ARGHHH!!! Some people are so rude!

coasterqueen wrote: I do political action committee legal filings for a large company. I do this on the side of my regular job -- as a favor to my boss. I get paid well, but I increased my fee this year due to new law requirements in filings, causing more work for me. I sent my invoice in late July like I always do. Well, normally at the beginning of July, but I had a computer problem so it didn't get out until late July. I ALWAYS get my check a week after I send the invoice. I've been doing their legal filings for 3 years now. Well, I have yet to get my check. I sent them another email about 1.5 weeks ago telling them I had computer problems and thought maybe they didn't receive my first invoice. Well, I know they got the email because I got a read receipt the second time. I still have yet to get my check. Usually I don't count on that money, but this year with the cruise and Kylie's birthday all around the same time, and the cost of adding new doggies to our family, I've really counted on that money. I told myself not to because I was increasing my fee and knew they may decide to not use my services anymore. That's fine, too, if that happens, but by now I think they should have at least let me know, don't you? They could at least say "hey, we decided your fee is too high and we are going to look elsewhere". Fine, but at least tell me that. Don't sit here and keep me waiting thinking I'm going to get that money. I feel like personally calling them, but on one hand I feel petty doing that and two I don't want to get upset and burn any bridges as they are connected with one of our members who I work for.

Sorry, just needed to vent. I NEED that money now Here's hoping venting about might make them hear me and send the check or call me.

aspenblue1 replied:

DansMom replied:
Can you call someone? I'd be tempted. You did the work, you should get paid.

luvmykids replied: If they decide not to use you in the future, that's one thing, but if you've already done the work they need to pay you. A simple courtesy call to ask about the higher rate is all that needs to happen on their end if they're suprised by it. I'd call and be nice about it but just tell them you hadn't heard back and would like to know when you can expect a check.

coasterqueen replied: Well, the work is for July of this year through June of next year. I haven't done any work yet for this check. The agreement was I'd get paid before doing the work. Since I haven't done any work for this "year" period, I know they don't have to keep my services, but they've always responded w/in a week and now they aren't. I knew they may not want me after I increased my fee, but at least I feel I deserve a response within a few weeks. It's been a month!

My2Beauties replied: I feel they owe you the courtesy of responding to your email and letting you know something, I think keeping you waiting is rude and unprofessional. We have a lot of members here at work that are part of PAC.

MommyToAshley replied: Did you let them know ahead of time that you were increasing your fees? Most our clients are ok with increased fees if we send them notice ahead of time letting them know that the fees have increased and why (requires more work/time, or rates went up, etc). Some companies need to budget for the increase.

Also, I always put terms of payment such as "30 days net" so they know when the invoice is to be paid. If you charge a late fee after 30 days, I would make sure that is stated clearly on the invoice as well.

If you haven't discussed any of the terms with them, I would either call or write them a letter and simply explain why the rates have gone up. Then, just ask if they plan to continue using your services. I don't think anyone would be offended by you simply asking if they plan to continue using your services. Maybe just say you are planning your schedule for next quarter .... blah blah blah. I would just call as I think it seems more personal, unless you feel you need something in writing. I wouldn't do any work until payment is received though.

I hope things work out.

coasterqueen replied:
I did not let them know in advance, but did send a letter with my invoice explaining the increase. They knew of the new law changes, as well. I also put net 30 days on my invoice. The problem this isn't really a business per se I'm dealing with this is a Political Action Committee (PAC) and so there is no budgeting, nor do they receive many invoices -- they give money to legislators, is about it. I've always been paid on time. Like I said I understood and put that plainly in my letter if they do not want to keep my services, but I do expect a timely response on whether they want me or not. I only started this 3 years ago as a favor to my boss and one of our members and they've been a PITA ever since in other ways. I actually talked to my boss before increasing my fee and I told the PAC that after a few years of dealing with them I'd "revisit" my fees to see if I need to increase it due to spending more time than anticipated on reporting. So they knew it was possible at some point. My boss actually wanted me to triple my original fee, and I just doubled it as not to push it too much.

I'll wait until September 1 and then call, I guess. I hate talking about money with people.

MommyToAshley replied: I'd definitely call or write... maybe the check is just lost in the mail. It happened to us once and the check was delivered almost a month later after another payment had been issued.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, I'll call September 1 -- give them a bit more time. They FedEx my check, and while it can happen to get lost, it's less likely. They usually fax what they can as far as information to me, and FedEx the rest. They haven't used regular mail when sending me anything. But I definitely will call.

luvmykids replied:
Gotcha. I'd still call and say what Dee Dee suggested, you're planning your calendar and just wondered if you needed to set time for them.

gr33n3y3z replied: When they didnt send your check they already burned the bridge now go after your money but make sure you check first to see if it was sent out lol