I have been a ColdFusion developer for many years and have created some really cool technologies for some really cool companies for some really great pay.

Today's discussion is about trying to collect from companies that don't like to pay and what happens when they don't.

During the Dot Com days we never had to worry about getting "the check" and most of the time we would get payments in advance. That is no more. Today companies are very leery about deposits as there are so many "developers" that "take the money and run"

I am going to tell a little story about a company that we will call ABC Corporation. I started developing an application for ABC Corp and all was well, I would send them an invoice every month and they would send out checks regularly without delay. The problem came once the application was complete. I sent the final invoice for $xx,xxx.00 and to my surprise I started getting the run around. Was there a problem with the code? Did I let them down in some way? Do they not like my name? What could the problem be?

With contract in hand, my attorney took them to court. They didn't show... I win! They get the order and still no check! Back to court goes my lawyer (Ringing up that bill). Now I'm no lawyer but from what I understand my lawyer asked for ABC to be in contempt of a court order. The judge says, "We will give them another chance and send another notification" Hmmm... what if I ignored a court order???

Ok.. Another 3 months pass and NOTHING! Back to court again. This time it is brought to my attention, via my very expensive attorney, that as a corporation there really isn't anyone individual to hold liable for the court order.... Not even the person that signed the contract.

I guess I would like to know what some of you would suggest and any successful ways you have collected money (Legally).

This entry was posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:01 AM and has received 1467 views. There are currently 5 comments. Print this entry.