Legal advice

[The Real Laoislad]

I done a job for a company last year,I invoiced them for the work on Nov 11 '07.I still haven't received payment
I rang them in Jan to see what the story was,They asked me to send invoice again as they had misplaced the first one,So i posted and faxed the invoice again
Few weeks went by and i heard nothing from them,So after sending emails to them without a reply i rang them today.
I was told that the guy who i was dealing with who sub contracted the work out to me had left the company and they had no record of any work he asked me to do and so couldn't pay me
What do i do now? I spent nearly €1000 on materials plus spent two days doing the work
Is it worth going through courts for money as this will cost me money or will i just cut my losses and forget about it

[pintsofguinness]

I was told that the guy who i was dealing with who sub contracted the work out to me had left the company and they had no record of any work he asked me to do and so couldn't pay me

What work did you do that they have no record of?  What sort of outfit is this?

I'd write to them politely saying that this wasn't my problem and unless I received payment within 7 days the matter was being passed to my solicitor.
You can get a solicitor to write a letter to them for it and he can also demand his costs and interest which will probably scare the shit out of them and you'll probably get your money.  If this is a company the last thing they want is to risk legal proceedings being issued against them and their name dragged through the courts.

I'm not sure of what way it is in the south but if it was the north Id be concerned that they are denying the debt - because this blocks bankruptcy proceedings - another tactic that would scare the shit out of them. 

[tyronefan]

you can go to the small claims court depending on the amount of the debt ( I think it is under 2000 euro). This is not expensive and I think you do not need a solicitor although their advice would be wise.

[pintsofguinness]

you can go to the small claims court depending on the amount of the debt ( I think it is under 2000 euro). This is not expensive and I think you do not need a solicitor although their advice would be wise.

You don't need a solicitor but I would get him to write a few threatening letters first.

[the green man]

Threating with the small claims, that should sort them out. There's bound to be solicitors on this board who would send a letter for ye. Failing that pm me, I've a sister who does that sort of stuff. Although in a differnet juristiction(SP?).

[Shamrock Shore]

RLL

Is there no C2 thingy signed that would have allowed you to get a payments card?

Get a solicitor to write a letter - I'll organise that for you for their small fee. That usually focuses the mind.

Copy relevant invoices/contracts/emails etc to have to hand.

Also ask the company for yon fellows mobile number to contact him to see if he will vouch for your undoubted good work.

[Orior]

LaoisLad, can you post any interesting URLs that are... ahem.... completely unrelated to this customer?

I fancy making a few Mr Angry phone calls.

[The Real Laoislad]

LaoisLad, can you post any interesting URLs that are... ahem.... completely unrelated to this customer?

I fancy making a few Mr Angry phone calls.

This is their website
I see its not up and running yet though

http://ppmireland.com/

[Tyrones own]

I take it there was a contract signed,
can you not put a lien on the job RLL?

[feetofflames]

This is my take on it could be wrong.
If he was a bonafide subcontractor he will have furnished copies of insurance / site worthiness / tax credentials to prove that he is so to the main company.  This record trail is essential to prove their point.   To prove their case you are entitled to a copy of all these documents from the main company.  then if he is a proven bonafide who asked you to do the job then your business is with the sub contractor not the main company.  In the North I believe you can claim the VAT of  Bad debtors  after a 12 / 24 month period, so that may give you something back. i have let go many small debts before and it eats you.  Weigh it up in its own merits looks like samll claims is the place to go, but you need to find out who you are suing.  To me it sounds like this person was not a subbie and they are trying to fob you off.  Can you withdraw your certification for the system, demand to see it again as there is an equipment replacement order due to quality reasons, or indeed remove any of your gear, would that be of benefit? 

Second option when all else is lost.  I dont know if this is a hole in the hedge style company or a bigger city enterprise, but if they have a public office, then give a tight buck a couple of days pay standing outside their door and spend E40  on a big illuminous sweater or bomber jacket with a message on it, and he can inadvertently knock doors in the neighbourhood asking does anyone know where x business is, therefore spreading the good word.    The message could be:
"Laoislads  No 1 Debt collection service"
"Exposing unscupulous businesses who dont pay their bills"
"We stay until you pay"
Ring them and tell them the press are coming to do a phota of the guy in action at their front door for a feature for your new debt collection business and would they like to put in an advert.
If nothing after two days you will have pissed them off.

[Double Cross]

You need to find out exactly who owes you the money, then its legal advice and the small claims court.

[magickingdom]

LL send them a solicitors letter asap, pointing out that you also want the E150 the letter cost you plus 5% interest on the amount owed to you since the invoice date. it really helps when their bill of say e1600 is now e1800 and gets them off their ass. having said that if its obivious the co is fcuked then dont waste anymore money or time on them..