Should I use Collection agency?
Well, I'm @ the "end of my rope" here. (Prev. thread, "Again, trying to get my $". From this frickin' bastid telemarketer, will not pay me my wages. I called them like 5 X, & sent a certified, notarized letter asking for my paycheck, no response. I also mailed in a wage claim to my state labor board, but that takes a year, no lie. I checked into small cllaims court, but I really don't want to take time off my present job, go downtown, pay over 20.00 to park, only to get a possible judgment that I have to enforce/collect. So, I'm considering (the only idea I can think of, now) using a collection agency. They say they don't charge if they don't collect, & if they do, take 30% of my $. I can give them this, & another empoyer that short-paid me. :-\
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Have you went to the Better Business Bureau yet?
Also try the unemployment office, they might be able to help.
I would say try collections last, due to the fact if they do a bankruptcy you still might not get paid.
If nothing else works, walk in there with an AK47, and demand a check right then and there, or ever better CASH!!!! Lol, seriously I wouldn't try that last one though.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Everyone always suggest BBB. Unfortunately, they don't get involved in employer/employee disputes, (they deal w/consumer issues) hence the state labor board, who has a backlog of 1 year or more.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
ahh I see.
So then you have the option of bringing the AK47 there with you, lol.
Seriously, though, I feel for ya. It's horseshit that you have had to wait so long and you still haven't got your money.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Hey, thanks. Believe me, I'd truly like to consider that option. I really need this $, I now have like 60.00 'til Fri.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Have you considered enlisting the help of a lawyer? If you tell them the whole story, they may be willing to write a really "legally nasty" and threatening letter for you. If it comes from a lawyer, it kinda shows you mean business.
And, not to be too nosey...how much money are we talking about? $100? Less or more?
File a complaint to the labor board and then send one last letter stating your intentions of reporting this person, not just to the local news paper and news stations, (Channel 5, 7, and 9) but don't tell themt that you will also be contacting the IRS. Like I said in my last post...the IRS does not like hearing of employers keeping money and not paying taxes on it. If these "employers" are this dishonest with you...they are most likely just as dishonest with the IRS and I'm sure that the IRS would be interested in hearing this kind of information. Just don't tell them ahead of time...no need to give them a chance to "fix" their books.
Of course, with all of this goes "believability". What kinds of proof do you have that you worked those days? You really need to get that all squared away before you can do anything else about it. The good thing is that if this is a wide-spread problem (meaning that other local folks got burned, as well) then you'll get a lot of support and possibly have the local DA start an investigation and file charges on your behalf.
Good luck.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Thanks, Venus. No, you're not being nosy, he owes me like 81.00, (not counting the phone calls made to ask about my $). &, this morn. I mailed a wage claim to the labor board. The other jerk short-payed me like 30.00. The collections agency has lawyers available, but then I give them 40% as opposed to 30%. If I contacted media, I would definately not tell him, it's a waste of time to even bother talking to him now, I think. I sure will consider reporting this, it's not right, I need the $, I worked for it, he made lots off the leads I generated. Other than the certified letter I sent asking for my $, & I think I have a paper w/some names I was supposed to call from home, I have no other proof.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Whirlerz, as you have discovered, it 'takes' money to collect money. If these clowns owed you $8,100 then the collection agencies would be jumping through hoops to help you collect (hoping to pocket 2-3 grand for themselves). Realistically speaking, with less than $100 involved, any 'private' agency is not going to 'waste their time' to even do the basic paperwork on your collection case, let alone investing 30-60 minutes worth of legal time to prepare a collection letter in hopes of a $20-30 commission.
The jerks that owe you know this of course, which is why they have been so cavalier about not paying you. Realistically speaking your only real 'hope' lies in governmental channels, where the wheels will eventually grind out an official notice on your behalf.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Whirlerz,
Be a big pain in the butt. Change the incentive system so that it costs them money not to pay you. If you get no satisfaction from the telemarketer, go to the folks you telemarketed for--the paying client. Get them to put pressure on the bozo and let them know you are tieing up their resources because HE did not pay you. Go to the source first. If he does not return your call say you will call back in1 day, then 3 hours, then 1.5 hours, them 45 minutes, then 20 minutes, 10, 5, 2, 1, 30 seconds. Ask to talk to his boss, and his bosses boss, etc. Try to find out his lawyers name
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Well, it's one guy that owns this (small) business, that I worked directly for, no others involved. I don't know any of his clients. The only contact I can think of, is the advertisers he uses.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
Btw, there ARE coll.agencies that work w/small amts. I know, I had some after me, (for like 50.00 amts.) I'm right now, trying to contact some, 30% less of what I'm owed is STILL better than nothing. Even if I knew all of what Month's referring to, I just don't have the time, it's a good idea tho.
Re: Should I use Collection agency?
I know it's a long shot, but if you have a friend in the telemarketing business, you could be really annoying by having them "schedule" in a phonecall 2-4 times a day. A professional would at least know how to phrase the fake script and leave threatening messages. Though your friend would probably want to get the boss's permission, first, if they do it at work!