Legal Action
Published by Matt Glover January 9th, 2006 in Cartoons & Cartoonists, Questions of FaithSo, I’ve done some cartoon work for a large, Christian US publishing house and they won’t pay up. It’s not a huge amount (still in the three figures though), but all of my contracts state that payment should be made within 14 days of delivery of the finished artwork.
The work was delivered in August of 2005, and I’ve worn out all of my nice guy-ness.
I need to engage a debt collector to recover the money, but I’m struggling a little with the whole “settle your disputes out of court” thing with fellow people of faith.
Yes, I know it’s purely business, but still…
Your thoughts?
Hmm, well this is where I come into my own. The issue is a difficult one, but I think it is an issue where we are dealing with a lot different parameters than in biblical times. Now, predominantly exchanging services rather than goods, dramatically changes the way that the economy works and how it impacts on the “little guys”.
The idea that you should “settle your disputes out of court” is a good one, but how does it apply when the other person isn’t interested in settling it out of court? If they aren’t intending to pay then they aren’t interested in settling the matter at all.
I had an issue with a guy in South Aus who wouldn’t fix and return a laptop battery.
I just kept upping the ante over a period of a few months - from nice guy to firm to annoyed to angry.
I finished up ringing him daily for about 5 days (asking the same question) before we had an argument on the phone. I told him if he didn’t do the right thing I was going to ring him and ask about my battery every frickin day for the rest of my life!
The battery arrived two days later
What worked? I think it was my bloody mindedness that somehow convinced him I was not going to let this go and he had better do the right thing - not because I waa going to legal him - but because I was going to annoy the hell out of him.
Try ringing him every day for the next month. A daily reminder of his poor form might be enough - or if he won’t speak to you his staff will soon get tired of you
Bugger the cost - this is about getting him to do the right thing!
yes i agree it’s not about the money,but about this person/companies integrity.especially seeing they’re a Christian one,they need to be more honest.i think its quite appalling on their behalf as a business,but also as Christians.fight it for the principal of the matter not the money!
(i’ll remember never to owe you anything hamo!!)
Geez, you can be a nasty bugger Hamo!
I’ve been sending a steady stream of emails and get “the cheques in the mail” response most times. The latest said wait another week and see if it arrives…
Normally I wouldn’t think twice about doing the same thing as you Hamo, but the fact that they are a ‘Christian’ organisation just makes me hesitate a little.
How should Christians fight over money? Should it be any different to any other people?
hehe - you can use my voipcheap login and call the US for free. See http://voipcheap.co.uk
Call every day. Be exceedingly polite, but call EVERY day
they will send money - I garauntee it
In your next email, let them know you are writing about them on a public website, and point them to this thread. Speaking the truth about their poor form for all the world to read may encourage them to honour their commitment to you.
At this stage you have not published their name. If they recognise the power of the web, I am sure their PR people would like to keep it that way.
That’s a bummer Matt- but phoning them is the way to go, it is better at getting things done than email is. When you speak to a real person, it often helps resolve the issue right away.
I like the idea of pointing them to this thread too.
Christian companies still have to do the right thing.
I totally agree with alison matt.
There is no excuse for not paying up. The only right way is to show integrity and be honest.
Hope they pay up matt, im sure your persistancy will help the situation and speaking in person always helps me.
Let me know how it turns out.
Sorry to drag up an old thread- but did you eventually resolve things Matt?
Still going Alison.
I’ve got about a third of the money, but things have turned a little nasty. The publishing house has been taken over, so the new owners are in on the game too.
All a bit messy.
I’m hoping they’ll both pay me!