<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type> <META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18882"> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Small claims might not be an option if the client is out of state.  As for a lawyer, I wouldn't go that route unless the unpaid bill was substantial, otherwise you risk adding to your own loss.  I'd warn the client that I was going to make public his/her name as a bad faith client, one to avoid in future unless the debt was paid. Put the name openly on a blog (as long as you can prove that the debt is owed.  Even emails between you and the client, but hopefully some sort of written agreement.  It's a good argument as to why even a basic contract should be used).</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Maybe we need a 'hit' list somewhere of such clients, because sooner or later they probably will want future research done.  Such a list would allow other researchers to avoid being cheated.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Larry Boswell <FONT size=1>BA, PLCGS</FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.TheBackstairs.com"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">www.TheBackstairs.com</FONT></A></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">"Historical & Genealogical Research Services"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><A href="mailto:LaBoswell@rogers.com"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">LaBoswell@rogers.com</FONT></A></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New"></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">----- Original Message ----- </FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">From: "Rosalie Schack" <</FONT><A href="mailto:historyhunter@q.com"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">historyhunter@q.com</FONT></A><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">To: <</FONT><A href="mailto:thehensons@aol.com"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">thehensons@aol.com</FONT></A><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">>; <</FONT><A href="mailto:apgpubliclist@apgen.org"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">apgpubliclist@apgen.org</FONT></A><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 9:07 PM</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Subject: RE: [APG Public List] client who ignores billing</FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Courier New"><BR><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></DIV><BR><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Alice,<BR><BR>I had a client who did not send her payment, due upon receipt of the bill I sent. Each month I sent another bill, saying it was past due. After six months, when I was trying to decide if it was worth pursuing, she sent payment, with no explanation as to why it was late. The next year she wanted me to do more work for her. I told her I required payment up front, and I did not hear from her again. But I would definitely suggest sending another bill and waiting a reasonable amount of time, say 30 days, for that to be paid before you decide if you want to consult a lawyer. <BR><BR> <BR><BR>Rosalie<BR><BR> <BR>-----------------------<BR>Rosalie Eben Schack, CG<BR>Owatonna, Minnesota<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR><BR>From: </FONT><A href="mailto:Thehensons@aol.com"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Thehensons@aol.com</FONT></A><BR><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:02:05 -0500<BR>To: </FONT><A href="mailto:apgpubliclist@apgen.org"><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">apgpubliclist@apgen.org</FONT></A><BR><FONT size=2 face="Courier New">Subject: [APG Public List] client who ignores billing<BR><BR><BR>  <BR>Hello,<BR> <BR>Any thoughts from your experiences with a client who has ignored my billing?<BR> <BR>History:  I received a $100.00 retainer in late October after meeting with a client to do genealogical work.  After using up the retainer, I called the client to see how many hours he would allow.  He said "40 hours" to me over the phone.  <BR> <BR>I completed the work,spending 24 hours, plus copies and postage.  In late December I sent him a bill and two large priority packages.  I haven't received anything from him. <BR> <BR>Should I call him or write him a letter?   Or, hire a lawyer!  By the way, I have two items that belong to him:  (1) a family history written in 1943 and (2) a master's thesis written by a family member in the 1970's.<BR> <BR>Alice    </FONT></BODY></HTML>