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I submited a coloured drawing along with my price for a MDO sign so that a client could see what I was pricing on. A while later I get a call from City saying that they were isuing a permit for the sign. At this point I have not been told that I have the job. A few weeks later I drive by the site to see that a sign has been erected the same as my drawing with a minor change. The next time that I am in City hall I ask to see the drawings that were submitted for the permit. The exact drawing that I had submited with my proposal had been submited had nbeen submitted for the purpose of receiving a permit. I send a letter to the client along with a invoice in the amount of $75.00 for the use of my artwork. I get a phone call from the client saying that she did not understand why I have invoiced her. She says that she the sign is not exactly the same as my drawing. I say that you used my drawing to submit to city for your permit. She says that she will go to the city hall and get them back. I say but you have already used them. I got no whare it was like talking to a brick wall. Of coarse I will see no payment. It was the principal of it. NO MORE DRAWINGS WILL BE PASSED ON WITHOUT A DEPOSIT FIRST.
------------------ Joe Dinahan Artistic Design Ltd. Coquitlam,B.C. Canada joe@artisticdesign.bc.ca
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It's been said a bazillion times on this BB.......GET A DEPOSIT BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING! If they don't want to give you a deposit...YOU DON'T WANT THEIR BUSINESS!!!!!!!You'll lose a few here and their, but you'll avoid the ulcers!
------------------ Bob Burns Bob Burns Signs LETTERCRAFT SIGN SYSTEMS www.lettercraft.com 1619 Oregon Ave. Prescott, Az 86305 1-877-778-5879
Posts: 2121 | From: Prescott, Arizona, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Don't know about Canada, but here in "bomber country", our small calims court would make short work of that one, adding the $40 filing fee and another $25 for serving. $75 isn't much to mess with, but I'd nail her a$$ just for her actions. :^(
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
I don't know how the laws are in Canada, but here in North Carolina I'd.......
1) send a registered letter with a bill and an explaination of the bill giving her 10 business days to pay.
2) If she fails to pay, I'd then send her another registered letter notifying her of my intent to sue for "theft of services." Then I would go to the magistrate's office and file against her that day.
Something else you may want to check into is what kind of punitive damages you can receive. Here in NC, I can sue for 3 times the value of the theft.
------------------ Compost Happens!
:) Design is Everything! :) Glenn Taylor in beautiful North Carolina
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Don't doubt for a minute that she's used you. This was no innocent misunderstanding. And she knows full well you are justified in wanting to be paid for your time. She just wants something for nothing.
You did good in sending her a bill. If you let her know you intend to pursue collection it may have some weight. If you threaten it, follow through. Small claims court isn't difficult. File a claim and notify her to appear. If that still doesn't get a response, hell, go to court. Call it a training session. But don't throw up your arms and admit defeat without a fight.
By the way, do you know who the lowlifes were who plaigarized your art to underbid you? You might have a little chat with them too about business ethics. You'll feel better. Good luck.
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And the beat goes on ...We've all been there, done that. As your hand extends to your clients with your sketch about to leave your grasp, extend your other hand to your clients other hand and get the check for the sketch. If you don't do this, you know what will happen...don't you? This is my general rule for NEW clients. If they are established clients and you've done work for them for years....disregard this rule.
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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