How do you deal with non-payment

[Sherry]

I did the Monster Truck Jam recently and at the event, there was no parking provided for 2 artists.  The man who hired us told me that he'd reimburse the parking after the event.  It ended up totaling $40.  I sent an email the week after with no response.  I sent another email 2 weeks later, still no response.  Has anyone else had to deal with this and how did you go about it?

Should I continue to pester him with calls and emails.  I don't like having to do that and wonder if I should just call it a loss.  Frustrating!  :

[sealmom]

Hi Sherry,
What a bum!!!  Even though promoters say they will pay after the event... I never believe them.  I always insist on payment at the time of service... and that would even include parking.  Was there anyway to know before you left the arena that the parking would be that much?  That sure seems like a lot of parking fees by the way!!!  I would not have left the area without collecting.  But that's locking the door after the horse has left the barn at this point.

Is the guy located anywhere near by?  If so... I'd show up at his office or his house and not leave until I got paid.  It's apparent he doesn't respond to emails.  I tend to be a bit aggressive when it comes to money. LOL!  I will HUNT YOU DOWN if you short me financially. If he is a regular show promoter... and you really want a pound of flesh... go to "ripoff.com" or the BBB or there are other websites that track dead-beat companies... and report his business.  Oh ya... and NEVER deal with him again!!! 
Sealmom (Lori)

[Sherry]

Hey Lori,

He had promised to have parking for us.  Supposedly we would only have to give them our names at the gate.  I got there pretty early and it was a bit chaotic.  They barely gave ME a place to park, but were closing the gates to anyone else.  If you don't get the parking taken care of by the event, then you're stuck with the parking around the stadium and it goes for $20 each when big events are going on.  The guy came around on one of those stand up scooters and told me he'd reimburse me for parking that the other artists paid.  Yeah right!  Really, I've never had this happen before... where they promise to pay and then don't.

I've had 2 people bounce checks, but they both felt awful and were very apologetic and paid up.  I guess I'll have to pester him some more, but really it's not my favorite thing to do!

[Sherry]

Oh and he based out of state.  Illinois, I think.

[sealmom]

RATS!!! What a BUM!!!  I'm not sure what to do in this case.  I'm with you on really HATING to chase people down for money.  But I do it when necessary.  (   Maybe in your next attempt... try sending a registered letter that he has to sign for and in the letter threaten to turn him in to the Better Business Bureau or a collections company if he doesn't cough up the coin.  That's about your last resort I think.  I don't know about you... but I wouldn't plan on doing his event next year. (
Lori 

[Psalmbook]

I ask about parking & passes for all down town events. It's in my contract that parking is covered by the client. Often you can have a parking pass emailed to you from clients. Then you print it & hang it on your mirror.

[Sherry]

Yep, thanks Lori...  if he contacts me next year, I'll be sure to have him pay up parking ahead of time... including this year.