[NTLUG:Discuss] Business Issues - a question

[Leroy Tennison]

Stephen Davidson wrote:
> Greetings.
>
> A while back, I had for a customer a company that had some financial 
> issues.  Among other things, they had been burned by less than ethical 
> consultants and companies (some of whom now have criminal records).  I 
> fell for the line "Just one more feature and we will be able to sell 
> this" really hard.  To the point where I let their balance with me get 
> out of control.  In the course of trying to get their products 
> "on-track", I introduced them to a few user's groups.  I never expected 
> that they would never make any good faith efforts to settle with me.  
> Otherwise, I would never have done some work for one of their associated 
> side businesses -- which I also was never paid for.  There is some legal 
> action I should take in regards to this matter, I just have not had the 
> time (moved on, current customer, while also having some software 
> issues, is paying me promptly to help solve them).  In the meantime, 
> these people are now tapping the User Groups I introduced them to 
> directly themselves.  My understanding is that they are now planning on 
> attending workshops, etc. put on by the groups. In addition, they are 
> still hiring consultants, although I don't know (other than by inference 
> from the fact that no attempt has ever been made to try to settle with 
> me) whether or not they are paying their current consultants.  A concern 
> is, what happens if they try to hire somebody from a group I introduced 
> them to, and then stiff them like they stiffed me?  I am thinking I 
> should warn the group(s) in question, most likely with names, dates, and 
> places.  But if I do, that will also start a huge flame war in the group.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> -Steve
>
>
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>
>   
I'm thinking you could also be sued (you don't have to be in the wrong 
to be sued).  Just this email is helpful, now people are alert to the 
issue.  You have mentioned one of their tactics for getting more work 
out of you, if you can mention additional ones which could apply to more 
than them that would add to the awareness.  If there are multiple 
companies like them in a specific industry or location you might mention 
that.  You will have to be very careful not to get to a point where it's 
"who is buried in Grant's tomb"...

Of course, people can now contact you personally with questions.  A 
vague or non-committal response should be enough for them to catch the 
drift.