In 50 plus years I have never been stiffed on a job. Had a few scheduling mix-ups, had a lady die on me and there was no New Years job and played an outside patio job for years where weather sometimes forced a cancellation. On that one, I worked under contract to also do advertising/marketing, so I made allowances for the rain date cancellations.

Three or four clubs went under with no notice, but they didn't have any money, anyway, so going after them would have been a waste of time. That was years ago, when I copuldn't be very selective.

Now, all my work is repeat from people I know. Everything is oral. I invoice after the job and always get paid.

That being said, good contracts are certainly the way to do things, especially if you're dealing with new clients all the time. Most of my friends in the business have had to go to court at one time.

Sadly, I think some of that is just the sign of the times.


Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 10-04-2007).]