As far as I know it's legal, but more likely to result in bad press for you than the customers. Most people would just take that as you being a jerk they don't want to work with.
Deadbeat Customers
This may be an off-the-wall question, but is it legal to post a list of deadbeat customers on your facebook page or website as a warning to other screenprinters/embroiderers?
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I agree with Alex, that will make you look bad. But in the past I have contemplated the idea of contacting other printers in town to inform them about the customer who didn't pay. I think they'd appreciate the heads up and it might result in the customer getting his come-uppance when he tries to order from someone else.
From a legal standpoint, unless you've obtained a judgement against them, you're walking on thin ice. Until that judgement is obtained, not paying is not considered "public record."
Just like you can't call someone's neighbors and tell them that a person is having credit issues, posting something publicly about someone not paying is opening yourself up to a lawsuit (that you'll lose).
Just like you can't call someone's neighbors and tell them that a person is having credit issues, posting something publicly about someone not paying is opening yourself up to a lawsuit (that you'll lose).
Could have very well already been to the others and none of them contacted you about them.I agree with Alex, that will make you look bad. But in the past I have contemplated the idea of contacting other printers in town to inform them about the customer who didn't pay. I think they'd appreciate the heads up and it might result in the customer getting his come-uppance when he tries to order from someone else.
This is exactly what we do. If a customer is that bad, chances are good they already know, but sharing info has never hurt anyone.I agree with Alex, that will make you look bad. But in the past I have contemplated the idea of contacting other printers in town to inform them about the customer who didn't pay. I think they'd appreciate the heads up and it might result in the customer getting his come-uppance when he tries to order from someone else.
Plus, I've found that talking with the other shops has other benefits. I get a lot of referrals from the big production shop in our area because he doesn't do water-based, discharge printing or flatstock like we do here. In return, I ship him my specialty printing jobs along with a lot of my plastisol orders.
Thanks for all the thoughts. I agree probably the best way is to just let the other printers in the area know when I talk to them. I'm on pretty good terms with most of the other printers.
Thanks for all the thoughts. I agree probably the best way is to just let the other printers in the area know when I talk to them. I'm on pretty good terms with most of the other printers.
Hey Pat,
I just looked at your FB and yeah....he is a deadbeat. I haven't had any big stiffers in town, but he is definitely one. Came crying to me about the other guys prices and their quality was terrible. Wanted "a whole bunch" of shirts printed, "tons" he said. Said he did 15k a year with the previous owner. I wasn't buying it. When I asked how much is "a ton" he gladly says, "36 shirts!" And proceeds to show me his "copyright art" on a napkin that he took a pic of on his phone. 36 women's vneck with a "simple" print - 3 locations. I told him my price and he goes, "that's more than the place I'm getting them!!" Well.... You get what you pay for. A couple months later I mistakenly took a 2 day rush job for him. Said he'd pay me $350 cash. I did it. Came time to pick them up and he was gone on an EMS call and his wife had to come get them. Said he'd stop by for sure on Sunday. He stopped by, but to say for sure he'd stop by Monday. No go on Monday. Stopped by later that week saying he'd pay me early next, buuuutttt he and his family were going to the fair?!?! Those aren't cheap. Said how thankful he was and that I would get a ton of business from this fire department. Never heard since. I Facebooked him last week and he actually replied and said he'd pay me when he's back in town. Ironically, his profile pic is an embroidered image for the fire department. I didn't do it. So much for "a ton" of business. Won't happen again from me. Maybe he'll pay me. We'll see.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi Brett, yeah, he came here after trying at Threads (when Casi and Sara were running it for Greeley's). Needed stuff for a show and when I delivered it, he gave me a $1000.00 check to hold and said when they came back from the show, he'd pay in cash. Never paid and when I cashed the check, it bounced (go figure). He closed up his shop in Arena and won't answer emails or his phone. What's his facebook? I need to just go to Small Claims against him since I have to go there next week anyway on another customer.
You have to be very careful, as they could sue you for defamation of character,.
Bouncing a check is a crime. Go to the police and start the process. The legal system is sloooowww.
Just had a customer bounce a check a couple months ago. He avoided answering our calls until he got a voice mail from the police. Suddenly he became "cooperative" (?) We've been in contact with him every day for the past 2 weeks. Every day a promise, and every day an excuse.
We finally started the formal process yesterday. The police have a packet of of information with steps you have to follow before they will file formal charges. For us, the first step is a certified letter with demand for payment within 10 days. So now we have to wait 10 more days. After that it's between him and the courts. We can't drop the charges or accept any payments. EVERYTHING has to go through the courts.
But if it was a non-payment, instead of a bounced check, we would have to use small claims court. The bounced check made it a crime.
My advice: start the process, and document everything.
Just had a customer bounce a check a couple months ago. He avoided answering our calls until he got a voice mail from the police. Suddenly he became "cooperative" (?) We've been in contact with him every day for the past 2 weeks. Every day a promise, and every day an excuse.
We finally started the formal process yesterday. The police have a packet of of information with steps you have to follow before they will file formal charges. For us, the first step is a certified letter with demand for payment within 10 days. So now we have to wait 10 more days. After that it's between him and the courts. We can't drop the charges or accept any payments. EVERYTHING has to go through the courts.
But if it was a non-payment, instead of a bounced check, we would have to use small claims court. The bounced check made it a crime.
My advice: start the process, and document everything.
Actually, contact a company called Empire Collection. Unlike many collection agencies they actually get it done. I used them last year and it blew my mind when I received a check in the mail for the full amount plus a late fee I added to the invoice.
If they can't collect you won't owe them any money. I plan to definitely use them again.
If they can't collect you won't owe them any money. I plan to definitely use them again.
I had a customer stiff me also, said he would bring a check, never came, called again and was told the check was in the mail (ha, ha). Sent letter asking for payment with a self addressed stamped envelope, no response. Sent a second registered letter giving 10 days or we would go to collection agency or small claims court. Finally received payment just before deadline. j
Would never do the Facebook thing, opens up too many cans of worms.....
Would never do the Facebook thing, opens up too many cans of worms.....
Where I live...central Illinois...there is a minimum limit of bad check before the police will do anything. The bad check I got from a customer was for $35...so they wouldn't do anything. I am sure people know the rules and what they can get by with. It was an involved job with multiple embroidered locations...mostly names if I recall correctly....she was going to wear this piece of athletic wear to a reunion of her volleyball team at University of So. Calif...I did a nice job and probably undercharged...only to be given a bad check.
My other deadbeat was a guy who was opening a business in the mall. I digitized his logo and sewed it on shirts he provided...didn't get paid a penny...my stupidity for not charging for the logo first..prior to doing the embroidery. The business filed bankruptcy soon after they opened. I got a threatening letter from his attorney, stating that if I tried to contact him in any way for payment, I would be breaking the law.....so I lost a lot of money on that job. Criminals have all the rights....
My other deadbeat was a guy who was opening a business in the mall. I digitized his logo and sewed it on shirts he provided...didn't get paid a penny...my stupidity for not charging for the logo first..prior to doing the embroidery. The business filed bankruptcy soon after they opened. I got a threatening letter from his attorney, stating that if I tried to contact him in any way for payment, I would be breaking the law.....so I lost a lot of money on that job. Criminals have all the rights....
A friend of mine printed 100 shirts for a group that was marching in a parade. The parade was rained out and the customer told him he didn't need the shirts any more and so he wouldn't be picking them up. No down payment no nothing. Bye.
I have made myself a new rule. No product leaves the shop with out payment. Will cover most situations except the kind for the Parade.
Can you imagine his (any) employer coming to him and saying - "Your project has been cancelled. You're out of job. And we're not paying you for your work, since it's not being used." There would be fireworks across the country. But it happens to us, and nobody thinks anything of it.
Somehow it is assumed that if you own your own business, you must be rich. And the general mindset is that it's okay to steal from the rich because they can afford it.
The ones that really anger me are other small businesses that pull this off. They know first hand how hard it is to make it.
Somehow it is assumed that if you own your own business, you must be rich. And the general mindset is that it's okay to steal from the rich because they can afford it.
The ones that really anger me are other small businesses that pull this off. They know first hand how hard it is to make it.
There is also a general assumption that if someone doesn't have enough money to pay what he owes he's automatically excused from paying it. I learned that from renting my condominium out for awhile.
Doubt that is true as bad checks get posted on walls of businesses. Also you can tell people that Joe bounced a check as its provable and true.From a legal standpoint, unless you've obtained a judgement against them, you're walking on thin ice. Until that judgement is obtained, not paying is not considered "public record."
Just like you can't call someone's neighbors and tell them that a person is having credit issues, posting something publicly about someone not paying is opening yourself up to a lawsuit (that you'll lose).
From
https://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/contract_law/notice_bounced_check.htm
Is it okay for a retailer to advertise that you wrote a bounced check?
by FreeAdvice staff
Posting a bad check at the counter for all customers to see is legal. Telling others about the bounced check is also legal because the information is considered to be factual and provable.
If a business owner receives a bad check, they have the right to immediately begin the debt collection process, and in the case of a bounced check, seek criminal liability as well. During the debt collection phase, the business owner can display the bounced check for the public to see. This is permissible because it allows customers the chance to identify and contact the debtor if they know them. In addition, the business may blacklist that particular customer, requiring that if they wish to continue to be a patron, they must use an alternative means of payment.
Business owners may also report the bad check to bad check writing databases such as Check Connection, Shared Check Authorization Network, Telecheck, or ChexSystem. These databases offer writer verification to businesses that accept checks. If a customer’s name comes up in the system, other businesses may also deny their checks.
On the criminal side, the business owner may contact the police and file a complaint about the bounced check. Writing a check without knowingly having the available funds is fraud. Most states consider this a misdemeanor and will charge a fee around $200 for first offenses. Some states, such as California, also impose a jail sentence for up to one year if the act is found to be intentional. Other states, such as Florida, consider writing a bounced check a felony and have very harsh penalties for even the first intentional offense.
However, in any state, a business owner cannot advertise the account number or any other personal information about the individual outside of their store. Advertising the account number on the bounced check would constitute a breach of privacy for the individual.
All your going to do is create problems for yourself. Nevermind someone wanting to harm you if they felt so, it has high potential to cut down on the money you generate. The people is what makes your business. If enough people stand together against your business they will shut you down. Masses rule.
The mature way to handle it would be to take your losses and continue forward down your lane staying focused. Some customers try to get over but not all are bad. If you get burnt once you wont let it happen again. These are the leasons of life. If someone has comitted a crime dont play with it report it to authorities let them handle it and move on.
If you have a buddy or two that provide print services and you feel the need to warm them coll then you can do so but id atay focus on continue forward. If you let one barrier get in the way and put you to a halt, then its not going to be a pleasant journey.
Not sure if you have a store front buainess or work from home as small business but customers can also leave google reviews, ratings, comments, and more so i would be very careful when playing with fire. Sometimes we dont always agree with others but it is best to smile and be nice. You never know who your bargaining with.
Best wishes and hopefully this advice motivates you to make the right decision.
Ps: take a deposit 50% other half in cash at pickup. Nothing starts until all has cleared.
Everything else doesnt matter if your alive in good health. Money is money, business is business and losses are losses. It happens to the best of us. Whoever did wrong has it coming back around to them by life. Just be thankful no one is hurt. There was a guy who pulled a gun out on a buddy of mine and demanded that he just throw the boxes of shirts into his trunk and make it easy. If one has to commit aggrivated robbery w/deadly weapon for some shirts, then its a sad.
Just a thought.
The mature way to handle it would be to take your losses and continue forward down your lane staying focused. Some customers try to get over but not all are bad. If you get burnt once you wont let it happen again. These are the leasons of life. If someone has comitted a crime dont play with it report it to authorities let them handle it and move on.
If you have a buddy or two that provide print services and you feel the need to warm them coll then you can do so but id atay focus on continue forward. If you let one barrier get in the way and put you to a halt, then its not going to be a pleasant journey.
Not sure if you have a store front buainess or work from home as small business but customers can also leave google reviews, ratings, comments, and more so i would be very careful when playing with fire. Sometimes we dont always agree with others but it is best to smile and be nice. You never know who your bargaining with.
Best wishes and hopefully this advice motivates you to make the right decision.
Ps: take a deposit 50% other half in cash at pickup. Nothing starts until all has cleared.
Everything else doesnt matter if your alive in good health. Money is money, business is business and losses are losses. It happens to the best of us. Whoever did wrong has it coming back around to them by life. Just be thankful no one is hurt. There was a guy who pulled a gun out on a buddy of mine and demanded that he just throw the boxes of shirts into his trunk and make it easy. If one has to commit aggrivated robbery w/deadly weapon for some shirts, then its a sad.
Just a thought.
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