Day 860 of 365 Again.
Why do I hate people?
Oh that’s right, because people fucking suck.
The photography studio I subcontracted to a few weeks ago is now refusing to pay me. Their claim is that my work was below their standards. I disagree, but really that doesn’t even matter. There was no agreement as to standards in the first place, and they’d seen my work. THEY SOUGHT ME OUT.
Worse, I had agreed to a rate much lower than I’d normally charge for that job (and it was a flat rate which sucks, given that there were twice as many people to shoot as they had claimed there’d be). So I’m not even sure it’s worth pursuing.
At essence I’m actually kinda a bitter, cynical asshole and very tempted to spend 10x what I’d make suing just to make their lives hell.
However I’m also trying to think about it from a grown-up point of view and realizing the effort and expense of doing that, plus the potential backlash of bad press from the whole situation affecting future jobs for me could be bad too.
So instead I’m going to just bitch and scream a bunch. At least tonight. I have no idea what I’m going to decide to do tomorrow.
Any lawyers out there want to sue someone for me for free?
I hate people.
I dunno about suing, but it kinda seems like every photographer in the world ought to know the name of this company and what to expect from them.
…not that they don’t deserve a good lawsuit…just seems like a lot of effort.
I’m a lawyer, but only licensed in Tennessee. (I.e., I can’t sue anyone for you.) Nonetheless, I’d be glad to give you a few pointers. Drop me a Flickrmail with details of what specifically was said/written, and I’ll tell you what I can.
That’s bullshit.
Don’t take this.
Make some calls. Find out who your resources. Better Business Bureau? Labor Laws. Etc.
And contact them armed with information, and with a course of action that you are ready to take lined out. Be ready to go very public and make them look bad.
You’re the little guy. You’re not going to come out looking like the bad guy.
Also? If it helps? I know how to talk very fast for extended periods without breathing and I’m ready with a phone in my hand if you want help annoying the shit out of them.
Get your pay. Plus interest. And expenses. That includes every phone call you make and stamp that you lick.
That’s ridiculous. They cannot just choose to not pay you. You did work. If they don’t like it, they still have to pay you. They’re trying to get away with nonsense, and you have to let them know you won’t stand for it. Take it to The People’s Court!
@max1975: actually, I’ve intentionally not mentioned their name. I’d consider that unprofessional. Of course now I’m pissed, but I wouldn’t want to defame anyone even if they are scamming me. Reflects poorly on me.
@madmolecule: thanks. I sent you the details last night.
@SaylaMarz: Honestly, I never should have agreed to do it in the first place. The math doesn’t even work out, given how much they offered me, the expense I knew it would be and the number of people I was expecting (let alone that it ended up being twice that). But it kind of fell into my lap and I happened to not be doing anything else that weekend, so I agreed because I figured, "hey, why not have a little extra holiday money" and I’ll just charge them more if they ever ask again, or if it really sucks, it’s just one weekend and whatever. It really sucked and I was pretty sure I didn’t want to work for them again (I in fact mentioned that a couple weeks ago). Actually, I’ve been pretty clear they were going to try to stiff me for the last couple weeks that they haven’t returned my phone calls. The thing is, it really is a low rate and may not be worth the effort and frustration of dealing with it, particularly given any bad press that they might generate. I don’t want to be the "guy who sues his clients over chump change." That said, I’m really really really irritated about the lack of professionalism. Not sure what I’m going to do yet.
@marmal8: heh. While that might be fun just to be on the show, that’d be even worse publicity.
I’m SO glad I’m not grownup! I still stand by my position that they should be made miserable in any and every way, shape, form and fashion! That said, isn’t it nice that in spite of your mother’s immaturity, you have grown up to be a nice respectible and responsible citizen? 😉
Me too mate, me too!
@lrayholly: I don’t know if I have… I’m trying… but you know… I did say I was a bitter, cynical asshole.
@*merry*prankster* is lonely :(: thank you for the support
A friend of qiika’s and mine is a lawyer in the ‘Burgh – if it comes to it, let one of us know and we can pass along contact info. I’m not sure if his experience overlaps, but if it doesn’t he’s not the kind of guy who’d b.s. you – he’d point you to someone who matches better in that case.
@Atraxen: that might be helpful. Thanks.
i agree with being as vexing as possible so they learn not to shit on the little guy.
i reccomend visiting this website?
pooyou.com/products
@darkspark: heh… cute. As tempting as that is, I really am attempting to conduct myself in a professional manner here. Otherwise I’m no better than they were. Thanks for the support though.
This sounds like a case for Judge Joe Brown, or Judge Judy, or any one of the hundred other daytime TV judges around… I’d tune in to see that episode! Mav vs. the deadbeat glamor shots company!
@laffy4k: yeah, as fun as it may be, again, not the kinda publicity I really want.
While it might be a rathole to sue these people, it may be worth your time to put together a standard contract for future work for hire. Most industries have a standard way of doing business — I have no idea what it is in photography. In the software business, there’s generally very little liability or responsibility for quality: read the EULA that comes with most software and you’ll see that basically the customer can have no expectation that the software is suitable for any purpose whatsoever or even works! In other businesses, the buyer has much more power and is able to reject work fairly arbitrarily.
This sucks Chris.
Total bullshit that they would come to you and then say the quality of your work is sub par.
Yes, even if you never pursue anything else from this company, a standard contract to use if you ever subcontract again. With stipulations as for payment regardless of satisfaction with the quality of your work.
—
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
@sui66iy: yeah, I really do need to do that. It would have meant I couldn’t reasonably take this gig, but in the long run that probably would have been for the best.
@_MichaelK_: yeah, for the record, I’ve since written them back and sent them their stuff. We’ll see what happens
i wish i was a lawyer (not really) so that i could help you with this…i hope you find someone that can help you with it. it’s not even the money it’s the principle that people shouldn’t be allowed to get away with things like this.
pay up suckers!!!
i read most of the comments here but didn’t find one that said you made a signed agreement of any kind with them? did you? that should be legally binding and able to withstand even the lowest cost lawyers….but without it…well, maybe that’s why you’re feeling so bitter??
great concept