Mechanics lean advice
- Thread starter MadJack
- Start date
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occasionally you get stiffed by ppl when you have all good intentions.
Some ppl are seriously nuts.
A mechanics lien is a worthless process that is nothing but a pain in the ass. You have to go to the courthouse to get one and pay a fee.
So big whoop you got a lien on her property. Guess what . You have to renew it every year for as long as it would take her to sell her house and even notice a lien during a title search.
There has to be a percentage of work that you are willing to not get paid for . its going to happen.
just walk and make it up on other jobs as you go along.
if your honest and do a good job , these issues will be few and far between.
Fortunately over the years for me its total under 20 k
and one was 5 k alone.
mechanics liens just dont do it. They aint going to get a copy in the mail and decide to pay you.
and if you tell that lady in person you are going to lien her property, prepare for a right cross sucker punch to the throat
:0008
I've been stiffed before and let it go. Many times. MANY times. This one is totally different and I'm not letting her get away with this. I could go into a long post explaining why but I'll just save that. Trust me, you would do the same.
These people aren't deadbeats, she's just pulling a shot and I'm not letting her get away with it. The lien on their property WILL mean something and it will get me my money. You think I really care about 750 bucks? I let one keep $1750 because I got tired of going back and fixing bullshit things for them. I finally got fed up and told them to keep the fucking money but never call me again!
You should have seen the look in her eyes when I asked for my final payment and she said I wasn't getting it. It was evil. She told me I was lucky I asked and got the $3K when I finished the job because she said she would have kept that too.
FUCK HER.
I'm filing the lean today.
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I understand and do what you feel is best.
What you will find over the years the stress it causes you and the downtime to fuck with it , is just not worth it.
have you ever noticed when fats gives advice there is almost always fraud and extortion involved.
moral - watch the guys that wear helmets on golf courses.
too bad fats didnt live closer you could send him over frothing at the mouth to talk to the woman.
In all the years this will be the first time I ever took action to collect my money. This one is a matter of principle and to wipe that shit eating grin off her face. It will just make me feel better.
Jack,
I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this woman. Unfortunately, there are always people in the world that have an angle. By the information I've read here, it certainly sounds like she set this up from the beginning. It also sounds like maybe she's had a bad experience in the past that she's taking out on you now.
Anyone that knows you, knows that you are a straight shooter.......and couldn't be more fair. In fact, I'd say you're actually WAY more fair to your customers than you are to yourself. But it sounds like this woman pushed you too far. Good luck with the money.....but I understand this has little to actually do with the cash. It's about one good person being fucked with by someone that's not.
Hope all is well, brother.
I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this woman. Unfortunately, there are always people in the world that have an angle. By the information I've read here, it certainly sounds like she set this up from the beginning. It also sounds like maybe she's had a bad experience in the past that she's taking out on you now.
Anyone that knows you, knows that you are a straight shooter.......and couldn't be more fair. In fact, I'd say you're actually WAY more fair to your customers than you are to yourself. But it sounds like this woman pushed you too far. Good luck with the money.....but I understand this has little to actually do with the cash. It's about one good person being fucked with by someone that's not.
Hope all is well, brother.
Jack... I've worked in the moving & storage business close to 30 yrs & have dealt with customers over refusal to pay completed work because of claims. I've been to small claims court ( what a joke ) never have walked out a winner.We have never done a mechanics lean so I can't speak on that. Rarely do we file a claim with our Ins. Carrier because of high ded. & likely hood of them jacking up our rates. Usually around $5,000 we start thinking about it, I could go on & on about some of the most ridiculous & fraudulent claims I've dealt with & a good portion that were valid.
Our policy is we will not pay a claim until we are paid in full , also if we have to replace an item we have the right to claim ownership of the damaged piece.
Highly recommend that if she will not budge let it go & concentrate on your next job. You are an honest man & things will eventually even out.
We have requests to be name on our Ins's usually it's commercial property rarely homes.
Sorry for going on with this, GL
Our policy is we will not pay a claim until we are paid in full , also if we have to replace an item we have the right to claim ownership of the damaged piece.
Highly recommend that if she will not budge let it go & concentrate on your next job. You are an honest man & things will eventually even out.
We have requests to be name on our Ins's usually it's commercial property rarely homes.
Sorry for going on with this, GL
The "law" in this case is on your side.
She owes you for the drain. Her idea of you owing her for a pool cover is a separate, unconnected item. She needs to file that completely separate and can't withhold payment for services/products done.
No different than rent to a landlord. Because your hot water doesn't work, you can't withhold your monthly rent check.
File papers on her for the payments she owes you. Put the onus of work on her to prove the pool cover and I bet it goes away.
She owes you for the drain. Her idea of you owing her for a pool cover is a separate, unconnected item. She needs to file that completely separate and can't withhold payment for services/products done.
No different than rent to a landlord. Because your hot water doesn't work, you can't withhold your monthly rent check.
File papers on her for the payments she owes you. Put the onus of work on her to prove the pool cover and I bet it goes away.
Sounds correct to me.
I agree with a prior post that small claims is a complete joke. Why even bother. GL Jack. Hope u bust this wannabe scammer.
It doesn't matter if the law is on your side. Our legal system is set up to take 1. as long as possible 2. cost you in terms of time and money. Yes, you need the law on your side, but that doesn't mean it will be easy to collect.
Hey it's Jack's business so it's his decision. I've been down that road before. It's bad enough people like that take advantage of us on the front end. I found chasing them down to prove a point just created more stress and took time away from places it's better served- my family, my business, my friends. I've felt the sting and it feels personal but it's much better to let it go for me personally. It's a cost of doing business. Adapt and prevent it in the future.
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I always get 50% Deposit before I start any job.
if they look shaky 75% and if they are from Pakistan or India I dont do the job period. They want to negotiate cheapest price.
Homey dont play that shit. Here is the quote. Take it at that or take something off you dont get.
thats enough to cover material if the job goes bad.
or better yet check their credit before u proceed
:thinking:
I think you missed my point.
I always get 50% too. And I did here.
I made money on the job.
I'm not paying for her pool cover and I don't like her snotty attitude and I'm getting my money.
It's not taking time from anything, Saint. An hour or two? BFD.
I'm not letting this cunt get her way.
Yep! It's personal now.
It's not the money.
I've NEVER been this emotionally involved in any deal. Ever.
I like FDC's idea best. Not sure it's posted here. I'm gonna get the Sheriff to go to the property with me and take MY property back. I'm getting MY drain cover and MY concrete.
WATCH!
There is no Sheriff that will assist you to get back property you already installed. That is the purpose of the Courts or a mechanics lien.
If you call the Sheriff and he says "ok, ill meet you" All she has to do is say "he owes me money". Its not his job to decide who is in the right, thank god.
Send her a nasty letter and give her 10 days to pay you the costs and some juice, attorney fees. If she doesnt pay file lien for said costs and juice.
