I have some clients who have broken a contract and owe me quite a lot of money. They basically neglected to tell me that the wedding wasn't going ahead. The contract, which they both signed, stipulates cancellations must be made at least 80 days before the date and if later than that the full photographic attendance fee must be paid. I found out one week before! I will probably have to go to the small claims court, but wondered if there are any legal eagles on here?

I'm no legal eagle but that sounds pretty clear to me! :thumb:

I'm no legal eagle but that sounds pretty clear to me! :thumb:


It sure does, but its getting the folks to part with the readies thats the hard part.:mad:

Sorry to hear that - a lot of solicitors will offer a short consultation meeting to discuss the situation, and it might be worth having a chat.

Often it will only take a solicitors letter with a threat of court action to make the clients cough up - they will try and stall for a while to see if you persue it or not.

Good luck

Gareth

Thats exactly what I'm hoping for. I reckon a solicitors letter will be enough to prove I'm serious! They are replying to my letters and invoices trying to wheedle out of it so they are obviously hoping I will eventually just give up.
The wedding was meant to take place in July, but having spoken to the hotel the couple actually cancelled that in October last year.:confused: Had they let me know back then I could easily have taken another booking. Too bloody lazy I reckon!:mad:

Yep .... solicitors letter.

It MAY have been a geniune mistake that they forgot about the photographer - still thats no consolation as far as you're concerned, and you're the one inconvienienced and out of pocket due to not being able to take another commission.

I've taken a number of calls at about 9.30 am from people who owe us money wanting to sort payment out when they've had a solicitors letter in the post that morning.

Hope you get it sorted,

Gareth

No its no mistake. They seem to think that as they paid a deposit they could just get married some other time and I would turn up for that gig instead!:wonder:
Sounds from your experiences that a solicitor's letter is the dynamite required.

Ta very much.:thumb:

No its no mistake. They seem to think that as they paid a deposit they could just get married some other time and I would turn up for that gig instead!:wonder:
Sounds from your experiences that a solicitor's letter is the dynamite required.

Ta very much.:thumb:

Oh dear, slightly misguided then !

One final solution before getting solicitors involved is to send them one final letter stating clearly that if payment in full is not recieved within 7 days of the date of the letter then you will instruct your solicitor to instigate legal proceedings through the courts.

If that doesn't work then contact a solicitor - they can't say they haven't been given fair warning.

Gareth

PS - make sure you send the final letter "Signed For"/ Recorded or even Special Delivery - no get out by saying they didn't recieve it

They can refuse to accept a signed letter. Send one unsigned as well.
If you normally type the envelope, hand write it.