Another client trying to screw me over

[mahmoud316]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

Hello. I had a court interpretation job for today. I went there and waited for an hour, and it turns out that the judge wants a certified interpreter. (well, the judge was ok with it until this a88hole from the other side started objecting)
I explicitly asked the attorney that hired me "do you need a certified interpreter?" and she said no, since non-certified is cheaper, she will go with that.
so I came back, and I just got a call from her that she wants to discuss payment and see if we can waive it, since "you didn't do anything"
are you kidding me? I woke up at 6, got there at 8:30, wasted an hour there, took me another hour to get home, so I lost about 5 hours. In addition, I lost potential business because my phone was ringing and I didn't pick up because I was at the court.

Can she not pay me?
Now I know what your next question is:"what does your contract say?" My contract did NOT have a cancellation clause. Well, originally it did, but I deleted it before sending it to her because I didn't want her to get "offended" by my "no cancellations" clause. dammit why do I have to be so nice?

Anyway, can she not pay me?

 

[Zigner]

Yesterday, you were asking for instructions on the appropriate way to dress. Today you're saying that you do this as a job. How could you not know how to dress if this is your line of work?

 

[mahmoud316]

Yesterday, you were asking for instructions on the appropriate way to dress. Today you're saying that you do this as a job. How could you not know how to dress if this is your line of work?

interpreting is my line of work, I just have never interpreted for courts.

 

[Zigner]

interpreting is my line of work, I just have never interpreted for courts.

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

Was your contract written as a flat-rate charge, or was it written as an hourly charge?

 

[mahmoud316]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

Was your contract written as a flat-rate charge, or was it written as an hourly charge?

it was $x for the first 3 hours, plus $y/hr for any additional hours thereafter.

 

[Proseguru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Can she not pay me?
Now I know what your next question is:"what does your contract say?" My contract did NOT have a cancellation clause. Well, originally it did, but I deleted it before sending it to her because I didn't want her to get "offended" by my "no cancellations" clause. dammit why do I have to be so nice?

Anyway, can she not pay me?

So you changed the contract ; did they sign off on your amended contract and provide you a copy?

If not, they'll just pull out their standard contract and say they lost yours.

 

[mahmoud316]

So you changed the contract ; did they sign off on your amended contract and provide you a copy?

If not, they'll just pull out their standard contract and say they lost yours.

I changed my original contract and THEN sent it to her. The original contract had a "no cancellation" clause, but I deleted it and THEN sent it to her.
She has one and only one contract, which doesn't say anything about cancellations.

 

[Zigner]

This wasn't a cancellation. You were there per the terms of your contract. It seems to me they owe you for at least 3 hours and also for anything over 3 hours that you were at the court.

 

[mahmoud316]

This wasn't a cancellation. You were there per the terms of your contract. It seems to me they owe you for at least 3 hours and also for anything over 3 hours that you were at the court.

I have tried to email her, but my response doesn't sound very professional or legal. can you guys write an explanation on why she has to pay so I can email her?

 

[Zigner]

I have tried to email her, but my response doesn't sound very professional or legal. can you guys write an explanation on why she has to pay so I can email her?

You don't need for it to sound "legal." Just say that you have fulfilled your part of the contract and you expect them to do the same.

 

[mahmoud316]

You don't need for it to sound "legal." Just say that you have fulfilled your part of the contract and you expect them to do the same.

Alright, thanks

 

[Antigone*]

I have tried to email her, but my response doesn't sound very professional or legal. can you guys write an explanation on why she has to pay so I can email her?

You want one of us to write an explanation so you can get paid??? Really???

 

[Mass_Shyster]

it was $x for the first 3 hours, plus $y/hr for any additional hours thereafter.

Does the contract discuss getting paid for translating or waiting? Or is it too vague to tell?

 

[mahmoud316]

Does the contract discuss getting paid for translating or waiting? Or is it too vague to tell?

it's too vague to tell.

 

[ecmst12]

"No, I am not willing to waive my fee".