4 ms·

I've literally put websites on black (just before a big event of theirs) for non-paying customers. I've publicly 'shamed' non-paying customers on LinkedIn (ment

I've literally put websites on black (just before a big event of theirs) for non-paying customers. I've publicly 'shamed' non-paying customers on LinkedIn (mentioning their HQ and CEO). I've threatened clients of clients with mentioning their data leaks (GDPR) to get their bills payed. I've jumped over a fence and loudly knocking on someone's door to get my money (not going to do that again). Et cetera. I consider myself a hard worker and an honest individual who communicates clearly and first reminds people and organizations patiently of their unpaid bills, but don't sh*t on my food and livelihood.

sneak 3y ago
Just sue them. If it’s not enough money to sue them, let it go (and charge more next time). Damaging their brand is just asking for a suit that costs you more than the unpaid invoice is worth.
- rambambram 3y ago
  I'm not damaging anyone's brand, they do that themselves. I'm just using my freedom of speech and not lying about stuff. They can sue me and damage their brand even more. I had to learn how to flip that stuff, default behavior is always defensive it seems, but that doesn't work and a lot of organizations play exactly on that. By the way, I'm not from the US. edit: Default behavior is always playing it safe and accepting mistreatment. Of course I was still defensive.
- rcbdev 3y ago
  Lawsuits are not as prone to abuse in the rest of the world as they are in the U.S.A. - No EU judge in their right mind would accept a company suing an independent contractor for "brand damage" when all they've done is publicly ask for their money. This is not typically a worry EU citizens have.
  - sneak 3y ago
    You can get sued for libel in the UK or Japan for saying true things. It’s not quite as clear cut as you claim. Besides that, it’s tacky and low status to complain publicly about a client. I would never work with someone who behaved this way, even if everything they say is 100% true and correct. If it’s a lawsuit-worthy amount, bring a case. If it’s not, write it off (and, again, charge more, so it’s worth the time and trouble to collect legally).
    - rambambram 3y ago
      > Besides that, it’s tacky and low status to complain publicly about a client. I would never work with someone who behaved this way, even if everything they say is 100% true and correct. I get what you are saying and I definitely considered my 'reputation' (whatever that is). Not going into specifics, but I thought long and hard about my actions and I prepared myself. Ultimately, for me it came down to a simple equation: do I risk being seen as 'low status' by outsiders, or do I choose for definitely seeing myself as 'low status' by accepting mistreatment without kicking back? It might have looked "tacky" for outsiders, but it most definitely tasted very good for myself! No regrets.
      - sneak 3y ago
        The way you “kick back” when wronged in business is a lawsuit. Anything else is bush league.
        rambambram 3y ago
        You don't know the specifics, so please don't take my general remarks and fill them in like you were there. I gave you a pretty nuanced explanation, so other readers can judge for themselves who is acting "mean, petty, unprofessional" here (definition of 'bush league' at http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/127656/ddg#127663 http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/127656/ddg#127663)

sneak 3y ago

Just sue them. If it’s not enough money to sue them, let it go (and charge more next time). Damaging their brand is just asking for a suit that costs you more than the unpaid invoice is worth.

rambambram 3y ago
I'm not damaging anyone's brand, they do that themselves. I'm just using my freedom of speech and not lying about stuff. They can sue me and damage their brand even more. I had to learn how to flip that stuff, default behavior is always defensive it seems, but that doesn't work and a lot of organizations play exactly on that. By the way, I'm not from the US. edit: Default behavior is always playing it safe and accepting mistreatment. Of course I was still defensive.
rcbdev 3y ago
Lawsuits are not as prone to abuse in the rest of the world as they are in the U.S.A. - No EU judge in their right mind would accept a company suing an independent contractor for "brand damage" when all they've done is publicly ask for their money. This is not typically a worry EU citizens have.
- sneak 3y ago
  You can get sued for libel in the UK or Japan for saying true things. It’s not quite as clear cut as you claim. Besides that, it’s tacky and low status to complain publicly about a client. I would never work with someone who behaved this way, even if everything they say is 100% true and correct. If it’s a lawsuit-worthy amount, bring a case. If it’s not, write it off (and, again, charge more, so it’s worth the time and trouble to collect legally).
  - rambambram 3y ago
    > Besides that, it’s tacky and low status to complain publicly about a client. I would never work with someone who behaved this way, even if everything they say is 100% true and correct. I get what you are saying and I definitely considered my 'reputation' (whatever that is). Not going into specifics, but I thought long and hard about my actions and I prepared myself. Ultimately, for me it came down to a simple equation: do I risk being seen as 'low status' by outsiders, or do I choose for definitely seeing myself as 'low status' by accepting mistreatment without kicking back? It might have looked "tacky" for outsiders, but it most definitely tasted very good for myself! No regrets.
    - sneak 3y ago
      The way you “kick back” when wronged in business is a lawsuit. Anything else is bush league.
      - rambambram 3y ago
        You don't know the specifics, so please don't take my general remarks and fill them in like you were there. I gave you a pretty nuanced explanation, so other readers can judge for themselves who is acting "mean, petty, unprofessional" here (definition of 'bush league' at http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/127656/ddg#127663 http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/127656/ddg#127663)