Hi,
I periodically do website design or updates for clients. One client, who was one of the first I worked for and a (now former) family friend, hired me to do some updates for her from July-October 2004. I've sent her something like 30 e-mailed bills (Her business is web-based, so I thought that would be the best way to reach her.) and also a print bill. Everything I've called her she has not picked up, but when I block the Caller I.D. and call a few minutes later shes picks up and says she never received the bill. I know I have her address and e-mail address right, none of the bills have bounced back, and I carbon-copied a number of them to myself and they came through fine. I threatened to add a late fee in one of my e-mails if she didn't respond by a certain time. She didn't respond. What is the best way to deal with someone like this? I didn't have a contract with her. Should I threaten to call the Better Business Bureau or Small Claims Court or both? What can they do? She's self-employed, but her business just opened up a store component in our community. Can I legally charge her a late fee? And threaten another late fee in certified letter threatening to call the Better Business Bureau or Small Claims Court? I checked her business through the Better Business Bureau and there had been a complaint against the business; the customer had problems getting a refund. But they were resolved. Thank you.
I periodically do website design or updates for clients. One client, who was one of the first I worked for and a (now former) family friend, hired me to do some updates for her from July-October 2004. I've sent her something like 30 e-mailed bills (Her business is web-based, so I thought that would be the best way to reach her.) and also a print bill. Everything I've called her she has not picked up, but when I block the Caller I.D. and call a few minutes later shes picks up and says she never received the bill. I know I have her address and e-mail address right, none of the bills have bounced back, and I carbon-copied a number of them to myself and they came through fine. I threatened to add a late fee in one of my e-mails if she didn't respond by a certain time. She didn't respond. What is the best way to deal with someone like this? I didn't have a contract with her. Should I threaten to call the Better Business Bureau or Small Claims Court or both? What can they do? She's self-employed, but her business just opened up a store component in our community. Can I legally charge her a late fee? And threaten another late fee in certified letter threatening to call the Better Business Bureau or Small Claims Court? I checked her business through the Better Business Bureau and there had been a complaint against the business; the customer had problems getting a refund. But they were resolved. Thank you.