Tricky Clients

[goalie13456]

Hello Everyone,
I was wondered how you handle the situation where after working on a project for a long period of time the client no longer responds or communicates with you in any way. I have a client that is no longer communicating with me after I finished the plans and I don't know how to handle it.
Thanks!

[dgavin]

Did they pay you? If not, you now know NOT to release plans until payment in full is received. You can sue but it's probably not worth it. They obviously have moved on and that is probably what you will have to do.

[goalie13456]

I received half of it up front and have not released the plans yet. I need him to submit the second payment and then I would release the plans to him.

[William H Lynch]

See attached thread (watch video):

http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread....-Spot-on-video

[lbuttery]

What does your contract say ???

I had this happen a few times so I sent a "demand" letter
threatening to enforce the contract and sue etc

that "cannon shot across the bow" worked and payment was received

however, I learned from those experiences to collect a retainer like a lawyer does
when the retainer declines enough I collect another

no more working for free ....

Lew

[dgavin]

Goalie,

Well technically he owes you for the balance but collecting is another matter. For whatever reason he does not seem to want to continue the relationship. Again, sue or walk on.

[lbuttery]

see post #31 in this thread:

http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread....ght=cannon+bow

Lew

[goalie13456]

Lew,
That letter looks very effective.
Thanks

[lbuttery]

I have attached a letter where I had to fire a difficult client

Lew

[RMorrison]

I would be very careful about reusing any of that "cannon" letter without legal advice. Depending on the state you are in, an attorney might just laugh, or even take action against you. There are civil causes of action that exist in some states (e.g. "theft by deception"), which don't exist in other states. Copyright infringement claims would have to be filed in federal court ($$$) and not something you probably can do yourself, unlike small claims court. In many, if not most, states, mechanic's liens are available only to licensed professionals. You should be careful of threatening someone with a criminal complaint. In most jurisdictions, threatening to report a crime (even if the crime is valid) in order to get a payment is extortion. In other words, this letter could get you in as much (or more) trouble as you are trying to avoid. Don't write a letter like this without legal counsel. Far better to have an attorney write it, if necessary.

[lbuttery]

Richard:

I agree about seeking an attorney

but I chose not to - sure it was a risk but it worked in my case

both times I had to send such a letter I received payment

I guess I was lucky

this is why I started collecting a retainer - no pay - no work

[gawdzira]

Your contract should stipulate clearly the next course of action. You have a contract, right? If the answer is no, then I would consider if the loss in fees equates to the savings in contract attorneys costs and business school education tuition.

[Sunfish]

My landscape architect buddy solve this problem once by contacting the local BBB for help.
The Owners had a knick knack or two to correct, then all went OK, got paid.

[briem]

It's always hard to tell if something has changed with the status of a client. I had a client for a $2 million dollar home that went silent on me. After many attempts, I called and left a message for him essentially saying that there had been "radio silence" on his end and I didn't know if he had been too busy to get back with me or if his plans had changed. I let him know that I needed to know if I should close his file and send him an invoice for the balance of work that was done, or if he wished to move ahead. He did reply right away and said he was sorry for not getting back with me and that he had found a very comparable property that he was going to buy on a short sale for 1/2 the price of building. Bottom line is he asked me to send him a invoice. If I hadn't received a response from my phone message, I would have followed it up with an email with essentially the same message for a paper trail. Then if no response, I would sue for the balance.

Hello Everyone,
I was wondered how you handle the situation where after working on a project for a long period of time the client no longer responds or communicates with you in any way. I have a client that is no longer communicating with me after I finished the plans and I don't know how to handle it.
Thanks!