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.

[Lisa O'Sullivan]

I think Mary Jo was making a suggestion for what to do next time: Next time, at the same time you submit the transcript to the agency, email the attorneys saying you have done so. That was my take, anyway.

As far as this time, I've been in your shoes with them not responding, and here's what worked for me: I sent a "heartfelt" type of letter to the owner, asking for payment, and I stuck it in a colorful greeting card envelope, to make sure she'd open it and no one else. I.e., I went over the head of the person who wasn't answering my emails. Don't know whether that would work for you.

Good luck. 

[Janiece Young]

The firm I used to work for had a strict policy of always getting a deposit from Florida attorneys.  I would say 97 percent of the time they did not want the transcript typed up for a year.  They did not want to pay much of anything for us to go and write the deposition initially and it was usually a telephone deposition or video conference.  They would call a year or so later and want it typed up right away before they went to trial.

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Ohmygosh, that is so typical of what I hear out of Florida. Hold notes until the last minute, then bitch about having to pay expedite.  Hell of a way to save money.

M.A.

[Kerry F]

You guys, the transcript was not held.  It was a New York case and New York attorneys on the videoconference.  The transcript was ordered immediately.  It was a Florida legal services/videoconferencing agency that hired me for he job.

[Janiece Young]

I understood that, Kerry.  I was talking about my experience with Florida attorneys in response to something Judy posted.  :-)

[Kerry F]

Okay, I'm going to post their name now. Where is the good pay bad pay group?

[Janiece Young]

I think that group is called "Have You Ever Heard Of."

[Judy]

Yes, I'm the one that went on the jag about holding notes.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

 think Mary Jo was making a suggestion for what to do next time: Next time, at the same time you submit the transcript to the agency, email the attorneys saying you have done so. That was my take, anyway.

 

Yes, that is what I meant.  An email is always instant documentation.  Just like Fed Ex and UPS let's you track a package, send an email and let them know their transcript has been delivered.

[Kerry F]

Well, a man from this company called me...........finally today, ten days after my initial inquiry.  He wasn't very nice.

I kept asking for the owner of the company when I called, but all they did was take a message.

Apparently they made the transcript COD to these New York attorneys and haven't received payment.  Well, they just received payment on the copy.  Still don't know when they will pay me.  He didn't give me a definitive answer.

He said they usually do pay reporters in 30 days, but they have not been paid yet by the attorneys.  I told him

my arrangements with out-of-state firms when I quote them my rates is payment within 30 to 45 days.

[Rhonda Hall Breuwet, RDR CRR CLR]

Kerry, seeing as how I am in FL, I'd love to know the name of this outfit so I stay away.  You can e-mail me at courtreportertampa at gmail dot com.

And Florida is not that bad a place to work.  It's not the only state where holds are common.  Some firms have more holds than others, so you just need to find the right place to work.  Most of the reporters I know make six figures, so it can't be THAT bad here.