collecting fees

[Dannyblueyes]

A college roommate and I recently started a videography company. One of our first gigs was to film and photograph an album release party. The artist in question paid us up front for the filming and promised to pay for the editing later.

It's been nearly two months later and we haven't got any more money yet. The artist is still crying broke with lame excuses. Meanwhile we have this great video that we can't do anything with. That being said, this artist has two other shows coming up in the next couple months which he's also asked us to film.

As much as I'd love to say "fuck you pay me" these other gigs will be worth at least a month's rent if we can find a way to keep him honest and collect on the last job. Can anyone share an effective way for a growing business to collect fees and cover their ass for the future?

I would like to avoid collection or intimidation if at all possible. It's a bad look to have all your customers ducking you.

 

[nittie]

You got to have contracts and you have to be willing to enforce your contract, its your word. In this case go to small claims and sue, use the tape for evidence, in the future sign a contract and collect some of your money upfront.

 

[Sango]

I think that the OP said that he's collected some of the money up front. He's waiting to get paid for the editing part.

To the OP, I think you should produce a written contract as suggested and collect even more money up front from this artist. Most artists get paid an up front fee for coming to do a show and the rest of the money after their performance. So with that bit of info in mind, tell the artist and his management that you require X% higher in upfront fees because of unpaid work from the first job. Hope this helps.

 

[Raptor ES]

A contract that spells out terms. If he is in default charge him interest.

I do not release video, pictures, a report, or testify until I have been paid. Like you my time is money. You get what you need when I get what I need.

Retainer. I get what I think the job is going to cost up front. Just like a lawyer. If there is anything left over I will refund it.

A collection agency might be a good way to go if its a large some of money.

If he has burned you once why would you let him burn you again? Get 100% up front. Treat him as a bad risk. Remember that past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior

 

[cooliojones]

It's a bad look to have all your customers ducking you.

Negro, it's a bad look in the mirror knowing that you gave someone the benefit of the doubt and they ducking you like black families and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Let me tell u a story...

I once had a customer I did work for a couple of years ago. He paid the first time, no problem. The second time, he paid me w/ a check. Now I usually have a no-check policy, but since he was a previous customer, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and took it anyway.

Check bounced.

Calls to him were ducked and unreturned. I finally had to work with the bank on collecting the money by ME calling the bank almost everyday to see if the dude had enough cheese in his account to pay the check.

I got lucky because one day I called and he had enough...so I had to high-tail it like 30+ miles just to get there before he took the money back out for something else. Dunno how much your invoice is, but mine was in the hundreds and was a mix of tangible items and services.

Dude, you don't want to be in a situation like that. Consider getting a merchant account and accepting credit cards. I only accept cash and credit, nothing else. And if I ever get that feeling to be "nice," I just think about that MARTA employee that I did some work for and how hard it was to get my money.

Your reflection will never forgive you.