Not getting paid for seamstress work!

[LillFilly]

I previously wrote here about the work I'd done for a neighbor. So far I've only received 250$ from her; 50 in march, 100 in april and 100 in may. She never answers the phone and I can't leave messages because her voicemail is full. Each time I went over to get a check, she complained about not being able to open or draw the curtains. I had explained to her how OLD the rods, tracks and pully system were (they don't make them like that anymore so you can't buy parts), and that they either needed some oil or to be replaced. I only made the curtains, I'm NOT responsible for the curtain tracks not working. Hooks were also missing from the track system but they wanted the curtains hung NOW so I created some temporary hooks out of wire, which I TOLD them were not going to move smoothly along the track, they were only to get the curtains up. But I digress. I've not been paid again since may. I finally got in touch with her 2-weeks ago and she had a story about going on a trip and her cat dying. So I gave her another week. Then I had to switch jobs and was broke. I've had 18$ to my name this past week. I explained to her that I REALLY needed a payment to get me through until my paycheck. She said she could make another 50$ payment, but she was busy and not to come pick it up, she would mail it. I made sure she had my address; we live in the same town. But it's been about 9 days and no check.

I'm getting a little upset. I did give her an itemized notice and I've kept track of each check, number and amount, that she's given me. But these aren't signed notices, nothing says "I agree to pay Lillfilly X amount of $ for the work." So I don't know that I can get her to pay, but I'm pretty pissed. I gave her extra time due to the hardship she had with having to put down her cat, but then when it came time to help me when I lost my job, poof. Nobody home. Don't know how I'll ever be able to get my money. I would have rather have picked the check up myself, so she couldn't say it must be lost in the mail, or I wasn't admitting that I got it.

Grrrr. Never trusting anyone, not even a little old lady, again!

[renfield1969]

One trick would be to send her a letter telling her she still owes you $225 for your services. See if she sends you a letter saying "I only owe you $175." Well, so she does. And now you have it in writing. A point you can stress the next time you ask for another payment.

[earl colby pottinger]

Demands

In the future demand 25% to 50% depending on material costs up front before taking on an order. If they can't pay that up front how are they going to the full amount in the future?

Never deliver the finished product without a full payment.

Get paper-work that documents the above.

Make them sign it.

Always, always keep your copy.

And if you have any paperwork or email for your present transaction check out how expensive small claims court is locally.

[earl colby pottinger]

Opps

Just saw you don't have paper-work for this little old lady(?).

[SkullBash]

Goodness gracious. You have my sympathies-- though I wish that were legal tender. I certainly hope you can pull through financially. ~$175 is a lot to get stiffed on when you are running on fumes.

The first recommendation I have is to break into her home and hold a lighter to the curtains, saying YOU'LL DO IT unless she coughs up right there. Ok not really, but I probably wouldn't give up on it quite yet. Perhaps you can draw up a payment schedule for the last amount and have her sign it? You know, start with a helpful solution.

If she doesn't do that, then I'm not sure what else to recommend in this particular situation, except that if she or a representative of hers ever asks you for more work, you tack on the unpaid amount from this job onto the next bill. Or refuse any future business with her until she pays. And then definitely get her to sign an agreement if she accepts that she is still on the hook. I hate to sound cruel, but you have been more than patient and understanding, and despite that, this lady's behavior indicates that you shouldn't trust her anymore whether she is elderly or not. Sounds mean to say but...your time and skill is too valuable!

[depechemodefan]

Aw man that sucks.

[barainga]

For legal recourse, as long as you have proof of some of the payments that could be enough for a civil case which is what it would be.

[Metody]

It sounds like you're sort of screwed.

I would tell her that you'll take a look at the hooks and see if you can't rearrange them so they move more smoothly....and then, once you've got the curtains in your home, I'd inform her that you won't be returning them until you're paid for your original work, but that you'll throw in this latest modification gratis.

[Andara Bledin]

Nice plan, there, Metody. I was trying to think of some manner in which LF could somehow "repossess" the curtains and coming up empty.

^-.-^

[earl colby pottinger]

I like your idea, BUT ....

It sounds like you're sort of screwed.

I would tell her that you'll take a look at the hooks and see if you can't rearrange them so they move more smoothly....and then, once you've got the curtains in your home, I'd inform her that you won't be returning them until you're paid for your original work, but that you'll throw in this latest modification gratis.

The only problem is that if the hardware is really old and worn the curtain movement can not be fixed up, but this lady(?) will claim that she was promised it would be fixed. Should be very careful what she states she will be doing. Otherwise, a good idea.

[Jester]

I have some suggestions.

1. Never do work for her again. If she asks you for future work, tell her you will do it when she pays you for the work you've already done. Then, once that is paid, tell her to go get stuffed.

2. For other people, get something in writing, be it a bill of sale or a small contract, agreeing to the work to be done, the amount to be paid, and when it will be paid by.

3. Try never to do work unless the client pays for it in advance.

4. If you do do work on a payment basis, get the first payment up front before any work is done. It's called a "good faith" payment, sometimes a deposit, but it is somewhat standard in such transactions.

5. Tell me what she owes you and give me her phone number. And don't ask any questions.

(Yes, I am absolutely serious about #5. What, you think I am going to let some cheapass bitch steamroll one of CS's own without me lending my "very particular set of skills" to help out? Hell no!)

[AmbrosiaWriter]

There's this really nice website - FOR FREE - that lets you generate very professional looking invoices and quotes. ( You can find it here! ) Use that, make an invoice for what she owes you, check the legal notices down in the corner to make sure you're good with them (basically its things of, upon receipt of this notice you have 30 days to pay or arrange for payment) and that will get you something down, BAM! in writing right there.

It'll help you keep track of things easier too. You can send it via e-mail, or download a PDF and send it via mail/certified mail (which she should've sent her check as if she wanted to be able to prove in civil court that you received it. Anyway.)

Hope this helps.

[KatherineB]

5. Tell me what she owes you and give me her phone number. And don't ask any questions.

(Yes, I am absolutely serious about #5. What, you think I am going to let some cheapass bitch steamroll one of CS's own without me lending my "very particular set of skills" to help out? Hell no!)

Do it, do it, do it... (And of course, fill us all in on the length of time it takes for the money to arrive.)

[Jester]

I'm wondering what the CS community thinks the over/under on the time it takes the woman to pay would be if I did get involved. Obviously I'm biased, so I won't say what I think, but I am curious.....

[AmbrosiaWriter]

I'm wondering what the CS community thinks the over/under on the time it takes the woman to pay would be if I did get involved. Obviously I'm biased, so I won't say what I think, but I am curious.....

I'd say it'd be longer than the deadbeat calling the cops on you and getting you arrested.