[pianotech] no cash flow

[reggaepass at aol.com]

Sage advice.


Alan Eder


-----Original Message-----
From: William Truitt <surfdog at metrocast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 3:11 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] no cash flow



I’ve done the small claims court thing  twice in 30 years.  First time I got paid, 2nd time I was dealing with a liar and cheat, won, but never saw a dime.  That one was for $600.  
 
I know that it can be aggravating and upsetting not to get paid, but this is really a time for us, as managers of our business, to manage ourselves and our expectations.
 
Bottom line is that you will get paid when they have the money.  Whether that is next month or a year from now, you have no way of knowing.  As others have suggested, don’t burn any bridges behind you.  Simply (and politely) continue to bill them by mail every month as a past due notice.  I wouldn’t even put any remarks in the notice beyond that.  Small claims involves your time and money and distraction from the rest of your business.  In pursuing that route you are taking something away from yourself that you will not get paid for.  And you still won’t get paid until they have the money.
 
As a discipline, every time you think about this and it upsets you, resolve to direct your mental energies towards other things that build business or improve your skills.  That way you are keeping your eye on what truly matters and staying positive.
 
You will likely eventually get paid (this does not appear to be a situation where they are deliberately trying to cheat you), but if you don’t, just let it go and move on.  Stewing in your own juices hurts only yourself and absolutely no one else. 
 
For the most part, we are lucky enough to be in a business where this kind of thing does not happen often.  
 
Will Truitt
 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gene Nelson
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 11:35 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] no cash flow

 

So you service a piano for a symphony in a very upscale wealthy community, submit the bill and after one month inquire as to why it has not been paid. They answer  that they are having cash flow problems and would get back with you later. The second month passes and the situation will likely need to be resolved in small claims court.

 

It is so tempting to let it be known publicly who they are.

 

What would you do?

 

Gene

 


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