Bad Debt Monster
This post doesn’t really belong here but I need to release some internal pressure!
As you know I work at home. I created a separate office at home many years ago and have to say that working alone is generally really good for me. I find I am more productive without people hovering around my desk or interrupting and asking questions every 5 minutes.
Because my offline business is service related I get my human interaction when I travel out of my home office to meet my clients. BUT…
…every so often a situation arises where I’d normally get a close colleague to act as a sounding board or to let of team by telling them what has just happened. I don’t have that luxury working alone. So you my loyal reader get it in the ear (read eye 
)
Nearly one year ago I introduced some business to a guy who promised me 50% of whatever fees he generated. A formal introducer agreement was signed by both of us. The business was concluded and just before Christmas he paid approximately 30% of the amount that was due with some bizarre explanation that he wanted to see me alright before Christmas and he’s make good early in the New Year. The balance of that payment is still outstanding and in the interim he has told me that it will be paid as soon as another case I introduced completed.
That second case completed a month ago and he was paid mid August (I just found out) despite him telling me early September that he expected everything to be finalised very soon.
Clearly this guy is a liar and a cheat. I won’t mention the sums involved but suffice to say it would make a difference!
Bad debts are unfortunately a fact of business life BUT what is totally unacceptable is the deceit and lies. What makes a situation like this worse ( a bit like having a car crash) it’s the wronged party (me) that now has the costly and time consuming task of trying to rectify the position.
As much as this hurts me right now I have committed to not letting it get me down BUT to do whatever I can to get the money due to me and make the liars life as uncomfortable as possible. If I can prevent him from trading and save anyone else from this same fate in the process then I will.
Rant ends.
Although this issue isn’t restricted to a work at home business it does highlight one of the drawbacks of working alone - namely the fact that is can be a little lonely when things don’t go to plan.
Let me know what you think
I’ve got an idea! Why not “outsource” the stress of this situation. Give an uninvolved 3rd party the task of doing whatever it takes to get the money and worrying about it for you. This wouldn’t need to be a professional I don’t think, just someone that is motivated to complete a task that they are given.
Because they are unattached, it will be easier for them to get the job done. In the meantime, you’re not consumed with negative energy….
Just a thought!
Christine
Hi Christine, thanks for your thoughts - you’re right of course it does need to be outsourced. Unfortunately, due to the sum involved it needs to be a legal professional outsource! That smells like a big bill!!! Mark
Comment by Christine | September 20, 2007
[…] “weasel” as I have now come to think of him (see my Bad Debt Monster post last week) has sent further emails in which he wriggles and squirms, blames everyone else for […]
Pingback by 6M Profit Method - Business Success | September 24, 2007