Billing dealers

[Larry Fisher]

Hi all,

I recently had another run in with a local dealer that has a personal
problem with himself, .........  he's let his success make his head so big
his shoulders don't hold it up anymore.  Don't get me wrong, he's putting
pianos in homes all over the place and I'm very greatful for that.  We all
could use more of that.  Where I got the problem is he's exerting his
dominance on his support structure by not paying in a timely way.  After
numerous verbal agreements failed, I resorted to charging him 18 percent
interrest on unpaid amounts beyond 30 days with a two percent discount
incentive to pay in 10 days.  He called yesterday and whined all over my
shoulder.  I had to hurry home and change my shirt plus I refused to get my
knees dirty with this guy.

If you are working for a dealer as a direct employee, and you repeatedly
get your check late, look into the Labor and Industry regulations regarding
this.  I believe there are some serious rules regarding this.

If you are doing calls for a dealer on an independent basis, and the dealer
is notorious for not paying promptly, do yourself a favor and protect your
investment.  You have time invested in every invoice, this time is
converted into money, but only if the dealer pays.  The sooner he pays, the
sooner you get the benefit of your money in your account, not his.  Should
the dealer go under while he still owes you money, you're protected.  The
creditors will pay you before other debts that don't have interrest
accumulating.  I've seen lots of dealers go under in the 30 some odd years
of service, and each one owed me money.  I never got any of it.  This is
the first dealer I've had to resort to charging interrest with.  Charging a
dealer interrest is no guarantee that you'll be paid, but it's a nice
investment return that holds up in court.

Some things to watch for when dealing with a dealer that is "jacking you
around".  

Lies
Late payment
incomplete payments
lost invoices
revolving bookkeepers
emotional behavior

There's probably a few more but that's enough for now.  All of the above
mentioned items are used to gain control.  When discussing details with
these types of people, have your goals firmly in hand before talking.  Make
damn sure you're in the right, and within reason.  Business first, emotions
never!!  Let the controller dance and cry and rant.  It's quite a show but
affects me little.  Frustration will eventually steer the controller away
from you to softer more adventuresome prey.

I hope this email finds y'all in good health, prosperous times, and
SINGLE!!!  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lar


                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water