Small Claims Court, or Collection Agency?

[DaveGink]

OK...so back in March I did four t-shirt designs (fronts and backs) for a band that toured in April. Did it for like half my minimum rate, total was $915.00. I was suppose to see like half the money midway through the tour after they sold some merch. Guess what? Here it is mid July and I haven't seen one penny. At first they were all "dude be patient, you're on the top of our list to get payed". Now they won't even return my e-mails. I even offered to do the payment plan thing. I said hey, even $50.00 a month just to show some good faith.

Normally I would have gotten at least half down before turning over files, but because I thought they were freinds I didn't think that was necessary (foolish me).

My questions are these...

1) Should I go to small claims court, or get a collection agency after them? Which is better and why?

2) If Collection Agency, anyone know of a good one?

3) Should I just forget about it and write it off an my taxes as a loss??

4) Any options I may not have thought of?


Personally, I don't know if this will do any good? I doubt they have any money and I'm guessing they are probably all ready in debt up to they elbows. But ya know, it's kinda the principal of the thing now.

[kozik]

small claims court wont take it I think it has to be like 2 0r 5 grand or sumthing.

so small collection agency might do it.

I recommend the old 'personal visit'...

[seripop]

with a crowbar

[kozik]

it works wonders. Ask Dave Ritz.

[robschwager]

Yep,i gotta agree. I nice aluminum bat to the kneecaps works wonders....

R.

[seripop]

some band didn't wanna pay me cuz they gave me the wrong graphics.
it was a rush order and since they were on tour i had no way to reach em.
they paypaled me most of the money but still owed me 200 for the fedexing..
when they got to town they didn't wanna pay cause THEY fucked up.
i hit the guy in the face with a squeegee and told im he had 10 minutes to fork over the money or i would a) slash the tires on his van and b) call customs and get them thrown outta the country for not having a visa..
he paid pretty fast

[kevin jones]

HAHAHAHAHAHA OMG!!!! it must hurt to get slapped in the face with a squegee.

[seripop]

dood his head snapped far back..
it was sooo satisfying..
he was all like ' oh i'm very disapointed about the shirts cuz this isn't the art we wanted'
'it's the art u sent me'
'yeah well it's our old design and it's not what i wanted. i want a refund'
*SMACK!*
eat that emo jerk.

[kevin jones]

note to self: pay chloe on time and give her the correct artwork or suffer massive damage to head via squeegee.

[goad74]

I think you need to hire Seripop to go fuck them up. She could be like The Equalizer 2002........