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I was first contacted about a certain job, for a hospital, on the 15th of March. Sent over quotes and din't hear from them for a mont or so. Then, I got a call from a graphic design firm, in Tallahassee, wanting to see the layout I had done on a previous job for this client. I emailed back and forth with these people several times and nothing happened for another FIVE months. The graphic designers finally sent their artwork to the client, who sent it on to me. Then we had to go back and forth with the designers about the bitmap/vector thing. We finally got the artwork to where we could use it and the client changed the specs on the signs. So, we had to send over more quotes; sandblasted and metal. When he saw the prices, he made more changes. We sent over drawings. But he changed more content on the signs and we sent still more drawings. When we finally got everything approved 7 MONTHS after first contacting us.... and my having to handle no less than eighty(80) emails and several phone calls corresponding with 5 different people, and giving them a FREE site survey 25 miles away, they give me a PO and want their signs ASAP. So, with no deposit, I ordered supplies, had the paints mixed in Pantone colors, got the signs done, then sent and invoice. I asked the "engineering director" to please expedite payment and he never responded. Yes, he could answer every other email within a day or even within minutes; but thsi one he ignored for a week until I emailed again..So after I had patiently waited a week for payment I sent him another email asking when my payment was coming. I got this response.
Wayne, You are scheduled to have a check cut on Nov 5. The standard payment is net 30 days and they usually hold to it unless there is some special circumstance. Next time you may want to request a portion of the payment with the PO to help defray some costs if there is a potential issue with cash flow.
"unless there is some special circumstance." Your company contacted us on 15 March, concerning this project. We handled no less than eighty(80) emails, sent several layouts, which you changed your mind on text content and had us send more. Then you sent emails and called us concerning expediting this project. We got it done as soon as we could after being FINALLY given the go-ahead, Then after driving 50 miles usng my gas and vehicle to survey YOUR sign location...FREE OF CHARGE, you have the gall to complain about a measly $13.75 charge for us having to climb a ladder to take down your banner. (while you sat on your keester and supervised)((((****my wife made me remove that part)) And to top it off; we paid for the materials with money out of our own pocket, and now you want to utilize our signs FREE OF CHARGE for a full month? Can you please see if you can make this a "special circumstance" and get our check cut. Wayne
So after no response to that, the next day, I called the CEO's office. At this point, I'm past the pointof careing.....I don't care if they never buy another sign from me again. This one was just too much sugar for a dime.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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If I didnt know that a client was a reliable one with whom I'd dealt before, I always had a "pay as you go" agreement. After a sizeable amount of work was done on a project, they had to pay for that much before we proceeded any further. Clents usually have no idea about how much work goes into a thing. They have to know that if they fart around they have to pay for indulging themselves. Screw all this being at self-centered bastards' beck and call.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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For a little perspective on this subject: In San Francisco, a cab driver responding to a phone order typically rings your bell, waits two minutes for you to come out and get in. If you're still not there yet, he starts the meter and you pay for the rest of the time he has to wait for you.
If he has spoken to you, in person, or on the intercom, then you have "made contact" and are then legally liable for the charges -- the "drop flag" and the waiting time. Excuses like I had to finish packing, or You got here sooner than I expected, etc., dont cut the mustard.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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Change your business name to "Webb Signworks & Taxi Cabs"...that shouuld solve it
Wayne I've had some similar scenarios with 'urgent' jobs needed & then they're wanting 6 weeks to pay... and there are two solutions: a polite explanation of how the job was so urgent that it is only fair that the reciprocal payment be made equally urgently, alternatley the fees go up to make the 6 week wait worth not complaining about.
-------------------- "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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-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
The CEO never called; his assistant did and gave me a long spiel about their policy. So I waited patiently and when she finished, I explained that our policy is 50% down, balance on completion, printed right there on the invoice and how that we have jumped through all kinds of hoops to get their project completed and that they return the favor by making us wait a month for our much-needed pay while they use our signs, she rudely interupted and began shouting me down. Then when I explained that I had listened patiently to her without butting in and she continued to shout me down the whole time. I finally said "that's fine, don't bother to call us for anymore signs." She said they would cut our check Friday. When I said why not today? She said they only cut checks on Fridays.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Update...... This correspondence involved two sign projects. At one location, the client who had placed the order and dealt with me, was sharing a building with another firm. The signs of both companies were to be installed on the same structure. Over a month ago, the client informed me that the other party was changing their logo(after their layout had already been approved). I informed him that if the artwok had to be worked on by us, there would be additional charges and if we had to install their portion at a later date, there would be an additional trip charge of $95. He said that he woould pass it on to them so they would get on the ball. Later, the client wanted his portion installed ASAP, so we installed theirs. The other party didn't get their artwork to us until almost two weeks later. Now they're hollering about the extra trip charge.
[ October 27, 2010, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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