[Glenn Grant]

Dear Mr. Griffin,

I don’t believe I read the article, but I did enjoy your contributions to one of the cows round table pod casts.

Your comments on don’t do business with people you don’t trust really did strike a cord with me as this deal was just starting to go sour when I heard the pod cast.

I entered this deal with someone I did trust. Though I had never meet him before, the original GM that I dealt with seemed very honest and trust worthy and I have no issue with him. It all changed with the new GM. I don’t think it was just the new GM that made this go bad but also the circumstances at the time.

As I have been building my business over the past year, these forums have proven to be an invaluable resource. I hope to be able to help other people that are going through similar situations.

So to further the discussion, I agree that them not calling me again would be an upside. I don’t think I would do business with them even if they were willing to pay me upfront.

From a strict stand point I agree, money in the bank is a good thing. But this has become something more than just the money. If I don’t hold them accountable, then who will. I know they want to do more commercials. What about the poor sap that comes in next?? When people get away with this type of stuff, they just keep trying to pull it. If the prevailing business models become cut your loses and run, then everyone would try this type of thing.

[Glenn Grant]

It certainly pisses me off too. Like I said from a business stand point, maybe I should take the two thirds and run, but I don’t want to let these guys get away with anything.

What really pisses me off, is they wanted changes made after the fact, they still haven’t paid but they are still airing the commercials.

Just a warning and I wish I had a nickel for every time I read it here, don’t deliver until you get paid!!

[Glenn Grant]

Thank you David for you post. I have often appreciated your comments while reading other threads and it’s nice to know your position on this.

[Glenn Grant]

Thank you for your feed back.

I of course have not done any additional work. and I did bill the donuts as a separate job. That is the invoice I feel they need to pay in full.. the other invoice for finishing the spots I would be willing to cut. Though the work is now complete, they are only airing the first two spots.

I typically bill as you suggest. A deposit, then I get paid when I shot, I get paid when I edit, and I leave a little behind that I then get paid on final approval before I ship tapes.

The problem with this was I wanted to make things easy on what I thought would be a big account with ongoing projects.

As I read in another one of these posts, 30 day terms should be awarded to clients after they establish a solid relationship, not as a means to get clients.

I have learned a lot from reading these posts, and I that others that are trying to build a business can learn from this one.