Mark Bray (Instant Replays)owes me nearly $1000. Some of these assignments, all video, were for
<client>, doing shops on their agents renting office space, as well as doing comparison shops on their competition. These were done at the end of last summer. I also did a wacky video project involving
<client>, the food chain. There were many hours that I put in, and there was also Bray's desperate calls made to me to do "emergency" tasks, which I also did. This project pretty much ended in the fall. I have only partially been paid for both of these client's projects, despite many emails, both to him and his schedulers. I've heard the same excuses that I read here. The last time I heard back from him was in early December, when I was promised full payment before Christmas. Kathy Hart left with him owing her $6000. She told me this herself. Dani left pretty much without notice in November, shortly after taking over for Kathy, presumably for the same reasons that others are having with him, i.e. payments. Both her and Kathy have always gone to bat for me, but I could sense their frustration level for having been put in the middle of a bad situation. Jan Bowles, who is now scheduling for IR, is Mark Bray's SISTER-IN-LAW, which seems to explain why she is still there, although I would not be surprised if she is farming out the scheduling to other MS companies.....
I have run out of leverage (I own my own video and audio equipment, don't have any more reports or assignments to hold as hostage), so I am considering small claims court in North Carolina, even though I don't live in that state. I researched the protocol and it doesn't seem all that complicated or expensive. In fact, the collection process for a successful judgment favoring the plaintiff (up to $10,000) includes seizing property (BY A SHERIFF!)and auctioning it off.....I really don't want to go to these extremes, but the situation is pissing me off. The lack of response from Bray, his empty promises when he does respond, all have made things uglier than they need to be. I'm sure that we have all experienced late payments before, but this is the first time in over ten years of doing this kind of work that I feel like I am getting "brushed off".
I hope that this missive will perhaps shed some light on what is happening with Instant Replays these days. It has certainly made me feel better by getting it off my chest, and seeing that I am not alone in my predicament(though I am NOT WISHING it on anyone) has even given me a sliver of hope to get what is owed to me.....I welcome any and all feedback.
Mod note: Welcome, Jayoldsun. Sorry to hear of your difficulties. However, in the future, the forum's owner asks that we not link client and MSC in posts.