From a Fellow "Gobsmackee"
Hi, my name is Annie and I just signed on to the forums today. I had a bad experience with a client who hired me to freelance for him and after the work put me off for weeks about payment, giving one excuse or another. I've realized, especially since he has stopped returning calls and emails that he isn't going to pay me.
His name is Scott Raskeiwicz and the Company is People Enterprises out of Austin, TX.
I did a big write up about it on my blog
http://writerchicktalks.com/2008/06/21/gobsmacked-scammed-again/
(I hope it's okay to put in the link)
If you want to see the gory details.
If this guy offers you work, I'd say run in the other direction. Or in the alternative if anyone out there has done work for him and either been scammed or paid, I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Annie
Annie, your experience is so strikingly similar to my own that it's scary. I made a comment on your blog about this as well.
I've worked with Scott on two previous projects for which I was paid. I received the first payment with no problem other than it was sent back because it had the wrong zip code.
The second payment was delayed because, as he stated, the client had not yet paid him. In this scenario, he sent me a payment anyway even though the client had not paid him. At this point, I thought, "What a great guy - a man of integrity."
Lately, that integrity has been in question as I have been waiting about seven weeks to receive payment in excess of $2000 for the last two projects I completed for People Enterprises. As a single man, a delay of this magnitude has been less than desirable for me, my landlord, my creditors, my insurance company, and everyone else who likes to get money from me every month.
I'm going to take the advice you were given as I, too, have tried to contact Scott by email and phone for several weeks with no success. I received some of the same excuses you did. Enough is enough.
I've tried to give him the benefit of the doubt as this type of behavior wasn't the pattern as we began our business relationship. I see now that it's time to put the pressure on and, firmly yet tactfully, demand my rights.
Thanks for sharing your story. Words can't express how much it's helped me. For a moment, I thought I was the only one dealing with this. I'm also glad to hear you received the payment overnight after taking action. I honestly thought the man was dead, hospitalized or on an extended vacation.
Well, that's it for now. I've got some phone calls to make and an email to send to Mr. Raskeiwicz. Thanks again, Annie.