Former client owes me $2,000

how can I get them to pay....

[gmac17]

They won't return phone calls or emails. The payment is about 5 months overdure. They are a web based business in a medium profile consumer category.

I sold them clicks on my sites for several years. One thing I am considering doing right now is to create a page on one of my sites optimised for the name of their company, and perhaps writing of how they do not pay their bills.

I absolutely don't want to do this, or go to court (which would be pricey) but if telling the world they don't pay their bills gets them to pay up it might be the best option.....

any thoughts?

[encyclo]

You really need to ask a local lawyer. A simple consultation won't cost you too much (depending on the law firm!), and will give you a much better idea of what your options are.

I would avoid any attempts at "unorthodox" methods or attempts at revenge - it could bring a lawsuit down on you, and it could wreck your professional reputation.

[gmac17]

I know, I don't want to do anything stupid....

[faltered]

Have you tried threatening them with the phrase "I'm going to go to collections with this in five more days" or something to that effect?

Have you visited their business if possible?

[Essex_boy]

How have you built your case?

Have you documented your relationship?

Have you signed terms and conditions?

have you recorded (inwriting) all phone calls and their esponses?

Do you have copys of letters sent to them?

If you have then you may well have a strong case, id recommend going to see a lawyer that specialises in this sort of case, dont be afraid of going to court.

[walkman]

theirnamesucks.com will do. Just registering it might be enough to get paid. Try it

[hfwd]

Have you thought about small claims court?

[gmac17]

i have documented things, including a great email one of them mistakenly copied me on that says "I think we should just pay him and be done with it"

Small claims court is an option, but I'm 5 hours away and would rather not deal with it.

[PhraSEOlogy]

Sometimes its not worth the stress and hassle. I had a client owe me $6,000 which he never paid.

I didnt follow it up - too much time and effort for little reward. Other who were owed by him took legal action and had a stressful time - they never got anything in the end and they moaned abot it for months.

Is it worth it to you?

[Syzygy]

gmac17, you either want the money, or you don't. It's your call. The options outlined here are sound - so what are you going to do...? Come on, tell us...

(Go for it. Get what is owed to you!)

Syzygy

[gmac17]

today i sent them another invoice, and included a printout of the email they mistakenly sent me where they wrote "I think we should just pay him and get it over with".

I also wrote "i don't want to resort to other options but may have to...."

[oldskool79]

After 5 months you need to stop beating around the bush with them. As long as they think you are not going to go any farther with this, they probably won't pay.

Send them an invoice with a due date and state that if the money is not received by that date you will file a claim in small claims court to collect. If you don't get the payment, don't ask again. File the claim and notify them that you have. At this point, they may very likely decide to pay you.

[Teknorat]

If worst comes to worst send Guido to breakka their laeggs. :D PhraSEOlogy is right though sometimes it's just not worth it.

[rj87uk]

Tell them you will go to the news, press, etc...

You could hit some local blogs, tell there partners...

I wouldnt think any of these things would get you into trouble :)

RJ

[gmac17]

that brings me back to this:

I can make a google search for their name come up #1 in a week or two. I could create a page that says "Company X owes me $2,000". That might get their attention.

any thoughts?

[TinkyWinky]

You could always look to see whether a factoring company like Alex Lawrie would be interested (Bibby and others also).

You'll lose about 30% of the invoice but the factoring company pay you and then take on the debt.. nto sure if they do retrospective though - worth a look.

Good luck - screw the b**tards I say. Sometimes it's about principle.

[gmac17]

I will send another invoice this week and write that if it is not paid promptly I will file with the small claims court located at 322 North Main St. ..... in your town)

[ddent]

Consider how much your reputation may be worth to you - don't do anything that could be construed as anything less than professional.

Although in this case, you may not want them as clients ever again, something to keep in mind: a client may be late once on a payment. However, they may still be a client in the future... that is, if you treat them well.

[gmac17]

very good point, though I really want that $$$!

[Syzygy]

... I really want that $$$!

Then use every legal means at your disposal! Go get what is due to you - you've earned it...

Syzygy

[lawman]

Free legal advice is worth what you pay for it, and worth even less if it's from someone whose legal training comes from being a party in a law suit.

You can save money by representing yourself, but if you don't feel confident in your own legal skills, hire an attorney.

lawman

[Shane]

On your next invoice include your payment terms, Net in 10 days, 2% per month there after.

Also include a "Without prejudice" line.

Double register it.

I would be curious to ask why they do not want to pay it? Do they have a beef with you or your work? If so you may want to negoiate partial payment. They may be the ones advertising your bad business practises.

Free thoughts .....

..... Shane

[born2drv]

<snip>

Also give them the option of paying you the $2000 they owe you ASAP or terms of $500/mo or something + interest. Sometimes money is just tight and they want to pay... but if you gave them payment terms they might happily accept it.

[edited by: lawman at 4:42 pm (utc) on Nov. 10, 2004]
[edit reason] Recommending Extortion Is Against TOS & Foo Charter [/edit]

[lawman]

Enough legal advice. Thread locked.

lawman