One of my customers threatened a lawsuit too!

[Techman]

its not just signmakers.
Its computer techs who get it too. I had a client last summer who wanted his machine repaired. I imaged the drive as I always do in these cases. Got his machine running again and waited to git paid. After about 7 invoices and no response I finally forgot about it. Why? Karma has its ways.

Last fall after I told him untold times to avoid vista for his machine he took it to one of those install vista seminars and quickly found himself with out drivers and thusly a dead machine.

He called asking if I still had his image. Yes.. Can you reinstall it and get my XP machine running?
yes for $650 bux..in advance. Why so much? Because you still have a past due from the last time.
Oh well I don't think its worth that much. Why are you holding my data hostage???
First of all I gotta find out where your files are. Then I gotta load the drive into the machine, then I gotta restore the image. it will take more than a few minutes.

But, you dont have to sit there while the it transfers data. You can't charge me for that time.

Ok. I got your machine running on a weekend and had you back in business Monday morning and the work i did wasn't worth what i charged? ok,, have it your way. I got 4 others here that want their machines fixed an I have to image their drives and I don't have space to store yours any more. So either you get it here with $750.00 cash in advance or your hostage will be executed.

See, it happens all the time and karma has its ways.

 

[tamiya]

$100 extra for the explanation - i like!!

 

[graphixtogo]

Commentary on "Professionals"... please read

Fred mentions "Professionals" having disdain for "non-professionals"...

Ever notice that we "non-professionals" own and operate our own BUSINESSES... businesses in the sense that we do a service or provide a product of value, for pay, as a career, in order to earn a living...

"PROFESSIONALS", such as lawyers and doctors, as a profession, participate in a "PRACTICE", indicating that they are in constant "practice"... To me, practice is something you do while learning to do something and involves trial and error... interesting...

We operate BUSINESSES while they PRACTICE by trial and error...

Who's the professional NOW????????

Yes, we PROFESSIONALS (business owners) do have disdain for NON-PROFESSIONALS (people who PRACTICE while taking care of OUR health and legal issues).



:Big Laugh:




LEGAL DISCLAIMER: If not obvious, this commentary is meant as humorous, and in no way reflects the opinions of the owner(s) of this forum, website, or the owners of the internet(s). If you do not agree with these statements, you have the right to exercise your rights, in any way you see fit to exercise, to obtain said fitness, as exercise is the best way to obtain fitness, and when fit, by means of exercise, you are more likely to agree with things that you might not agree with before obtaining said fitness. The terms, PROFESSIONAL, NON-PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS, and PRACTICE, are capitalized for emphasis of said terms and not because the author is yelling at you. I no way does this commentary indicate that the author holds a personal, or professional, grudge against professionals, non-professionals, businesses, practices, Fred, this forum or the owner(s) of the internet(s). It also does not explicitly indicate that business owners, especially sign business owners, make a profit from their professions, or even make a living at it. They love their art so much that they often do it for free, or more likely, at a loss. They wait for the phone to ring as it may be a customer in need of a last minute sign, banner, or graphic that said customer has no intent of paying for, even after approving layouts, colors, sizes, etc., signs off on proofs, and stands over the artists shoulder during install making comments about how easy that looks and that they think they will buy their own paints, brushes, cutter, vinyls, squeeges (both gold squeeges and BIG Squeeges), knives, rulers, Wrap Daddy and Rip Daddy computers, software, large format printer, laminator, propane torch (or heat gun), delivery truck, ladders, bucket truck, grommet machine, and a wrap install kit from Fellers, only to later realize, while installing that last minute sign for their customer (who is standing over their shoulder making comments about how easy that looks and think they want to try their hand at it), that they are not going to get paid for their work, and then decide that they can't make a living and then sell all that equipment for $1500.00 on eBay and then go back to their former job. Yes, this is what we professional sign-shop business owners live for...





Yes, I spent way too much time on this... I need a life...

gtg

 

[zmatalucci]

are you bored, or intoxicated?

 

[graphixtogo]

ADHD meds are wearing off......

once I started on the disclaimer thing, my mind just kept going and going. there were so many things that I could have listed in there related to topics from these forums. It's a never-ending supply of comedic material!

okay... maybe I should get intoxicated... :Big Laugh

 

[onesource]

A second thought
She is going to make herself look like an idiot if she goes through with this, it would be cheaper to remove the sign than make some specialty cover for channel letters or wrap a few ropes all the way around the building, if your anchors are still there then they worked and the banner failed because they're not designed to cover channel letters but we do it some times because it's for a short time and enought to convey a message. She might as well sue for wet paper that tears too easy.
I have channel letter covers for sale $699.32 install not included. and bubbas super sticky slly putty for banner to brick install.


Sue her for stupidity

 

[Fred Weiss]

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: If not obvious, this commentary is meant as humorous, and in no way reflects the opinions of the owner(s) of this forum, website, or the owners of the internet(s). If you do not agree with these statements, you have the right to exercise your rights, in any way you see fit to exercise, to obtain said fitness, as exercise is the best way to obtain fitness, and when fit, by means of exercise, you are more likely to agree with things that you might not agree with before obtaining said fitness. The terms, PROFESSIONAL, NON-PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS, and PRACTICE, are capitalized for emphasis of said terms and not because the author is yelling at you. I no way does this commentary indicate that the author holds a personal, or professional, grudge against professionals, non-professionals, businesses, practices, Fred, this forum or the owner(s) of the internet(s). It also does not explicitly indicate that business owners, especially sign business owners, make a profit from their professions, or even make a living at it. They love their art so much that they often do it for free, or more likely, at a loss. They wait for the phone to ring as it may be a customer in need of a last minute sign, banner, or graphic that said customer has no intent of paying for, even after approving layouts, colors, sizes, etc., signs off on proofs, and stands over the artists shoulder during install making comments about how easy that looks and that they think they will buy their own paints, brushes, cutter, vinyls, squeeges (both gold squeeges and BIG Squeeges), knives, rulers, Wrap Daddy and Rip Daddy computers, software, large format printer, laminator, propane torch (or heat gun), delivery truck, ladders, bucket truck, grommet machine, and a wrap install kit from Fellers, only to later realize, while installing that last minute sign for their customer (who is standing over their shoulder making comments about how easy that looks and think they want to try their hand at it), that they are not going to get paid for their work, and then decide that they can't make a living and then sell all that equipment for $1500.00 on eBay and then go back to their former job. Yes, this is what we professional sign-shop business owners live for...

You've been working far too hard and we're here to escort you to a peaceful place where you can get some rest. :Big Laugh

 

[TR1018]

Shakespeare had it right "kill all the lawyers".

The few times I have been threatened by law suit I always tell them they have my permission to sue me - seems to take them off guard.
Until we have a system where looser pays legal bills on both sides we will continue to suffer from to many lawyers.

 

[graphixtogo]

You've been working far too hard and we're here to escort you to a peaceful place where you can get some rest. :Big Laugh

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa.
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa.
To the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy
to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they're coming
to take me away, ha-haaa!!!

Just got done watching Wild Hogs for the first time! Hilarious!!
I need some excitement... I feel like "slappin' a bull"!!! :Big Laugh

 

[Ken]

Your certainly in your rights to counter-sue for costs after successfully defending against the claimant. Of course, the money is tied up until then. That's how the lawyers get you. A person or business with limited resources can be seriously harmed..even when innocent.
I think it is changing...a defense attourney can request costs be paid by the plaintiff.
" What do you call 400 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?......
A GOOD START!!!
Cheers!
Ken

 

[darkdan]

This is why I avoid doing work for:

1.) doctors
2.) lawyers
3.) corvette owners
4.) BMW owners

 

[Flame]

Amazing...


I will say some of the worst people I have ever dealt with are women. I don't know what is, but women in power... ugly. They go on little power and ego trips, very annoying and very hard to deal with. Don't know what it is, maybe just a fad/ trend with businesswomen this days, but it's quite amazing.

I am in no way sexist, just observing. And yes, jerks DO come in both sexes.

 

[testacorsa]

Oh my god man - hope everything turns out as it should (you get payed, and she apollogizes)

Here is one for you:

What is the difference between that lawyer and a vulture?

- the lawyer gets bonus points when she flies! :Big Laugh

 

[onesmf]

Three letters, and all of us have them...EGO. The only thing that seperates the moral from the obesessed, positive thinking! We are all but a flash in the pan in the grand scheme of things. The earth will not stop rotating when our time has come, no matter who you are. Unfortunately, the vast majority of individuals do not realize this. Otherwise, you certainly would not have to deal with an individual believing that they can throw their weight around just to intimidate you. Sorry you had to deal with that, but it is only a matter of time before each of us encounter such a myopic individual.
Brush it off and always remember the power of positive thinking!

 

[Gino]

Respect makes the world a better place.

What many have a problem seeing is that owners or main producers for a sign business are the same as a doctor, lawyer, dentist etc. in that they are generating the bulk of the billable hours against which the overhead of the business must be charged.

The lady at the doctor's office yesterday looked upon my time as promotional for my business as if I was a clerk in a store. I looked on it as an expert consultation to satisfy her requirements. Yes I could have advised her by phone of the typical cost or my rate for consultation and ended up saving a trip. My point is her perspective of the value of my time was considerably different than mine and that viewpoint permeates the professional field.

:Oops: I resent that remark.... totally. LOL I never want to be associated with any of those bottom feeders. I've had my fill of doctor's, lawyers and other so-called professionals. I might not have gone to school for an extra two to four years to get a degree in my profession, but I know what I'm doing and if they want to talk down to me.... I just politely turn and walk away.

That is one of the best feelings in the world anyone can have.... to look someone straight in the eye and say.... Thank You, but NO thank you !!

 

[Techman]

Remember
When you die.. IT matters not who comes to your funeral

But it matters much who does not...

 

[The Big Squeegee]

I just changed doctors. On my second visit he was 1 1/2 hours late seeing me. I told him that was unacceptable to me as my time is valuable. He looked at me and asked what I do that is more valuable than waiting to see a doctor. His solution was for me to make an appointment for an earlier time in the day. Oh, and be sure to make an appointment for a follow up on the med change.

I wonder if it would do any good to send him a bill reflecting my shop rate for not keeping the appointment.

 

[Pat Whatley]

I wonder if it would do any good to send him a bill reflecting my shop rate for not keeping the appointment.

Why not? I did it to my dentist years ago after sitting in his office for almost an hour. He never paid the bill, we talked about it though, and I've never had to wait more than five minutes again since then.

 

[weaselboogie]

. He looked at me and asked what I do that is more valuable than waiting to see a doctor. .

Brilliant!
Think that would work with your customers? "What is more valuable than WAITING to work on your compamy's branding?"

I think the funniest part of that is not actually SEEING the doctor, but WAITING to see the doctor. Sounds like he's been working on that one.

 

[cdiesel]

I think the difference in view is from "educated" professionals. Since we didn't go to school as long as they did, we're not as good. I truly believe anyone who operates their own business successfully is a professional by its very meaning. I bet I could whip up a nice looking degree to frame on my wall with my roland!

On a side note, I had my crown fall off a tooth leaving an appointment with a client this morning. I called my dentist, and they had me in within two hours. Fixed me up, and I was back at work three hours after it came loose. And, the doc did the work gratis. Class act professional.