Ok, so the situation is this. Im a computer graphics artist, a friend of mine referred his art director to contact me to bail them out of a big situation. So upon seeing the initial draft of the job, he decides to stick with me and gives me the green light (so to speak). Now normally I request 50% down and invoices to boot... but this time I didnt. I complete the job and drop the artwork off (on cd) along with the bill invoice. I talk to him the next day and he tells me he would have to send the invoice off to corporate and it would take 30 days for me to get it but would try to rush it thru so the check would come sooner. So at this point 3 weeks have gone by since completion of the job, so I decide to try and contact to him to follow up on the status of the check. I got no response from him to the IM i sent him, nor does he take my phonecalls when i call (let it ring to voicemail). Now maybe Im over-reacting due to the fact that I did not request 50% down and kinda feel like i stuck myself out in the wind, but it seems that I was being avoided.

So I suppose my question is this (looking ahead). Should this company try to shaft me on the payment ($1100). How much of a legal case do I have... the agreements were verbal as far as the payment amount was concerned. But I have several (15 or so) emails from him discussing the details and changes of the job, so there is proof that I was actually doing something.

I really hope this company doesnt try to scam me out of the money. I am also contacting a lawyer REALLY soon just to be prepared but I like to get as much input as possible. Hope you guys can help me some.

 

as a Designer.. I say go after them. Seems like you got valid info and proof.

 

They said within a month, give them that much time.

People, from individuals to corporations don't like to pay bills. I wait 3 months for companies to pay their invoices -- beyond that I generally get involved by calling and if possible visiting them in person.

My advice, don't freak out. A bill that comes later with your name still in good standing will result in additional work down the road. Beating them up for money now may come at the expense of future work.

 

Exactly what I was thinking Steve C. They said they are planning on using me for future work so I definitely dont want to do anything brash that would ruin that. I guess I would feel more comfortable with no deposit had I already done business with them in the past. Think its just been one of those days. I am gonna step back and see what happens and try and chill. Thanks fellas, anyone else want to chime in, go ahead

 

Don't worry yet. My buddy does alot of freelance design work as well. For large newspaper companies none the less. He eventually got the money (just like most design related jobs, you get your clients/contacts via word of mouth such as you did), but he got it much later (a few months) than promised and had to do much phone calling and bugging.

He too didn't sign a contract or anything.....I say just wait for the month first.

 

You should alway get a "RETAINER"... this is a fee you charge for you services
if you get a deposit and they dont like you work or change their mind found it cheeper
You wll have to refuns the Deposit nd now you have $0

Yes corporaition do that time .... and put into your contract....15 day NET or late fee

 

Never never mix business with favors for friends, especially when $$$ is involved. Always have an standard agreement in place and I agree with picturepro...you should have billed them a retainer fee of a minimum of 10%, before you started the job. Anyway, this is after the fact. Lessons learned.



Advice from a Accounts Payable manager before going 'legal'. Send your invoice to their Accounts Payable department supported with a W9 form . This company is required to file and need to obtain this from you before they can 'cut' you a check. Take away all the excuses. The standard process for Accounts Payable is to obtain an approval before they can process the invoice for payment; assuming they follow the standard process, the invoice is an open liability on their books. Your 'invoice' is visible.
Standard practice to pay is N30 days upon receipt of invoice, but this can sometimes stretch to 90 days, due to the fact that there was no contract in place.


If still not paid after 30 days, call their AP department and asked them what the status is on your invoice.
After 90 days, I would suggest to take them to small claim court.


You should get paid for services rendered. Good luck!

 

I do lots of freelance design work on top of my full time AD job. 30 days is pretty standard.
If you continue to do this type of work a lawyer friend is a must. Once you start incurring
hard cost such as printing you can lose your ass (but worth the 17% markup). Usually a
single letter is all that is needed. Keep a professional demeanor and don't burn bridges, one jobs leads to other contacts and so on.

 

UPDATE... so theres all sorts of confusion going on here. SUPPOSEDLY he lost the invoice and I dropped another one off yesterday, but when I arrived my friend who works there said that he forgot to call me and that the Art Director located the original invoice. So this morning I briefly chatted with the Art Director and he said he would get it sent out and that he would try to see to it that it wouldnt take another 30 days for me to receive payment. I have a feeling that I will receive payment, but I cant help but feel that Im getting dicked around some tho. I also documented the chat from this morning for my records should I need them. Should I give him 2 weeks and start bugging the piss out of them? How do I really know he sent the invoice out?

 

Your best bet... Contact their Accounts Payable department after 10 business days and ask them for the status on your invoice. If they don't have your invoice, assuming the Art Director 'misplaced' the invoice again and didn't forward it to AP for payment, fax one to them and ask when you can expect payment.

Is this a small business?

P.S. They might request a W9 form from you, before they cut your check.