SlidellWave wrote:
TUPF wrote:
PeteRasche wrote:
Roller wrote:
I once had a construction inspector who worked for me, but who did masonry work on the side. Whenever he built a chimney, he secretly mortared in a pane of glass across the chimney about halfway up, because he said that although his agreements were that payment was due when the job was complete, more than half the time people tried to delay payment, sometimes as long as several months. When they paid, he would drop a brick down the chimney to break the glass and allow the smoke to go out. Otherwise, they would call him to complain about smoke backing up into the house, to which he would reply that he could fix it quickly, once they paid him.
Roller, that is brilliant.
I agree. I guess I live in a bubble and would never guess folks would stiff a hard working craftsman after he has worked his tail off fixing your crap.
Are you serious or are you making a hidden point?
I am naively serious. I grew up poor. I still remember the anger and hurt when someone would stiff me on my weekly paper route collection (it was $1.62/week and yes I remember the amount) when I was 10. I was fortunate enough with my Tulane education and life experience to make a nice living until I retired last year. Barring disaster I am set for life.
I pay anyone doing work around my house immediately, or at least the same day I receive an invoice. My daughter as a classical violin soloist is an independent contractor and it grates me to no end when big entities, usually major orchestras, take 2-3 months to pay her even though the contract says immediate payment. They basically raise their middle finger because they know they have all the leverage—the performance is already done and you have to then beg to get paid. You wouldn’t believe how many times invoices “get lost.”
So yes, I am serious. If you expect someone to do quality work for you, you should pay them immediately or else don’t enter into an agreement. Big entities can float expenses for months. The little guy has to pay his bills every month so if he has to chase you to get paid for services already rendered you are seriously impacting his/her life. I admire the creative genius of Roller’s brick mason example while decrying the need.