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Topic: Run around on payment
| Author | Message |
| BluePooka | Posted – 10/25/2007 12:22:06 PM | show profile | email poster I'm trying to get payment out of a magazine for some pieces, and am getting the run-around. Yes, I have contracts for the work I did. First it's - oh we're busy this week. Then it's - you gotta contact this guy. I've left seven messages for 'this guy' over the past week and a half. He doesn't return calls. Now it's that they're having a forum, and probably won't get to it anytime soon. Problem is I need the money now. Thing is, they're asking for more work out of me. Is it kosher to tell them I'll turn it in when I'm paid what they already owe me? |
| Otoole | Posted – 10/25/2007 1:11:25 PM | show profile Stick to your guns Absolutely do not turn over any more work from them until you receive payment. Just keep at it and remember there are clients out there who do pay. |
| paula_vergara | Posted – 10/25/2007 1:49:50 PM | show profile Blue - I am in the same boat. I had written two articles for a sports magazine, and I've asked them 4 times about payment, and they said that they would check with the Chicago office, and then they never write back. Then they had the cojones to ask me to write a third article. I said that i couldn't accept any further projects until I receive payment for my previous work. I was nice about it, but they got the message. I was told by others in this forum that I shouldn't consider taking the small claims court route for 6 months after publication. I'd rather focus on getting more work from other publications that DO pay. At the very least, you have a few more clips to add to your portfolio. |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 10/25/2007 2:17:19 PM | show profile What is it with these deadbeat companies? Do you attempt to use your VISA when you know you're late with the payment? Or if you do, you can't use it, right? Yes, stick to your guns. This is unconscionable behavior from these so-called businesses! |
| cori | Posted – 10/25/2007 2:18:40 PM | show profile Are you dealing with the editor or with payment office? Editors often forget to put paperwork through that is needed for payment. I'd contact the accounting dept and try to make a friend there. Explain the situation and ask when you might be able to stop by to pick up the check. That is, if you live in the same city as the magazine. If things remain difficult, try to go over everyone's head. I have a friend who actually wrote a certified letter to the publisher of a magazine after waiting 5 months for payment. The publisher's admin asst. called payroll and not only was the check cut immediately, it was sent via overnight carrier so my friend had the money the next day. I hope you get your money soon! |
| cori | Posted – 10/25/2007 2:19:32 PM | show profile oops. I forgot I would not do any more work for them until you were paid for the prev. work. I mean, they are taking major advantage of you now. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 10/28/2007 11:43:38 AM | show profile I would tell them flat out, "I will start work on this next project when you pay me what you owe me for the last one." Then I'd give it another week. Then I'd contact a lawyer and have the lawyer send both the jerky-putzes you've been dealing with AND the accounts payable department at that company a letter and a copy of the contract you have with them, "reminding" them of the terms of the contract. This way, chances are you will get your money, and...if the jerky-putzes forgot turn the paperwork over to accounts payable, they get embarrassed when accounts payable comes to them like, "yo, you never turned this in, why are we getting nastygrams from attorneys?" Then the jerky-putzes will remember to do the paperwork next time. Just that once you get a lawyer involved, you can strike that client off your list. But really, do you want to spend your valuable time chasing money, or working with clients who don't have their heads up their bums? |
| scribechick | Posted – 11/8/2007 6:10:22 PM | show profile | email poster Must be a sign of the times ahead. I haven't had this problem for a while. One magazine still owes me for two stories. Contracts on both. Both ran in hard copy/online. I forgot the old call the accountant routine. I will do that tomorrow. It truly isn't fair when we deliver on the very due date and they ignore their end of the deal. (For the first payment I did go to both the editor and the publisher--it worked. This time, no word as of yet. How would they feel if we did that to them after they plan ahead for our assigned work.) |
| seeattleme | Posted – 11/8/2007 10:43:00 PM | show profile Submit another invoice to both the editor and the account manager, or the managing editor. Ask for a rush in payment. Ask if you can pick up the check. |
