Nino
08-14-2006, 09:38 AM
There have been many threads about deadbeat clients on this board and also many calls for posting the names and information of these deadbeats in order to protect our fellow photographers. I’m fortunate that I don’t have any, if I don’t know the client is a check upfront or no show for me, actually I should say I have one deadbeat and what hurts the most is that this one is one of us, a fellow photographer.
Back in January 2005 I was asked by a local production company to do a lighting job for a quick shoot. Being a fellow photographer I charged only $500.00. After the shoot he told me to bill the client directly and I should get a check within a few days. This is really peanuts but is the principle that I really don’t like to get screwed no matter of how small the amount is. As expected the client told me, rightfully so, that he did not hire me and the person who hired me is responsible to pay me. So every few months for the last 19 months I called many times and left voice messages, sent many and many e-mails and not a single answer. Then yesterday I was looking thru the B-Roll freelance directory and what do you know? My fellow deadbeat photographer is listed as a member, not an active one. So I sent him an e-mail plainly stating that unless I get paid within few days I will plaster his name on every board that I know. Ten minutes later I got an e-mail back with bunch of reasons of why I did not get paid but with the promise that he will send me a check immediately. I understand that everybody has some sort of money problems and I’m very sympathetic and very helpful to anyone who needs help. But what I can’t stand is no communication.
Oh, the power of the web. Stay tuned because if I don’t get the check this week his name and the name of the client will appear on this board. No mercy for deadbeats.
Back in January 2005 I was asked by a local production company to do a lighting job for a quick shoot. Being a fellow photographer I charged only $500.00. After the shoot he told me to bill the client directly and I should get a check within a few days. This is really peanuts but is the principle that I really don’t like to get screwed no matter of how small the amount is. As expected the client told me, rightfully so, that he did not hire me and the person who hired me is responsible to pay me. So every few months for the last 19 months I called many times and left voice messages, sent many and many e-mails and not a single answer. Then yesterday I was looking thru the B-Roll freelance directory and what do you know? My fellow deadbeat photographer is listed as a member, not an active one. So I sent him an e-mail plainly stating that unless I get paid within few days I will plaster his name on every board that I know. Ten minutes later I got an e-mail back with bunch of reasons of why I did not get paid but with the promise that he will send me a check immediately. I understand that everybody has some sort of money problems and I’m very sympathetic and very helpful to anyone who needs help. But what I can’t stand is no communication.
Oh, the power of the web. Stay tuned because if I don’t get the check this week his name and the name of the client will appear on this board. No mercy for deadbeats.