Accountants/ office people games

frans

TreeHouser
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May 31, 2013
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As a contractor i come across these people occasionally who seem to delight in throwing their weight around.

The latest is a customer really wanting us to do the job, tottally happy with the result, hapoy as a pig in shit we could schedule his job. but then the office people are actually resentful at simply paying us. Came in to their office to get paid, and i hear, 'wow, you guys make alot of money'! Then she says, oh i cannot issue a check until i have all your paperwork on file. W4, proof of insurance, signed contract, invoice in hand, etc etc.

These people piss me off


Rant rant rant

Anyone else get this?
 
Bean counters...yep, once in awhile. Not yet in treework...my treework is for mostly private folks.

In our x-ray business with municipalities we have to jump thru all kind of hoops. Once it cost us an extra $100 on an insurance rider to be allowed to move x-ray eqpt. thru the lobby of a medical building. It was just a normal building full of doctor's offices...but managed by prima donna a-holes who thought their world was special.
 
You should've stubbed your toe and sued them Gary. ;)


Sounds like bs Fran's. If all that was agreed upon before the work was given the go ahead sure. Otherwise shut up and pay up.
 
yep, that can be annoying. When working for folks that you think might be a problem, don't hesitate to ask, what do you need in order for us to be paid. Like with a federal court house, just tell me how I am getting paid, by whom and what do they need to make that happen.

I love it when we work it the other way around, have a check on site before we start. Watch them dance!! oh, this and that...no, we will start when the check is there.
 
We've gotten proactive by sending out W-9's and Insurance Certificates along with the bid for commercial jobs.
 
We do get the occasional foot dragger who insists on some obscure document before paying, like "Additional Named Insured." :/:

And typically they wait until we've contacted them several times over several weeks to tell us about this missing paperwork. :X
 
In all my years of doing tree work, I've had three companies insist on me adding them to my policy as 'additional insured'. No big deal except that costs me $100 and the insurance company just keeps adding them on every renewal without telling me. And of those three, none of them ever did more than $700 worth of business with me. After that I just refuse and consider it a sign that the potential client isn't worth the hassle. I also ignore any requests from management companies or realtors.
 
consider it a sign that the potential client isn't worth the hassle. I also ignore any requests from management companies or realtors.

Yup, instantly vetting job inquiries that don't smell right is quick and vicious.

Frans, your custy, or at least the office folk, is douchey. Maybe contact your original contact and tell them the issues you are having with getting a prompt check?
 
I've gotten 'pushy' in recently about getting a check right away, it has generally paid off.

I've noticed that the lower the apparent income level of the custy, the more readily they pay, i.e., no need to prod them. Ironic, isn't it?
 
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  • #15
Lots of good advice. We always get paid, eventually. Its just the aggravation of small minded people on a power trip.

We also ignore property managers who 'have many important clients seeking qualified help'. Real estate agents are low on the list as well.
 
It’s just stuff, hoops to jump through.

Annoying, but unless, like Brian, you eschew working for those sort of clients, it comes with the territory.
 
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  • #18
It’s just stuff, hoops to jump through.

Annoying, but unless, like Brian, you eschew working for those sort of clients, it comes with the territory.

You are correct in my mind. Each time i think about moving to another location i realize that i live in a bubble of high income, disposable income type people.
 
...

I've noticed that the lower the apparent income level of the custy, the more readily they pay, i.e., no need to prod them. Ironic, isn't it?

As a generality, this is so true! That and the uber wealthy, invoice in, no questions PAID.
 
Brian, I am surprised your insurance company charges you to add an additional insured. Not doubting, just surprised.
 

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