Northern Cards Greeting Card Company

Hi there! I'm new to this board. Is anyone here familiar with this greeting card company? It's based in Missisauga, Canada. A while ago I sold 4 Mother's Day cards to them (written and illustrated) and I am having a hell of a time getting paid. I've gotten to the point where I am talking to a lawyer.

Has anyone else had problems with this company regarding payment?

re: Northern Cards

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. And I'll look into the Greeting card thread, too, (though I'm not sure where to find it).

I know of a couple artist colleagues who have also had a hard getting paid in a timely fashion. Quite frankly, I think it's a shoddy way to do business, and this will be the last time I work for them. I figured it was a cash-flow problem, but if they're having financial trouble, they shouldn't be asking artists to do work for them (they approached me, and we agreed upon a certain price, and I made it very clear to them that I am to be paid no later than 30 days after the issue of my invoice).

What was really a turn-off for me was that they would promise me the cheque, and then it wouldn't show up, and then they would give some excuse for not paying me.

Magoon, if I were you, I would look into whether or not you could take them to Small Claims Court. I don't see why not. That's just ridiculous to have to wait that long for your work. They are making a profit on your cards, claiming copyright on them, and technically you still own the copyright until you get paid.

Anyway, I DID get my cheque today, but that's because I raised a right royal stink to get it. Plus I had some very good help.

Re: Northern Cards

Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Magoon – one of my artist colleagues who had trouble getting money from Northern Cards was from the States. She suggested contacting the US Embassy in Canada; apparently they were very eager to help her out.

patricia

Re: Northern Cards

Magoon, that is a load of CRAP about the lack of funds in their US account. We all know how easy it is to transfer money back and forth between US and Canadian accounts. That's the same lame excuse they told my artist colleague who lives in the States.

Oh, and I love the tracking number for a package they never sent; the president pulled a similar ploy on me, too. He said he sent my cheque via regular mail, but it must have got lost, and well, he has no control over Canada Post! He managed to send me my cheque via UPS today only because I really put the heat on him. And why didn't he send it courier to start with? Because he's a sleaze who wants to duck payment. I have zero patience for that kind of crap.

Your work is GREAT, and I really hope you are sending your stuff to other places, too, not just Northern. No one should have to put up with how they treat their artists and writers.

I sold some stuff to them years ago (and didn't experience the problems I did this time), but I don't want to show you my old cards; they're terrible! My new stuff probably won't go online for a while.

Northern Cards

Hey Storm and Mr Magoon,

The company I represent printed your Mother's Day cards last year (2006). During this initial print run, we had produced over 300,000 greeting cards for Northern Cards and to this day we have yet to recieve any payment from them.

We have stood behind Northern Cards through their so called "difficult times" and on many occassions we continued to produce their cards even when their previous invoice had exceeded 60 days.

Trust me, we have heard every excuse under the sun and sadly enough, our working relations has come to an end.

Another printer here in London also got burned by Northern Cards for a substantial amount of money about 5 years ago for over 800,000 greeting cards.

It appears Northern Cards lead printers to believe a working relation has been established and eventually they break the trust (payment) barrier and move on to another printer.

I have recently learned that the printer they are now dealing with is experiencing difficulties in receiving their paymentsfrom Northern Cards.

I have also received word that the president of Northern Cards has recently been fired.

Is Northern Greeting Cards about to turn a new leaf????

......I doubt it!!!

I welcome any suggestions on how to retrieve our outstanding invoice from Northern Cards.
Mr Printer

Alternate Suppliers

Thanks to everyone for your candid feedback regarding Northern Cards. Does anyone know of other greeting card suppliers that I may approach to buy cards for distribution?

Obviously I do not want to deal with Northern Cards. I came close to signing on for a territory with them but thankfully I found Absolute Write first.

Thanks again.

Wool over eyes

You can count yourself lucky! My experience with them was not a good one. You did ask for another supplier. Check out Hazy Jean Inc. at hazyjean.com and you might find what you are looking for. I have done some writing for them and was always paid prior to publishing. Good luck!
Mums the word

Wool Over Eyes!

Thank goodness you read my email regarding Northern Cards.

I noticed you were looking for another greeting card supplier. I would highly recommend contacting a company called Hazy Jean Inc. Not only is Hazy Jean a pleasure to do business with, they are also very professional too!
I know firsthandbecause I manage the printing for this company!

....I wish all of my clients ran their business like Hazy Jean.

Sincerely,

Mr. Printer

Wool Over Eyes

Mums the Word and Mr. Printer,

Thank you for your replies. I will be sure to check out Hazy Jeans.

I had heard a couple of negatives about them. It is heartening to hear that there is some supporters out there.

Thanks to both,

Wool Over Eyes