Any opinion or advice about nonpayment from an agency?

[Rene Enriquez]

I'm a videographer. After more than 60 days, I'm thinking about taking acourt reporting agency in Los Angeles to small claims for a $1000.00 invoice. It was my first time working for them. I existed when they called me, negotiated to an agreed rate, I was on time, did the work professionally and courteously, hand-delivered the jobs to the agency (along with the invoices), and now I don't seem to exist.

I made calls, re-sent my invoices via certified mail which they somehow managed to not receive, they blamed their mailman, and all I get as a response is "Oh, really? That's strange. You haven't been paid yet?" In the past, I've dealt with attorneys directly who hired me and didn't pay and got results after a lot of headache, but this is the first time with an agency. What should I do? Am I wrong? I've left out the names to protect the guilty. I appreciate any comments people have. Thanks.

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

Continue to hound them with twice daily calls, emails, faxes. Threaten to go directly to their client for payment. Hopefully you being a thorn in their side and the threat will get you paid. Also threaten to go public on all the CR forums. At some point, give a deadline as in "On December 7 I will contact your clients directly and also share this whole story on all the court reporter forums. You can avoid this by doing the right thing already and paying me in full" or some such. Whoever they are, they disgust me!

[Cathryn Bauer]

I suggest you send them a certified letter stating that if payment is not received within the next ten days, you will be taking them to Small Claims, or whatever other legal action you decide on. Definitely put it in writing instead of just saying it. The prospect may be enough. And do follow through.

Could you PM me with the name of this agency? Thanks.

[Jennie Ann]

Agree with Cathryn and Marge. Keep after them. Begin to create a paper trail, one that is obvious to them in each communication. The squeaky wheel gets greased, as they say.

[Kyung]

How to file a small claims

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Send them a certified letter, give them a definite date. Copy all the attorneys involved in the letter. Yes, copy the attorneys.

But I would not threaten to go public on all the court reporting forums. I can be a pretty mean "nastygram writer" myself. But this is one time not to do that if you may end up regreting it.

As for filing in small claims court, we should all know how to use the Rules of Civil Procedure. They are almost always found in the state's Bar website.

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

I would not go public either but I would threaten it. And I'd alert people publicly to a problem (as Rene did), and then whoever emailed me for particulars, I'd tell them. The threat could be enough incentive for these idiots to pay their damn bill.

[Quyen]

Simple. Tell them:

1.) You will call their clients and ask if the clients have paid the CR firm, because that CR firm will not pay you.
2.) You will send out a mass e-mail to court reporters and other videographers and ask everyone if s/he has had any trouble getting paid by this CR firm.
3.) You will take them to small claims. Fill out all the forms, fax/e-mail them a copy of the completed forms. Say if you are not paid in full by "X" date, you will do all of the above the day after said date.

You'll get paid. :)

[Joyce Holbrook]

HI.
I would send a letter in writing stating that you're going to file a small claims action in 10 days if you do not receive payment by such date. Then take them to small claims. This happened to me before, and the day before we were
scheduled to be in court I got a check in the mail. So maybe you won't even have to go to court.

Can I ask you who it is? I have two agencies that owe me money and was wondering if it's the same agency. we can always do it together and it saves money and the judge is more sympathetic if there's more than one person.

joyce

[Laurie]

Rene, I am with the number one profit recovery company in the nation. Send a final demand for payment in full, stating that any further action required, collection fees, legal fees, etc. will be incurred if the bill is not paid in full 10 days from the date of the final demand. If it isn't paid in full by that date, follow thru. Also make sure that on your invoices you send to your clients in the future state that all collection fees and legal fees that pertain to collecting an unpaid bill will be the responsibility of the business or client that you are doing the work for if you do not already have that on your invoices and statements. Clearly state your terms, late fees and conditions on your agreements, invoices and statements. This helps to eliminate any problems with due process should the bill go unpaid. Contact me with any questions.

[Rene Enriquez]

Hello, everyone. thank you for the responses that i got. all of them had great input and perspectives on my issue with this court reporting agency. i've decided to go to small claims. did all the homework, and i'm ready. I appreciate the fact that this is first time i've ever tried a communication like this. amazing. well, wish me luck and thanks to everyone again. Rene.