F**k you, pay me!

[Manuel]

In the last couple of days I've been receiving calls from an ad agency and some printing shops requesting artwork and files for some work I did for a past client. Normally, I would just sent it off considering the client paid for the work, and it's their decision to have someone else reprint or create new projects around the brand I created.

However in this case, this past client has over $3,000 in unpaid invoices that they owe me for some of this work. It's been over 9 months, and they basically said they are deep in the hole and don't have the funds available. I'm in the process of weighing my options... collection agencies, small claims court, or something.

So...
Do I turn over the files? (Considering that not doing so won't help their situation, and if their situation doesn't get better, I definitely won't see any money from them.) If I stand my ground, what's the best route to go to even see any bit of it?

Advice. Please.

[andydiesel]

take a bong hit and call a collection agency?

i can;t stand when people don;t pay me.

[motownjc]

vandellas

[Sash]

they want the work without paying?

can I just walk to the supermarket and take some milk and gatorade and go, "thanks" without paying?

what in the world is up wit dat?

[Zach Hobbs]

Do not send the artwork.

[andydiesel]

vandellas

hahaha, f**king stoners.

[Iron Canvas Studios]

I wouldn't give up the files. How are they going to pay these "other" people to do work for them if they can't even pay you? my 2 cents, of course I don't really know the whole story but anyways.

[VonDada]

Don't give them the files until they pay you.

That is all.

I had a client do the same thing. I had to come down on what they owed a little, but I got paid.

[B-DROID]

they want the work without paying?

can I just walk to the supermarket and take some milk and gatorade and go, "thanks" without paying?

what in the world is up wit dat?

"I can't work if I'm hungry and if I don't work I can't pay you for this food, so let me take it now so I can pay you for it after I work, OKAY?"

[phoondaddy]

Don't send anymore artwork.

If you know any lawyers, some will send a letter that usually threatens a lawsuit, therefore they pay instead of incurring court costs/time etc. Hopefully pro-bono.