What would you do?

[Kerry F]

I took a job for an out-of-state agency (first and only job I did for them) July 31.  I turned the job in on

August 8 to them.  They were supposed to pay me in 30 days.  I called them last week looking for

payment.  Had to chase them down to get a reply to emails and messages left for payroll.  They were checking into it.  I first called the about this last Friday.  Monday they said they would get back to me.

Tuesday I get an email from their client, the attorney, in a different state than this reporting firm is in,

looking for his transcript!  Long story short, neither side ever got their transcript from two months ago!  And I checked that I got a receipt email from production when I turned the job in.

I called the reporting firm back Tuesday and they said they did send out the transcript.  Now one attorney

emailed me just now and said he received his copy in the mail yesterday.  I still haven't heard back

from the reporting firm about payment.  And I am not going to say their name.  I think that while they may do some national work that they are not very big.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Kerry, if I were in your shoes this is REALLY what I would do.  I would ask the reporting agency why the hell they held the transcript?  I'm sure it will be an interesting story.  After I listened to it, I would tell them that I'm going to collect from the attys directly and pay the agency a percentage, but they attys will be paying me directly. That's such bullshit, I can't believe it.  When things get so bad that whole transcripts fall through the cracks like this ... gosh, it's so much worse than falling through the cracks ... what a black eye for our profession.

M.A.

[Kerry F]

They did not hold it.  They claim they sent it out long ago............I don't know if I could get the attorneys to pay me directly.   They are from New York state, the agency is in Florida.  This is a legal services outfit I took the job for, not a strict reporting agency.   I think their production department screwed up and it somehow never got produced and sent out.  They must have found my aschi file, though, somewhere because they didn't ask me for it.  The only reason the attorney even had my email was because I emailed him for order confirmation because it was a videoconference.

[Judy]

I really don't know what I'd do in that situation, but I do know one thing:  Agencies should start the clock ticking from the time the reporter TURNS IN the COMPLETED (including exhibits and certs) job, not when they get around to billing it. 

[Janiece Young]

That is their problem.  You did your job.  They should pay you.

[Kerry F]

I hope I get paid.  So far their "payroll person" hasn't responded to me.  Thankfully the bill isn't very big.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

I know my comment is probably unnecessary, but it is screaming at me.  I have worked for several super-top-notch attorneys, whose idealogy is always be prepared and always cover yourself.   What they would have told me to do  (I have been required to use this system repeatedly in such things as settlement documents, settlement checks) is e-mail the parties (giving you instant documentation) that you have delivered or mailed a document, whether it to be opposing counsel or one of our clients. That way the party knows it is coming and can call you if it doesn't.

 

Anytime you are doing something for an agency out of your norm, this is the perfect way to deal with it - email the attorneys and advise them their transcript has been delivered to the agency.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

That's great, Mary Jo - great suggestion.

M.A.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Kerry,

Did you get the job offer from this website?  If so, PM me and let me know who this agency is.  I'm getting ready to pull the plug on another agency that used my girlfriend through this website and then shorted her 900.00.  They told her a check is in the mail two weeks ago.  I don't think so.  They will never send out another job offer here unless they pay my friend her 900.00 and quick.  So irritating.

[Kerry F]

Kelli,

No, I didn't get them from here.  I don't know how they got my name.  They are in Florida, a video/legal outfit that does court reporting, too.  They did get the attorneys their transcripts on Tuesday, but the firm has not responded to me in a week about when I will be paid.  I just keep leaving messages.

Mary Jo, I don't understand what you're saying.  I should have sent the transcript directly to the attorneys?

Then how would I ever get paid unless it was COD to the attorneys.  I have email confirmation of the attorneys orders from me and email confirmation that the production department received my aschi file when I turned the job in to this firm.

[Judy]

Well, that's another strike against Florida, as far as I'm concerned.  I know it may sound illogical to some, but I can't say I've heard any good things coming out of Florida business-wise, in all respects.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Judy, I call working here in Washington, DC like the Wild, Wild West.  But true that I've heard a lot of stories about Florida, business-wise and reporting-wise as well.  I know some great reporters in Florida, that's for sure ... but everywhere, there's a lid for every pot.  A reporter for every job.  But, come on.  Let's set some good Best Practices here.  

M.A.

[Judy]

Hmm, I'll think about it. 

But then I'll also think about the Florida attorneys that scheduled a job with me (years ago) and then didn't order the transcript (I had no idea they did that there) and then refused to pay the invoice (couldn't send it COD at that point).

The next time a Florida attorney called me trying to cover a job, I got a time estimate and required a deposit upfront.  They were shocked!  Called and called, but I wouldn't budge on my estimate.  Then I received a call from a Florida CR firm that wanted to schedule a depo at my office (they needed my specific location) and proceeded to tell me about their poor client contacting this horrible, mean CR firm that wanted a deposit upfront.  They obviously had no idea that I was the mean/horrible CR firm.

Then my mind wanders to the two scopists/proofreaders that I attempted to develop a relationship with that never returned the transcripts.  Yes, I think I've actually had that happen three times in my career, but twice they were from Florida.

Then there's Kelli's situation with the Florida reporter-turned-scopist that insisted on doing it "her way."  When Kelli complained, the scopist called the agency Kelli was working for and gave the agency an earful about Kelli.

Now there's this recent Florida incident with Kerry.

Gee, I'll weigh that heavily about setting some "good Best Practices."

But I understand they've got some great real estate prices nowadays, in case I'd like to retire there.