Mike Finch, owner of Ole Handyman requested that I build a website for him and his partners for a new power toy business. I did as he asked and was never paid for it. The amount was $404.94.
He owes me an additional $1200.00 for site maintenance not included in our original contract for his olehandyman.com website.
He also ordered a magazine ad from me in the amount of $757.75.
I billed him for all 3 items and he returned my invoices to me saying he was refusing to pay. Mike stated to me that he was waiting to get his draw to pay me and that he would take care of it as soon possible. The same conversation took place two weeks in a row, several times. Then he stopped returning my calls and returned my invoices.
I have since been told by several other people not to trust him that he did THE EXACT SAME THING to them!!!
I took down his website for non-payment and he threatened me with criminal prosecution. I have since restored his website not wanting to press the issue. I'm still not sure whether I have legal rights to do that.
I also removed him from the magazine at the last moment.
I did his original website for him with a contract and he paid me for it. When I asked him about the other projects he said that he didn't need contracts. His word was gold. I didn't argue since I had already had a positive experience with him. I'm assuming that's because he knew he wasn't going to pay me for anything.
I have done honest work for him and I just want to be paid for the work that I have done. He gets paid for what he does but does not pay others what he owes them! He still owes me $1200 for site maintenance and $404.94 for the toy website. I have filed a complaint with The Better Business Bureau. I am also filing a suit against him.
He was recently voted Handyman of the Year 2008 but I don't know how he sleeps at night. From a business perspective, it's not a good idea to treat other people in the community the way he has!
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