Would you sue for $300?

[beley]

I have a client that we did some graphic design work for a while back and he just disappeared. Doesn't answer phone calls and doesn't respond to letters. I know his address and can file a lawsuit in small claims court but was wondering if you would waste possibly two days of your time and $100 to file a lawsuit for $300.

Granted if I win he will have to pay the court costs but I've never filed for this low amount. We've filed for over $1000 before but $300 is a little low.

The only thing is the economy is so bad and business has died down a little and the money would really be useful right now... what do you think?

[exasko]

Yes... I think I might, I think it would scare people a little bit... so before they screwed some one they will look at what you guys did. Plus 300 is allot... not ALLOT but it is a nice amount... so I think I would

[Chicken]

Would I personally? No.

[exasko]

Well... I am with yes, unless sueing means you will have to travel, then its not worth it. Because your wasting time... and time is money. Though if you live near him, and it can be settle with in a day I say yes

[lg007]

For such an amount, we don't do it.

It takes too mutch time.
It's not worth the money.

We put the following on the website of a customer that won't pay:
http://www.multy-service.be

In most cases it helps, for this customer it does not.

[Taylor]

I wouldn't do it for 300

[exasko]

Maybe I am just cheap :) LMAO

[Operator]

Hm..

I would definately sue. Before I do, I would make sure to drop him one last line ;). Three hundered dollars is not much, but it's a nice amount. Imagine what you can buy with three hundred dollars?

Originally posted by beley:

The only thing is the economy is so bad and business has died down a little and the money would really be useful right now... what do you think?

You need the money, I'm sure it would help you grow.

[exasko]

Operator... Glad I am not alone on my thoughts to sue. I guess in the end you weight the loss and gain... and go with whatever you gain with. If you gain by suing... sue! if you would lose time and some money by suing... take it as a life experience, and don't sue.





Though tell me what you decide... of you sue or not

[Robert]

I wouldn't sue.

[Spencer]

It all depends on how much time you feel like investing into taking it to court. Personally, I wouldn't waste two days of my time (and effort) for $200.

[Brian S]

Originally posted by Olternit:

It all depends on how much time you feel like investing into taking it to court. Personally, I wouldn't waste two days of my time (and effort) for $200. If I had the time available, and didn't need to travel more than 30 miles, I would do it just out of principal. But I kinda get off on jabbing shady bastards. :)

Brian

[Adam]

To me personally i'd advise people who asked me this question to not sue however since you're asking my indivudla opinion - i would sue. Just out of a matter of principal. Weigh out the costs of travels and filing the suit; and if they're less than $300 then i'd go for it. Even if it was $299 heh. Sorry that's just the way i am.

[VanHost]

In a lot of cases (at least in my few personal experiences) a formal letter of intent from a lawyer seems to work well. Basically (in legal terminology) says, pay within 30 days or you will be sued and therefore responsible for all further incurred fees.

Good luck.

[MrManager]

I've sued for *less* than even that simply on principle, but in general I probably wouldn't sue if it were me.

However, a nice legal letter sounding as though the process has already begun has always done wonders to jar the attention of the individual who was 'on vacation' prior to the letter.

On vacation from reality anyway. :D

[suppleSupport]

Not worth it.

[noncompare]

If cash is a little slow for you and you feel you can win this, then hey every single cent counts when it's a rainy day.

It's one thing for someone to be forthcoming and explaining to you if he can't pay the amount (then at least you'll have a good reason not to go after him), but t's quite another to just disappear on you after all your work. Who knows how many other folks he's bilked this way, and he gets away scot free all the time.

[ghpickjr]

Have you considered turning it over to your local collection agency?

[Reality Hosting]

I second that, I wouldn't sue...but I'd definately forward to a collection agency.