What would you do?

[peezey 0]

What have you done in the past if people have owed you money for either a straight cash loan or for goods/services you'd provided? I'm actually talking about people you know, not necessarily best friends, but people you encounter regularly or semi-regularly, for instance, someone in a VJ forum or a work associate in another office. Someone who regularly interacts in your common group, not trying to hide at all, but totally ignoring that money is owed to you. Has something like this happened that no matter what attempts you've made you just cannot get your money?

For me, it's one thing if it's Joe Blow you don't know, took something promising to pay, then hightailed it. However, I think it's much more insulting when it's someone you know, someone you did something for in good faith, went to the effort to put something together for them, maybe ship it off or email a product (graphics for a project, eg), and then for this person to completely ignore you for more than a year, even though you cross paths fairly regularly. I'd totally be open to a payment plan, but NOT ONE WORD in response except to say "I got them and they're beautiful" and then complete silence for a year is dead-beat status to me. I just can't figure out how people can do this.

Any hints on how to handle this? It's not a huge amount of money, but during the time this happened to me, I happened to be out of work on disability for a year, so I couldn't really afford to be screwed over for the $200. It's no longer all about the money but just trying to understand how anyone could do this so brazenly.

Edited December 3, 2006 by peezey

[patrice 0]

I would directly confront the person. sometimes ppl need to be cornered. ive had to deal w/1 of these before

[meauxna 15]

I'm tenacious about debts like that. Send them an invoice/reciept with a handwritten note with something like "I'm sorry to have to chase this down, but as you know, I've been out of work this year due to X. I appreciate your quick follow up to this; when can I expect your payment?" Or better, "Can I expect your payment by X date?"

I realize your question is "why", but I'm more interested in getting my money than understanding rude folk. The only excuse would be if they are somehow under the impression that you were not charging for the job.

I chased one customer acquaintence down through Small Claims, but collecting was just as much a pain.

[blah0323 0]

I would say that this time should have been a learning experience and unfortunately we will never be able to understand why people do what they do. The lesson should be, never loan/give or do services that you can't afford to get paid from. Sometimes even with family or friends you have to make it strictly business.

[me_4_musa 1]

Send them an invoice/reciept with a handwritten note with something like "I'm sorry to have to chase this down, but as you know, I've been out of work this year due to X. I appreciate your quick follow up to this; when can I expect your payment?" Or better, "Can I expect your payment by X date?"

Good advise. This is what I would do.

Good Luck!

[peezey 0]

Oh, I've done all these things for more than a year, and complete silence from the person. This is my question for "why?"....it's not that I haven't attempted, but the person completely ignores me.

[arwensun1965 1]

Oh, I've done all these things for more than a year, and complete silence from the person. This is my question for "why?"....it's not that I haven't attempted, but the person completely ignores me.

As you said you have done the advice that was offered then really there is only two things you can do...

1. Completely forget about the whole incident and take it as lesson learnt.

2. Publicly tell everyone who it was to embarrass them.

Sometimes people are going to screw you over even though you do not deserve it, I am sorry this had to happen to you.

[MissStacey 1]

I'm sorry this happened to you too. It is probably best to let it go and lesson learned. If it is any consulation, you will be rewarded in other ways when Karma comes around.

[LaL 418]

i get dumbfounded when things like this happen. i wonder where common decency has gone. it would be so simple just to pay when you have services, drive with responsibility, or even understanding when you need to be a friend vs devil's advocate.

i guess i am just too idealist...

[Nessa 23]

Or better, "Can I expect your payment by X date?"

I would go with that, establish a date and if they don't pay you by then, send another note with a higher price, that is what I would do in Brazil, be polite, ask once and if they don't pay, charge a fee. But that's me. Oh, and if the worse happens, there is always legal court. Good luck. I have people owing me money since 1998

[Captain Ewok 1,928]

This topic has been closed per the request of the original poster. Thank you for your understanding.