On Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 10:32 PM, Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>wrote: > The recent topic regarding manufacturer payments has reminded me of > something I have been wanting to throw at everyone. > > Has anyone ever had the sheer pleasure of turning in a non-paying client to > collections? Is this even possible in our line of work? What kind of legal > grounds would one need? I have each of my clients, or whoever is there, > sign the invoice when my work is complete, showing that I have completed the > work to their satisfaction. > > I know to some of you, dealing with a collection agency may not be at all > worth it financially to you, as I am sure you would be lucky to recover 30% > of your invoice amount. However, it's just the point that if someone did > try to intentionally stiff you of your services, collections would at least > leave a mark on their credit, which I feel would be better than just walking > away. > > Thoughts anyone? > Matthew > I was called about 5 years ago to tune a square grand for a resturaunt/supper club. They were having a group play there that weekend and needed it tuned for them. I told them I didn't tune squares, they said that was what everyone else said and they would pay me double and begged me to reconsider. I showed up at noon to find a rebuilt 72 note, no-name square with a missing lyre and 3 broken hammer shanks. I pulled the action repaired the broken shanks, smaller than standard shanks today had to use my shank reducer and a smaller drill bit to approximate size. Tuned it(oh my aching back) and billed them for an hours labor and the tuning. I kept billing every month for 6 months adding 1.5% interest per month. Calling periodically, the owner was never available. I had ascertained, when I was there and asked about the missing lyre, that it didn't belong to them, it belonged to the brewery they were leasing the building from. On the 7th month anniversary I included a letter outlining my intentions to go to small claims court and ask the judge for payment or in lieu of same a lien against the piano. I received a call to pick up my check 3 days later! Mike -- I intend to live forever. So far, so good. Steven Wright Michael Magness Magness Piano Service 608-786-4404 www.IFixPianos.com email mike at ifixpianos.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20091029/c9a66331/attachment.htm>
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