked as politely as he could if the sign painter could letter his office window and how much would it be.
The sign painter said he could letter the window and had lettered most of the windows in the building and that it would be $100.
That sounded reasonable to the lawyer so he asked when he could do the lettering. The sign painter told him to see his secretary and she would get the job scheduled.
The secretary asked him to take a seat and proceeded to take 2 phone calls at 15 min. each before she could schedule the lawyers job. Now the lawyer had been at the sign painter's office for over and hour and really didn't need to hear that it would be 2 weeks before the sign painter could get to him -- especially since he planned to open the next day, but he did take the sign painter's advice and stuck a magic marker sign in the window of his new office informing his clients that this was his place and that a more professional sign would be forthcoming.
When the 2 weeks was up the sign painter performed his work as scheduled and promplty submitted his bill. When the lawyer got his bill he asked his secretary how long it took the sign painter to letter the window. His secretary had her desk facing the office door to be lettered and witnessed the entire lettering process. She said he completed the job in 15 minutes -- start to finish.
The young lawyer thought about it and became angry when he divided the 1 hr by the 15 minutes and multiplied it by the $100 charge.
He walked right down to the sign painters office and demanded to talk to the sign painter. The secretary told him to take a seat, and he was livid when it took 15 minutes for the sign painter to see him.
Once in the sign painter's office he had to wait another 15 minutes, because the sign painter was on the phone, and once he got off the phone, the lawyer's voice was quivering as he demanded to know how the sign painter could justify charging $100 for a 15 minute job since that was a rate of $400/hr. He then said, "hell, I only charge $200/hr. and I'm an attorney.
The sign painter propped his feet up on his expensive mahogony table and said, "yeah I know what you mean, when I was a lawyer that's all I ever made."
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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well you could do what our V.P. just did.....shoot em!
-------------------- Aaron Haynes Aaron's Signs & Windows Napa Ca aa4signs@sbcglobal.net ------------ Important Rule For Life: "Look out for number one... Don't step in number two" ------------ If your never the lead dog on the sled...the scenery never changes. Posts: 241 | From: Napa Ca. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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My next step is to team up with Kayrn & Kissy and we are goin' on the road...Letterchicks with a mission...what do ya say ladies!! 
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