I occasionally try to sell my services on Craigslist to make extra money. In this case I had done a simple video project and completed the work for the client. I delivered the video to him at his Dropbox and basically had to wait for him to get me the payment, which was a modest $50.
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Date: 01/15/12
Martin:
Thanks David. Its fine for my purposes. I will get pymt to you tomorrow.
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Date: 01/16/12
davepoobond:
Hey Martin,
Just wanted to touch base again to see if you are able to send me payment today. Thanks!
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Date: 01/16/12
Martin:
Hey. Sorry. I had a HORRIBLE day. It isn’t over yet. Haven’t gotten to it yet but will. Had issues and couldn’t make my deadline. Should be done tonight.
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Date: 01/17/12
davepoobond:
Hey Martin,
Just checking in again to see if you’ll have an opportunity for payment today. Thanks again.
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I called him in between these e-mails asking about payment again, but was only able to leave a voice mail.
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Date: 01/20/12
davepoobond:
Hey again Martin,
Sorry to keep buggin you about it, but I thought I’d send you an e-mail as well. I left you a message about half an hour ago regarding the payment owed. Let me know if I can assist you with it. Thanks!
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Date: 01/24/12
davepoobond:
Hey Martin,
Just wondering if you were going to be able to let me know if you were going to pay for the video I did for you last week. Please let me know ASAP. Thank you.
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Date: 01/24/12
Martin:
David,
Sorry. I haven’t forgotten you. I had a HORRIBLE last 36 hrs. I just found out a lot of very distressing news. Please bear with me. I assure you I will take care of it but I just found out the person I am subletting from hasn’t been paying the landlord and I need to move IMMEDIATELY. That AND i got LAID OFF from my job yesterday so I am overloaded and don’t know what I have to do in the way of cash so i am trying to get my bearings. Sorry. Be back in touch tomorrow.
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Date: 01/24/12
davepoobond:
Sheesh… sounds terrible. Don’t worry about it just get it to me when you can then.
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Date: 01/24/12
Martin:
sorry to make my problems your problems. i will get it handled soon..
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At some point I called him again, and was given another bigger, escalating excuse as to why he couldn’t send me $50 for the work I did for him. I think it had something to do with not even being able to use the video for its intended purpose. At that point it wasn’t worth trying to collect, even though it was pretty funny/ridiculous.