Would like to know if anyone maintains a list of deadbeat sign companys who contract for installation and then don't pay. If so, I have a few to add to the list. For those of us who do contract installation work it would be nice to have a track record on companys we do business with.
Jon
You are correct with reference to the law; however, it does set me off when you perform work for someone and they don't even have the gumption to return a call. A lame brain excuse is probably better than no response. Fortunately, it does not happen very often but it would be nice to be able to share the names of those who are guilty.
Jon
I've had this same problem with some sign shops so I've now changed my policy. Before I will do work for another sign company I require 50% down and they must supply me with credit references, including their bank references. If they don't like my policy then they can get someone else to do the work for them. I run an honest & trustworthy sign business and I expect other sign companies that I do work for to be the same way. No deposit, no credit references, no work! Also, if your policy for the rest of the payment is 30 days then don't make me wait 60....If you do, then I will travel the distance to your shop and meet you in person and see what kind of excuse you have. Call me fed up!
Anona,
I have a thought ....is there some legal way that an organization could be set up that a peron could go to and register complaints against sign companies, like the better business bureau does? Hey...we can register complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Wow, it just hit me like lightning....let's register our complaints against these types of sign companies and then check with the BBB before we do work for other sign shops. Of course this will only work if we register our complaints. Until something better comes along I guess this is the best we can do.
DJ:
I like your approach to business. We also pay our bills on time and meet our contractual obligations. I do not like being used by crooks in the sign business. If we could only establish a clearing house of information on delinquent companies, it might prevent the next honest guy from getting the shaft.
Of course, the law looks after the crooks first.
Jon
Regarding the legal aspects, if the record of complaint is accurate, as an account of how long it took to get to paid, the numebr of calls required, and the number of those not returned, as well as if it was a direct violation of your originally agreed on terms, then not much can be done about it unless they spend a lot of money on legal costs and get a sleeping judge. But I would be happy to share those national manufacturers who've done us wrong over the phone. We call our local sign sully distributor for credit references, because they also sell to the national account manufacturers, and the're always happy to help us little guys.
the trucking industry has the same problems,a big company will broker a load to a small independent trucker,he will haul the load and then not get paid.They have book,I think its called the truckers Gold book that will list trucking companys and how quick they pay.I think we could set up the same type of system over the net where for a small fee you could sign on to a web site and look up to see what type of company you are dealing with,the trick would be that everyone would need to put in the info on each company including good and bad .
Yeah, there's a couple of them here in Illinois. Rule-Two, Inc. out of Deerfield, IL (used to be in Schaumburg, IL) and Directional Strategies, Inc. out of Schaumburg, IL. They just went through 5 printers and keep on going, without paying, and there's nothing the Sherriff, County or Collection Agencies can do about it. Just don't do business with them. Their names should be listed, just in case they assume another business name so you don't get caught in their trap.
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Jon, if you were going to offer names, you'd probably want to do it anonymously. I don't believe in anonymous back stabbing, but I can guarantee you that if you print something publicly, it becomes an irrefutable record of your allegation. Whether it's true or not, you can be sued for defamation of character, if you accidentally piss off the wrong guys. It's not like slander or libel; it's damaging the plaintiff's ability to do business, which is true, and thus grounds for legal remedy. This is one of those things where the law is an ass, and I think it's not really fair. But it is the law, so you have to figure out how to skirt it effectively.