I've worked for a translation company in a different state for a few
years, they did pay for most of my projects during that time, but the
payments came slow. Right before I had a baby, I stopped working for them
this January. But the company still owns my a couple of thousand
dollars, I kept emailing them and calling them about sending me the
payment, first they mentioned that they would send out the check by
end of the month, but when it didn't happen, I emailed and called them
several times, they would not reply. Now I think they are not planning
to pay me at all.
I do not have a official contract with them. I do have all email
correspondences on my payment inquires and their promises of sending
it to me by the end of March.

Here are my questions:
1. Is there anyway that I can get my money back?
2. Can I use "small claim court"?

I appreciate any advise! Thanks a lot!

---

Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 03 Apr 2006 23:26 PDT

Howdy helpme123-ga,

It would help researchers to know your state of residence.  Nothing more
than the state please.  Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

---

Clarification of Question by helpme123-ga on 04 Apr 2006 18:08 PDT

I live in the state of Georgia, and the company I worked for is in PA.

Thanks so much!

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 04 Apr 2006 18:43 PDT

I hope you can work things out, but I don't think small claims (in
Georgia, known as Magistrate Court) is going to help, as they
generally hear only very local cases -- e.g. the dry cleaners down the
block ruined my new suit!

You could get a lawyer, but it probably would cost more than you're
likely to recoup.

Have you thought about calling the company, and letting them know you
have made an inquiry about them at Google Answers?

You haven't put their name here for all the world to see...at least,
not yet.  But if you do, and ask us for a background search on them,
anything we find will live on the internet forever for all the world
to see.

That might give them some food for thought!

Good luck,

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Question by helpme123-ga on 05 Apr 2006 06:56 PDT

Thanks so much for your suggestion. From what I understand, this
company is quite small, so there is not a Accounts Payable or hiring
manager. It's a  2 or 3 person business, the guy I've been emailing
and talking to is the owner. They do get businesses from some big
companies such as Dow Chemical.

I have some questions:
1. How does the background search work at Google Answers? Is there a fee?
2. Can I file a complaint with them at Better Business Bureau?

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

I actually have a pretty good background to answer your quesiton.
My questions for you are, 

Who are you contacting at the company?

Are you contacting the department head who hired you for your service?

Have you ever sent them an invoice? An Invoice with a due date?

Do you have the phone number and a contact name at Accounts Payable
for the company who owes you the money?

Often times what happens is that the hiring manager has an isue (could
be over worked, could be laziness, could be they are not 100%
satisfied with your work and have other fires they are fighting and
are choosing not to deal with this until other priorities are met)so
s/he is just sitting on your payment request and not forwarding it on.

However it also could be that this company pays slow. Accounts Payable
is the department that should be able to give you the straight story
on how they pay. As in We pay 60 days after invoice apporval or, we
pay in 90 days from Invoice Approval etc. A/P should be able to give
you a straight up answer.

Recomended course of action - 

E-Mail Invoice to the Hiring Manager (Word has an Invoice Template)
Use today's date on the invoice and the due date of 10 days from
todays date. On your invoice give a brief, very breif description such
as IT Services for XYZ Project. And be sure and list the Hiring
Managers name, and phone number right on the invoice. Also this
company already has you set up as a Vendor since they have paid you
previously. You might try calling A/P and getting your assigned Vendor
Number from A/P and include that information on your invoice. Do not
mention anything to the Hiring Manager that you will be sending out a
paper copy to Accounts Payable.

Mail a paper copy to Accounts Payable the same day you e-mail out the invoice. 

Wait 10 days and call Accounts Payable.

Thanks so much for your suggestion. From what I understand, this
company is quite small, so there is not a Accounts Payable or hiring
manager. It's a  2 or 3 person business, the guy I've been emailing
and talking to is the owner. They do get businesses from some big
companies such as Dow Chemical.

I have some questions:
1. How does the background search work at Google Answers? Is there a fee?
2. Can I file a complaint with them at Better Business Bureau?

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

Then the next alternative I see is a face to face meeting.
Even if you ahv to travel and you are out the travel money.
Better to loose a little on travel then to write off the whole amount.
I would be very worried if I were in your shoes.