pay me please

[flutes_and_fabric]

CHECK WATCH IS OVER!

just opened the mail and there it was. This is now going towards text books and supplies instead of holiday gifts as I had hoped. Oh, and a copy of assassins creed 2 for me ^^

Here's a timeline:
The job was on Wed, Dec. 15.
I signed the contract on Tue, Dec. 6.
I got the check Mon, Jan. 11.

[Broomjockey]

And with media being the scum sucking magots of the earth they are, I'm sure they would be salivating at the chance to expose something like that.

My that was an abrupt Fratching turn.

[Magpie]

If I were you and had future dealings with this school, I would demand payment in advance, and have that in the contract. How far in advance is up to you, of course, but definitely prior to you actually playing. If they question it, merely bring up this situation as the reason why. "I'm sorry, but due to the delay in my getting paid for the December '09 concerts, I must insist on being paid in advance for any concerts I play for you." Make it their fault....since, of course, it is.

Mystic, I like the way you think, but I would add a little bit more to the threat, as illustrated (additions in blue):

The idea of payment in advance is nice, and good in general, but standard payment for a one-shot musician (at least around here) is that best option is you get paid day-of. Maybe they can hand you the cheque when you arrive, but if you insist on getting paid in advance you're probably going to lose gigs to the surfeit of musicians on the job market, who are used to getting paid after the fact.

[Kristev]

And on a judge show, you do get your filing fees back. What you don't get is time and hassle pay.

[Shalom]

If it's a religious organization, quote Deuteronomy 24:15 at them. The second half of Leviticus 19:13 says more or less the same thing. Might be interesting to see what they say to that.

[Aethian]

Since it is Sunday now and mail doesn't come on Sunday's...any update F&F?

[Mystic]

Good call on the media. You figure with records like that being open, they would pick up on it immediately. And with media being the scum sucking magots of the earth they are, I'm sure they would be salivating at the chance to expose something like that.

[Andara Bledin]

Oh, yes, do not be afraid to bring up the spectre of the local media.

Having a religion-affiliated establishment jerking you around over what amounts to a fairly small payment (for them) makes for excellent local news.

^-.-^

[Jester]

f I were to deal with this school in the future I would make them add interest to the contract.

I'd do it again, but would request to be paid by check in person after each performance, not in a lump sum at the end.)

If I were you and had future dealings with this school, I would demand payment in advance, and have that in the contract. How far in advance is up to you, of course, but definitely prior to you actually playing. If they question it, merely bring up this situation as the reason why. "I'm sorry, but due to the delay in my getting paid for the December '09 concerts, I must insist on being paid in advance for any concerts I play for you." Make it their fault....since, of course, it is.

Mystic, I like the way you think, but I would add a little bit more to the threat, as illustrated (additions in blue):

Me: Is this the contract you signed?
Them: Yes, it is.
Me: So by reading this, you understand you are now in breech of this legally binding contract and subject to legal action if your end of the contract is not fulfilled?
Them: *Deer in headlights*
Me: You have 24 hours as of this moment, *say time*, to have a valid cheque or cash in my hands or you will be taken to court, and I will also be contacting *local newspaper* about this. I don't think that is something the school would appreciate. You've had *amount* of days to legally fulfill your end, and I've been more than generous enough to give you this amount of time based on your words. Time is up and I will take you to court and make sure the media picks up this story to alert others about the dangers of dealing with this school if I don't receive the money owed to me for my services. Good day, sir.
*Exit*

[Reyneth]

If I were you, I'd march in with a copy of the contract and lay it on his desk. The conversation would go something along these lines:

Me: Is this the contract you signed?
Them: Yes, it is.
Me: So by reading this, you understand you are now in breech of this legally binding contract and subject to legal action if your end of the contract is not fulfilled?
Them: *Deer in headlights*
Me: You have 24 hours as of this moment, *say time*, to have a valid cheque or cash in my hands or you will be taken to court. I don't think that is something the school would appreciate. You've had *amount* of days to legally fulfill your end, and I've been more than generous enough to give you this amount of time based on your words. Time is up and I will take you to court if I don't receive the money owed to me for my services. Good day, sir.
*Exit*

Agree agree agree AGREE! Do not let them slide any more. They made a specific agreement with you. You kept up your end but they are failing to keep theirs. Make them.

[KitterCat]

I notice your in MD. Bit of a head up as to why their probably taking so long to pay you. A lot of the dioceses in the State are going through a major deficit due to either legal fees and/or the economy in general. Lets just say lots of cases of people talking about things that were done to them in the 70’s. So I’d be willing to bet their hoping that you’ll “forget” your fee and eventually go away if they wait long enough. Keep at them.

[Mystic]

Idiots who don't pay even with a contract are something I deal with more and more these days it seems. This is why I've moved to taking full payment before an event rather than after to make sure I'm not getting shafted.

If I were you, I'd march in with a copy of the contract and lay it on his desk. The conversation would go something along these lines:

Me: Is this the contract you signed?
Them: Yes, it is.
Me: So by reading this, you understand you are now in breech of this legally binding contract and subject to legal action if your end of the contract is not fulfilled?
Them: *Deer in headlights*
Me: You have 24 hours as of this moment, *say time*, to have a valid cheque or cash in my hands or you will be taken to court. I don't think that is something the school would appreciate. You've had *amount* of days to legally fulfill your end, and I've been more than generous enough to give you this amount of time based on your words. Time is up and I will take you to court if I don't receive the money owed to me for my services. Good day, sir.
*Exit*

Unfortunately, sometimes you need to play hard ball. Your actions against a school for them not paying won't really mar your ability to get a job in the school system, so I wouldn't worry about that. If anything they will pay to stay out of bad light with people. The worst thing you can do is let them get away with it, because I'm sure that's what they are counting on. The more people who know they can get away with things like this, the more people who will end up doing them. It's sad, but that's what I've been seeing more and more of.

[Andara Bledin]

If you want to make certain that a check was written, then ask for a check number.

I do this all the time when customers are jerking me around as regards late payments.

^-.-^

[Geek King]

As a loyal Judge judy and People's Court watcher, I'm pretty sure you can NOT be reimbursed for "the trouble to go into the court and file/to go in front of the judge". On the other hand, if you win you do get your filing fees back.

Please keep in mind that those TV Judge shows have their own rules, many of which have nothing to do with the real legal system. In most jurisdictions in the USA, you can indeed ask for reimbursement for time and filing fees in addition to damages in small claims. It is up to the Judge to decide if the requested compensation is reasonable if you win.

[draco664]

If it were me, I'd go back to the school (after making sure the bursar was in that day) and say that the check was lost in the post, so please put a stop on that one and cut me another one while I sit in the reception waiting, thankyouverymuch.

Sometimes, you've just got to stay in their field of vision. The old "out of sight, out of mind" applies.