Looking for constructive advice, from those that have been there, on how to handle a
 

Without giving up the sponsor yet, and only as a last resort making the facts public, I am looking for advice on handle this situation. The amount is significant to me (4 digits), and I am only getting excuses.

If i retaliate down the food chain, file a lawsuit, or make it public it likely will end in never seeing a dime.I'm sure it will make their life difficult and surely cause more damage to the reputation than the amount owed, it's just not normally how I handle business.

It is much more important for me to keep it private and just get paid so i can meet my responsibilities and have no desire to be a cowboy.Yes, I have suggested payments and the same run around.I do believe the party has the ability to pay, but may be a pick and choose situation.

Your advice on how to get the sponser to pay, amount of time that is reasonable to wait in a situation like this, and ways you have brought similar situations to a successful conclusion are appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Jake

Why aren't they paying you?

Ps- this is a sponsor no pay situation, the title was cut short, in case that wasnt clear.

Just the run around, this than that , in regard to operational issues. I prefer not to add more than that at this time. It is not a fraud dispute, the amount owed is crystal clear.

Who's their processor? Maybe raise it up with them?

Its helpful to know that. There's a big difference in how you should react if they agree you should be paid and if they say they won't pay you. Since I don't know the situation, I can't really offer advice. However, here are a few questions for you to answer for yourself.

1. Is is plausible that the run around is a bunch of honest mistakes? The mail does get lost and people do forget to do things. Occasionally two mistakes happen at the same time compounding things. In other words, have you caught them in any lies?

2. Are you talking to the right guy there? Is it possible that your contact has no idea about payments and just mentions something he overheard in the hall? Could it be that your missing payment is due to some fuckup on the part of your rep and he is trying to hide that fact from his superiors? In other words, can you bump the problem up the phone chain?

3. Does the company appear to be solvent? Are you the only one having problems with them or are other people not getting paid as well? Are they acting strangely in other ways, such as not advertising as much as they were before? In other words are they not paying you because they can't or because they're screwed up?

4. How long have they not paid you? How much history do you have with this company? Have past payments been on time or are they usually late/incorrect?

5. Have you bugged them enough? You know what they say about the squeeky wheel getting the grease.

I could and likley will bring it up with all they do business with as a last ditch effort. However I fear that will only further my chances of getting paid.

I have been very clear that I need the money and it is a severe financial hardship that i havent been paid yet.

What does the amount owed have to do with anything? If they are not paying, their reputation deserves to end up in the shitter.

SpaceAce

Get a lawyer. A lawsuit generally is NOT public. Heck, with a lawyer, it may not even come to that. It's real simple... get a lawyer who does business contracts, give him the details, and in a few weeks, he'll give you a check for 2/3 of what you were owed. That's what they're for. I've successfully gone after a Fortune 500 company for payment that way. It was well into the 5 figures for some independent programming work I did. You don't have to worry about them not paying you. That's why we have a legal system.

Actually, a lawsuit's paperwork [ie., complaint and some pleadings] become part of the public record cuz you have to file them with the court clerk. This info can be obtained via Lexis and KnowX or other public records search.

I believe what you're saying is that filing a CLAIM is not public. This is true as long as you don't file a complaint with the court to begin the litigation process.

Oh yeah, you're right... not enough beer this morning... Generally, once a lawyer starts working, it's gonna get settled before litigation. That's completely private. IF it goes to court, you can still be protected in various ways. But, I still say hand it to a lawyer, let him have his 1/3, and forget about it.

Is plausible, but doubtful. In a nutshell the story doesent add up. Is not a mail issue, the amounts simply havent been processed do to what is being called a a complicated software issue.

Yes, I have spoke with the owner himself.

I believe it is really a financial issue. I am not aware of how many others are in the same boat. It is not the largest of sponsers, but no doubt many here had heard of them I would imagine. The response has been they will pay, when things are straightend out. But as more time passes, I become more skeptical.

Been with them over a year. No problems until 2 months ago. We are at month of not seeing a payment now.

The mouse has grease all over him, the wheel does not sqeeek any longer

Thanks for the advice and comments. Most appreciated. If anybody else has advice or stories to share, bring it on.Ive deceided i will take some upleasant steps if some arrangement isnt made this week, including sharing the correspondence in coming weeks. Runaround is truely is b.s

If nothing else, maybe the continued support of webmasters not accepting to do business with people that don't pay will keep pressure on affiliate programs to pay their bills or get outa dodge.
Ok, that a pipe dream, nice thought anyways.:mad:

Its always a good bet to only deal with sponsors that have a solid track record until you are at the point where you can safely risk and afford testing new sponsors.

But sometimes, even big sponsors can run into cash flow problems. The adult marketplace has been, is now and will always be a precarious one in terms of reliable payment. Even companies that you see getting jumped on, often are just victims of circumstances beyond their control, and the guys usually haven't done things with malicious intent.

Everyone in the industry knows if you fuck webmasters deliberately you're only fucking yourself. Its always best to give them the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes patience lets them sort out their financial flow probs and get things right.

Good luck.

Why not just show them this thread. Tell them you're trying to be reasonable, but you need your money. Tell them you'll start hitting the boards with their name and the full story. It's not slander when it's true. Give them a warning with a time frame.

Anyway, we're all interested to hear who isn't paying.

I have thought much the same KRL, I guess I am just trying to process what is a reasonable amount of time, being that it has been a month.


It has always been my experience, if their back is truely to a wall financially, people typically don't respond to threats. On the other hand, I also don't think programs should remain in business on other peoples traffic in which they receive income from. Even if it's a paying the affiliates installments on the amount owed, some good faith money should be sent.

it sounds like you're dealing with _=HOAX=_ from amateurpages.
:321GFY _=HOAX=_

No, not HOAX. Guess I wont be setting up a account their now though.

p!mp-d@wg, you fucking idiot I can't believe you're still around!

There was a time when I almost felt pity and remorse for the verbal abuse I layed upon you! Now I realize you truly are meant to be outside. Do humanity a favor and DIE!

Jake2000xp, if you let that moron lie to you, you could miss out on some money. He is a disruptive fool who spends his days projecting his self loathing onto GFY. AMateurMoney is a good program and I will take care of you.

Definitely, if they can not give you a certain date for guaranteed payment.

So you really are the herder of Lensman's flock?

So you're saying gfy is comprised of sheep...implying they're followers?

What's sad is I had a mainstream business for many years with multiple employee's, rent, etc to pay. I would pay them before I would put food on my table.

In two years in this business, while I have met some very straight up people, seems to be a accepted business practice to screw people at will.

However, as mentioned in this thread, we all choose to be a part of this business. Still doesent make it right to screw people, but at least we know who were getting into bed with. At least their is resources like GFY that can assist in choosing who you do business with, based on public reputation. That doesent mean I beleive everthing I read, but if i am shown the facts, I certainly will go elsewhere.

Get a collections agency.

Advice for next time, if they dont pay you in the month they are supposed to pull them! Always have backup sponsors if shit happens.

Never keep your eggs in one basket, diversify your programs.

Goddamn man!
I hope they pay you

and if they don't, BASH'EM GOOD!!!!!!

Thanks man. You can count on it if they don't pay.

If you don't mind me asking, who is their processor?

Like you said, if you make to much noice, it will be hard to get any money.

In my last company (video-editing solutions) we had a lot of custemers that had problems paying for the turn-key systems, and service of same.

It all started the same way; missing payments, avoided direct contact, dident call back - the usual rutines

What made a difference was when I went out on location and visited the customer, had a talk with them. Said to them that I understood his problem, and I knew how hard it was 4 everybody in the industry to pay the bills right now, but we needed to find a solution.
Then I asked "how much can you afford to pay a month"
And he would say $1000. Then I said "lets make it $750 - that way we are syre you can make the payment.

Normally they would pay the first 2-3 onths, and then we would have to start all over again, but we always got the money, and we kept the customer.

Again; that wasent the adult business, but its the same thing.
Its all about personel relations to the customer, the guy in the other end have to feel that you are more than just Customer "x" and "y"

I agree a payment plan is the best alternative. I have suggested that, only to get a runaround in reply. I will however voice that again in final attempts..