with a condo association president and manager (customer). Finished the job in December, been waiting for final payment and in the mean time they've been getting creative about extra work that they want to be done for free. 3 punch out lists later, with agreements to everyone that the job would be accepted, and now they want more. Meeting with them tomorrow, they should get my 3 page certified mailed letter today, and I'm deliberating about bringing an attorney to the meeting. I really don't need an attorney because I represent myself pretty well, but I'm concerned about what my reaction will be in this meeting because I feel betrayed and violated by these two faced personalities.
-- Edited by StPeteDean on Monday 22nd of February 2010 10:08:59 AM
I feel for you Dean. I have worked for people where stuff like this has happened and it just amazes me how some people in this world will do things like this. I hope for your sake they pay for the service and get out of your hair. I guess practicing these principles in all our affairs is going to be put to the test for you. Please let us know the outcome.
I agree Dean.I will keep you in prayer.I t may come to litigation but try and remain focused on your spiritual principles(a difficult task but thats why we 'HAVE TO WORK IT") LET US KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT.Do not let others "steal your joy" you have worked hard for it>Easier said then done,but doable!!!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Last time that happened with me I remarked I will be able to get to the other stuff when I get paid for what has been billed. My creditors are expecting the money also. Sound like 90 dayers. Pits!! One of my customers had their bill increased by the amount of monthly interest I was paying on my materials account. Do what's best for you Dean and good fortune. Don't surrender your peace of mind and sobriety/serenity over to the situation and before the atty go with HP.
Hey Dean, sorry to hear. Really unacceptable conduct on their part.
Sounds like you can deal with it pretty well yourself and with your HP though, no need to have to pay a lawyer to come along. You can always bring in the attorney after the meeting, if need be.
Also, thanks for posting. You're showing us younger sobriety folks how to deal with these things, without on the one hand falling back on old behaviors and without on the other hand, just taking "acceptance is the answer" the wrong way and letting people rip you off.
Nasty, has happened to me in the past. I would certainly bring in a witness but I would keep a list of the extras that are beyond the agreement, make sure I could prove that they were extras and if they don't pay, in Europe it is tax deductible to some extent and the revenue get to bill them. I am not sure about the states but I think there would be something like that, it goes on their tab if they are solvent. Keep cool, not confrontational and listen, I know they are trying to do you you over, but in my opinion this is the best solution.
Shmucks. Sounds like fairly typical construction business dealings.
Ya pray, take a deep breathe . Have plan A, B and hopefully you wont need C.
All my life since getting sober has pretty much so been about dealing with ppl and developing relationships. Seems like God is always preparing me for my next lesson .....
Stick to your guns, Dean! You're good at boundaries even if your financial security may be being threatened on an emotional level. I know it's not necessarily about the money but when I'm waiting on money owed to me it can get highly annoying & begin to feel very very personal. It sounds like they're out trying to get what they can & you know that's not about you. Draw your quarters & hang tough. I've every faith that you'll uphold what is right whilst maintaining your self-respect.
Keep your heels in & hold with your silent confidence & higher powered belief, Dean. I know you'll deal just fine, make your points & give the choice to comply or they can face the next choice you offer. Keep close with your boundaries & enjoy your honour. I know you can do this with an assertive dignity & not let any of your emotional stuff affect you there. Thanks for sharing for support here, brother. You're a winner & I have every faith this will work out as is right to for you. Godbless, keep & be with you, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
thanks family, I don't feel so alone in this irritating situation. One of the hardest challenges to "practicing these principals in all of our affairs" is dealing with dishonest people. When that happens I try and remove them from my world asap, and when I can't I try and keep them accountable on paper.
One of the hardest challenges to "practicing these principals in all of our affairs" is dealing with dishonest people.
Somehow that made me smile!!! It's not like we don't deal with dishonest people on a daily basis. We're all alcoholics & most of us have been dishonest numerous times. I find myself thinking as you & then remind myself. "There goes I". lol Doesn't make it right but whatever the action there's always a consequence. I'm all for taking another alcoholic dressed up with you!! Hope you get this resolved & come to a "solution"!!:)
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Rheinhold Niebuhr
If it does not work out, just turn around and drop trou and request that they form a single aisle line to kiss your a$$. (Well, thats what I would do.)
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"You're in the right place. That's the door right there. Turn around."
Meeting is put off till tomorrow. I feel better now that I wrote a two page discussion points agenda for the meeting. You know here I am, "the contractor" and I'm feeling vulnerable about getting paid (it's down $10k now) because the snaky Assoc. President is making irrational demands to appease random condo owners. It's stupid and I should be able to deal this stuff without any emotion at all. I realized that it's bringing up classic issues like parental perfectionism, rejection, verbal abuse, and dishonesty. I've done a lot of work in these areas, but forgot to pause and say "this is not my stuff, it's thiers". My failure here was to get the customer to sign a punchout agreement stating the job is accepted when these items are addressed. It won't happen again. Thanks for the support, it helped a lot.
-- Edited by StPeteDean on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 10:54:41 AM
The meeting went well yesterday. I called the manager today and he told me that they have a Condo board meeting next wednesday and they are going to tell the board that the board walk is complete, and that the minor irregularities will remain as they don't think they're worth paying to fix. Thanx God.
the minor irregularities will remain as they don't think they're worth paying to fix.
That's great!! If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything!! Stand your ground!!!!
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Rheinhold Niebuhr
