File puptcrit/puptcrit.0904, message 84


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.

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