As a favor for a friend I offered to do a website for them (not the piece of junk they are currently using) for a way below market price ($2000) when the lowest other offer they had was in excess of $20,000. The original site was to be set up with point of purchase buttons and the owner only wanted 100 of his items listed so that they could later add the rest of their stock once the system was set up.
We agreed on a non refundable $1000 deposit to cover my upfront time and expenses until the project was complete. I went into the office (8 hours) to begin gathering data, plus spent at least 40 hours at my home office coming up with different options for layouts and more professional logos as well as researching the point of sale software that was really not useful for his needs.
When I returned to the office to begin, the owner Mark then stated that the agreement was that I enter all of his product (multiple thousands of items and a much bigger job then would be worthy of $2000. So I returned the software and all the work that I had done thus far to him and considered it a wash.
Next thing I know he is suing me for $1000. Well, I went to court and rather than waste my very valuable time in going back and forth with a court case because anyone as unethical as this person is not worth my time I simply settled for $500 and chalked it up to a learning experience (never do a favor for a friend).
Next thing I know when I run my credit report 3 years later so that I may purchase a home, lo and behold what shows up on my credit report but a collection report that was never removed for $1000.
So, I contacted Mark and below you will see the tone of both my email (which was simply asking him to correct this matter expediently for me) and the tone of his threatening me with a lawyer (although on what grounds I don't know, obviously brains aren't necessary to own a business). So please read the following three emails, if more come through I will be happy to add on:
Original message from me:
Following is the information listed on my credit report from your company that needs to be immediately addressed and removed on your part as the case was settled in court so therefore, NO debt is owed and should NOT be
showing on MY credit report.
I took care of this in good faith even though I did a job for you valued at more than what I paid you back.in essence you received free service and I had to pay you for it. I would expect this matter to be cleared up today and would like a copy of this correction sent to my email or fax immediately. Email is (Deleted)
I would also appreciate a copy of a letter from your company on your letterhead to be emailed or faxed to me that this matter is being taken care of so that I may notify my creditor that it is being taken care. I did my part in good faith and would hope you will do the same. Thank you. Below is the info listed on my credit report:
Capstone Credit Service/510240004 (XPN-YC1980224*)
I 08-02 1000 N/A 1000 Y-9 Coll/P&L 10-02 - - - 10
History 10-2 9 - 9 APP
Ctgy: Collection
CN: Florida Shaver & Appliance
Account Submitted to collection Coll 01-02
Past Due Past $1000
Once again I need this matter taken care of today as well as copies that this matter has been rectified.
Thank you
Gabrielle
Response from Mark:
I just opened the email and it is after hours so i can't do anything now. You must first know that i do not and will not respond kindly to threats, (i have kept a copy if i need forwarding to any legal entities) and that quite simply, you did not provide the product OR service you had agreed to, hence the court settlement. The credit report filing was placed by the collection agency, not me, which was well before the court settlement. I will call them tomorrow and find out the procedure for them to remove completely or add a note to your report that proclaims the matter resolved.
Mark
My response to the above:
I did not threaten you, I merely stated that this matter needs to be taken care of expediently as I did take care of my end of the bargain. A threat would have been stating that I had contacted a lawyer (which is what you just threatened me with although what grounds you would have would be highly curious).
So in essence if anyone is doing any threatening it would be you. I would appreciate you taking care of this matter expediently as it is holding up matters on my end that should not be held up due to something that has been settled.
Also if you remember rightly it was settled because I no longer cared and did not wish to deal with you or your company any more and simply didn't have the time or inclination for a long drawn out case in order to win. And in all actuallity I did provide product and service I spent numerous hours of my time at your office and at home working on the project that you changed after the original agreement.
If you took it as a threat me asking you to take care of this expediently I apologize, but do not threaten me as I have done nothing wrong. All I have asked is for you to correct something that you did not correct immediately when the issue was handled. So, yes I do have copies as well. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you early tomorrow.
Gabrielle
Now should anyone see this any different I'll be happy to hear it but as far as I'm concerned this company and the individual who runs it is not only unethical but completely untrustworthy. Save yourself trouble don't buy his refurbished merchandise either ten to one it will break down and you'll be out of money too.
Gabrielle
Pinellas Park, Florida
U.S.A.
0 comments