I just learned a valuable lesson!!

[jda1961]

i'll tell you what a guy done in my area, he felt like he was ripped off by a local well known contractor, so he made up a sign about the size of a tailgate, and put the guys name and phone number on it and said don't do bussiness with this guy or he will rip you off and you'll not get paid. this guy put it on the back of his pickup truck and said it would stay there until he got paid, after a month he got paid. the guy threatened to take him to court and he told him to go ahead, but he paid him instead. so if the guy takes you to court you'll get paid either way, or you can sell him the sign for 350 bucks.

 

[Bird]

i'll tell you what a guy done in my area, he felt like he was ripped off by a local well known contractor, so he made up a sign about the size of a tailgate, and put the guys name and phone number on it and said don't do bussiness with this guy or he will rip you off and you'll not get paid. this guy put it on the back of his pickup truck and said it would stay there until he got paid, after a month he got paid. the guy threatened to take him to court and he told him to go ahead, but he paid him instead. so if the guy takes you to court you'll get paid either way, or you can sell him the sign for 350 bucks.

Yep, that might work, but of course there's also a chance it would backfire on you and you not only wind up without getting paid, but also have a big judgement against you for defamation of character.

Fact of the matter is that about the only safe tactic is to sue the guy in court, then win or lose, chalk it up to experience and move on.

 

[jda1961]

its not defamation if its the truth!

 

[Bird]

its not defamation if its the truth!

Yeah, but can you prove it's the truth? The "truth" is what the court, or a jury, decides it is after whatever evidence the judge decides to allow is presented. That "truth" may or may not be the same "truth" as you or I see it.

 

[Midsouth]

I agree with Bird sometimes the courts see things from their on point of view.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Been self employed for 27 years now and have been burned 3-4 times, always under a $1000. I just rack it up to i wasnt careful enough in my dealings, kick myself in the butt and walk away, but thats just me. Small claims court works for some i suppose but ive always found it to be more a hassle than not. Just wasting the time and mental irratation isnt worth it for me.

Since i got my tractor year ago i have been doing small jobs, started out because i enjoyed tractor time but is ending up being in somewhat demand for smaller jobs. In this lawsuit happy sociiety we have now I had an attorney draw up and in depth form that i have all sign before i will get my tractor on their land since it just takes one lawsuit to ruin your life.

As far as you getting not paid, if you are in a small town, let a select few know what happened, but they didnt hear from you , the grapevine is a powerful thing. Pretty bad nowdays that theres someone on every corner that will rip you off. Just be careful and if you have the slightest inclination they may be the type that can stiff you, get at least half the money upfront. Just got to be careful in the environment we all find ourselves in now, and it will get worse i think.

 

[CDsdad]

When the DA threw it out, you should have never let anybody know, not even here at TBN. Then wait about 6 months or a year until "everybody else" forgot about it. Then do whatever it takes to get $350 worth of satisfaction. Being discreet is another good lesson.