services rendered. customer stopped payment!

**Snoopy2645** · 08-16-2006, 03:21 PM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

forgive & forget!! Lesson learned if you want paid for something dont deal with friends neighbors or relatives!!!

**Broken Arrow** · 08-16-2006, 03:35 PM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Did the two of you have anything written down? A contract of some kind?

How much was the dated checks?

Have you talked to her yet? If so, what did she say?

**Crystallas** · 08-16-2006, 09:58 PM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Be a good neibor and do without it. I never charge friends or family for computer work, and I dont think I would charge a neibor in a rut either. Theres no reason to live in a neiborhood where you cant rely on neibors as friends.
If I were you, the next time I saw her I would ask her how she was doing, and be friendly. If she appologizes about the payment, tell her its no problem, you understand how hard it is to live in todays world without a working computer and wish her the best. I mean cmon, you did very low level work, its not like you busted out the soldering iron and replaced her caps and gavce her parts you had lying around(which I also do for for my friends and family for free.)
I know its a service, but were only human. Life comes before money, as much as you require money for life, this isnt jack squat to complain about, and any judge will throw this out if you try to sue her.

**LuckyRobin** · 08-16-2006, 10:48 PM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

I would at least ask her what happened. She may have been in a bind at the time they would have been cashed but is okay now and is too embarrassed to say anything.

**neatdesign** · 08-17-2006, 03:36 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

She wrote you postdated checks, so if she knew there weren't enough funds in her bank account to cover the checks on those dates and didn't tell you, at the very least she is responsible for reimbursing any bank fees you were charged for her bounced checks.

Like LuckyRobin said, I would ask her what the deal was. She may have been embarrassed for not having enough to cover the checks, but that doesn't mean that you should have to pay for that embarrassment. If she is a decent person she will understand this and try to work something out with you. If she isn't, then it's probably not worth your time and energy to pursue it any further.

~ Jenney

**scrava** · 08-17-2006, 03:39 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

did the checks actually not have the funds to cover them?
Or, did she issue stop payments on those checks?
(2 different things and most banks charge to issue a stop payment)

**computervirus** · 08-17-2006, 03:49 AM

$0 to post a "be nice"

Thank you all for your posts.

Its funny actually, to read the responses so far.

Apparently, you all seem to forget what I do puts bread on my table.
I fix computers for a living - not for charity.

If the same woman had called upon someone from outside of the neighbourhood - say called the Geek Squad - who charge over $120 an hour - Would it be ok if she stopped payment on their checks?

Do you really think I am the only one not getting paid by this lady?

No. Your responses are right out of line.

And worse yet: Because it costs you only your time to type, its very easy for people to say "heah, forget it - be nice - go ahead and give away your services to everyone - why accept money for what you do for a living?"

People, get real.

You are correct, however, in assuring me that investigating my clients BEFORE performing services is indeed good advice. Had I known up front about this lady I would never had accepted 3 useless post dated cheques.

But as you say,
Live and Learn.

Thank you all again.

**computervirus** · 08-17-2006, 03:55 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Originally posted by scrava

did the checks actually not have the funds to cover them?
Or, did she issue stop payments on those checks?
(2 different things and most banks charge to issue a stop payment)

The bank confirmed there was money in the account.

The three cheques had "stop payments" issued.

Funny you should ask about the charges !!!

The bank charges $30 per stop payment - $90 total.

My charge to back up personal data (still on a hard drive, if she needs her data and pictures again) and to reinstall the operating system
- is $180

So, this lady SAVED HERSELF $90 (180-90=90).

She does not have the decency to do more than hang up when I call.

Any other advice?

**poundwise** · 08-17-2006, 04:04 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

I don't know what the specific rules are in your area (I noticed the 'u' in neighbour, etc.), but ordinarily you don't need a written contract when you have, in-hand, three signed checks. That indicates an agreement to pay for services. If services were rendered accordingly, and there aren't extenuating circumstances, then what you have in your situation is a form of fraud.

Based on what you've stated, I would probably not pursue it myself; simply due to the amount and the time and effort required to pursue it. However, that is certainly your perogative.

Unfortunately, according to this site...

http://www.ckfraud.org/faq.html

"...a check which was dishonored because payment was stopped, and not because of insufficient funds, may not be prosecuted criminally."

Your only recourse then would seem to be to take her to small claims court.

PS: Also, I'm pretty sure your post above will be edited by a moderator. You accomplish nothing by posting this woman's personal info like that.

**msnln** · 08-17-2006, 05:27 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

This reminds me of story I read in NY times a while back where this guy used internet to get people to help him retrieve a lost cell phone. Here is the link (you might have to sign up to NY times website) :

Tale of a Lost Cellphone, and Untold Static (Published 2006)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/nyregion/21sidekick.html?ei=5088&en=d381f9622c0c59ce&ex=1308542400&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1155820798-Y9iePSzKEL2M52cBaeP+PA

A man's quest to retrieve a friend's lost cellphone ended with a teen's arrest in Queens and her humiliation on the Internet.

I think it is absolutely wrong for this lady to scam to get free service and then intentionally stop payment. Computervirus did her a favor by taking post dated checks and waited until she was back on her feet. I say we start a letter writing campaign to get this lady to pay, and Computervirus should consider other resources available, like telling her that he will turn the checks over to collections or something in that line.

I used to have online business and customers like that really p***ed me off. Anyway, I am going to write an email to this woman and let her know what I think of what she had done.

**sweeps** · 08-17-2006, 05:33 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Originally posted by msnln

I used to have online business and customers like that really p***ed me off. Anyway, I am going to write an email to this woman and let her know what I think of what she had done.

How do you know that the OP isn't lying and is simply attempting to harrass or stalk this woman? We haven't heard the other side of the story.

**msnln** · 08-17-2006, 05:35 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Hmm.. I guess moderator deleted personal information b/c now I cant find the email address any more and I did not get to sending that email yet! CV, if you would send her email address, I would follow up on my above comments and I think other members of this board should do so as well.

PS. Another option might be to post her personal file information all over the web. (Am I being too evil here?)

**msnln** · 08-17-2006, 06:00 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Good point Sweeps. CV, why don't you post scans of her checks on a website. While you are at it, why don't you just make a webpage out of it and link to this site. That way, we all know your issue is legit and I will barrage her email and give her piece of my mind.

**sakigt** · 08-17-2006, 06:42 AM

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Sorry if most people assume "neighbor" means you were making a deal for her.

So your CLIENT made a stop payment on a check. Thats no excuse for not owing it (so I could stop payment my mortgage checks and not be responsible for them? lol...i wish)

Send a certified letter then take her to court.

services rendered. customer stopped payment!