posted
We occasionally don't get full payment for the work we do. It seems to be a fact of life when you are in business these days. We make some phone calls and remind them of obligations by post and or email too. I'm polite but very firm. They do owe me the money.
But I'm only willing to go so far. The folks who owe me the money are obviously not people I want to continue doing business with. They have a problem. I do NOT take ownership of their problem. It's time to move on. Taking someone to court over some minor amount is taking ownership of their problem. You are going to have to live with it until the date comes up. You have to travel to court and prepare your case... all this takes time. I'll bet each time you think about it and deal with it your blood pressure will jump a notch or two. Even you are successful in court a judgement often means nothing to these folks. To get your money you will have to continue to fight and fight and fight.
I have much better things to do with people I would much rather deal with.
That's why I am more than eager to cave in situations like this. And learn from MY mistakes too...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I'll be waiting to hear what happens!!! keep us updated!!!
-------------------- Michael Gene Adkins The Fontry 1576 S Hwy 59 Watts OK 74964 Posts: 845 | From: Watts, OK USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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quote:Originally posted by Neil D. Butler: You Said Minimum charge of $200.00 for design, so charge the thieves $400.00... Honestly this just boils my blood.
posted
That happened to me once. I phoned the client, who happened to be a municipality, and asked the difference between the price thecompetition gave and the price I gave. And I charged them that. I said to the guy, look, obviously they did not charge you for design did they? And he said no. And I said well we would have been the same price then, only we would have bricked the back of the walls that you see as you are leaving town. Sometimes you gotta think Mike. And sent the bill.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Carol, I'll send a contingency over to the hardware store to reconfigure the owner's thinking. You just say the word, girl, and it will be so. Sometimes deposits, contracts, clauses and handshakes aren't enough, but a STERN TALKING TOO by big nasty looking thugs will straighten the wayward soul right out.
Have a good NEW YEAR !!!!
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
I see the two ends of the spectrum with these problem customers.
One is passive and the other is militant.
I believe being passive is one very big reason we have so many problems with design theft in the first place.
Sure its not worth worrying about. Sure, it could cost more in lost time. But that is just the short run effects.
The long run is no one respects the designer. Thus it actually cost every one lots more. Look at all those posts here and every where about some client thieving a design.
It happens way too much. If every one makes the effort to get their work protected with good verbiage on their paperwork,, and then every one makes the decision to spank the next available design thief,,, Soon lots of potential thieving clients would never do it in the first place.
I watched it happen first hand. The client design thief went to court. Took a beating from the judge and had to pay. It didn't take long for that to get around the business community. I didn't see any design theft in town ever again.
-------------------- 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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