Anyone ever had to go through this?
Yes, we all have.
Doesn’t mean they aren’t bastards though.
Bastards
In
4 responses
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I think she’s being childish and unreasonable. Many a time I’ve had to wait 45 days or so for payment but I haven’t gone running to the NUJ or demanding cash. This woman doesn’t live in the real world.
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MrS
I’ve been a journalist for nine years. I’ve had late payers in abundance but I know a shyster when I see one. This agency has no intention of paying me, cuttings or no cuttings. They have a terrible reputation among suppliers and freelancers locally.
I work with them on a retainer basis. The client pays them on 30 days and I also got 30 days, until they decided earlier this year it was going to be 60 days. They didn’t tell me this, just avoided paying me for two months with one invoice and the same with the following invoice. After weeks of trying to get them to tell me what was happening with the retainer agreement they said it was going to be in the current payment format. I accepted this on the basis there would be no late payments. They agreed.
It’s just irritating that when I am 40 plus 5 days pregnant they decided to withold payment when I am obviously tied up with having a baby.
I think he is the childish one, demanding my cuttings folder and offering for me to take photocopies of my own property or he will free of charge. I asked for cash because I believe they will stop the cheque when they get the cuttings.
I pay subscription to the NUJ for many reasons and assistance with late payers is a route I haven’t had to pursue before but that is one of the services the NUJ offers.
Too bad you haven’t made use of it.
Why shouldn’t I ask for payment of my invoice within the agreed terms when I’ve carried out the work? It’s you who clearly doesn’t live in the real world. -
It’s a buyer’s market but good luck to you if you can afford to fall out with these people. Late payment makes me cross but I’m a realist. Getting uptight ain’t going to help. By the way, you didn’t mention their poor reputation in your post. Frankly, I think diplomacy would be better.
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Mr S
No I haven’t mentioned their poor rep with others. It is the opinion of the locals in this area that is because the MD knows I am heavily pregnant that he is trying it on.
I decided this year that this was my last year working with agencies, as a freelance. I am going to go it alone next year, to avoid these problems.
I got uptight because his very notion that I could “copy” my own property if I wished or he could do it free of charge was just so childish. I purchased all the cuttings myself and I didn’t claim for them. His demands I hand them over otherwise he will not pay an invoice that is completely unrelated to cuttings is blackmail.
I’ve tried diplomacy and backtracked several times in that email. I offered to give a copy of them. I even accepted a cheque (even though I know there is a strong chance it will be stopped) and yesterday I even asked him what time frame he has in mind for the cheque. But each time, he has to push it that bit further.
He is a known swine and just because I am about to have a baby and be completely tied up with that, doesn’t mean I will be one to let this slide.
I am waiting to hear back when exactly this cheque will be available and we’ll take it from there. Thankfully, the NUJ is supportive of this case.
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