From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca> To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org> Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 20:06:41 -0400 Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] signed contracts Contracts are unfortunately just a piece of paper, in the eyes of people without honor. Without a well-paid lawyer and the time to enforce it in case of failure on the part of the customer, it's just a scare tactic. Still useful in some cases of customers who wouldn't even risk to go to court, but with some others, it's easy to disregard. Fame and public image have nothing to do with how reliable and honorable people are. Some BIG international names based here in Quebec are famous (among the trades they hire people from) for not honoring their contracts, and/or underpaying their service providers. I'm still owed 1200$ by a customer (a team), even though they provided a contract, which we all signed. I got paid my usual 50%+supplies in advance, without a problem. So from that, and the fact they were famous and seemd like nice people, I trusted them, and gave them my best work, in reccord time. But after I handed them the puppets (8 human-size latex caricatures of famous local people), I haven't seen a single cent of the rest. They have the puppets. They have barely used them before giving up on the project, so they probably (and illogically) feel that they no longer need to pay me the rest. Work done, salary due. This should be common sense! They (including their agent) don't return my calls or letters. What's the use of a contract if it offers no protection? I don't think I'll see that money again. So, I still use written contracts, because for some people they still mean something. I'll also do work without a contract, because I've had a lot of success with those, since I always ask for 50% deposit +supplies before I start work. But now I won't accept work if they expect me to hand in the finished product without the final payment. Gimme my money (cheques need to be cleared first), then I give you your puppet. I find it very sad and frustrating to have to be this hardcore and on the defensive with things that should come naturally. _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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