AiRpollUtiOn 0 #1 March 7, 2005 I have worked for a skydiving center for about 6 months in 2003. At the moment I had to leave (there was no more plane at that time so no more work) the center still owed me 1000 euros in salary (about 1200-1300 dollars). I have been calling and e-mailing them for about 2 years now and even though they always tell me they're going to pay me, I never see any money. 3 weeks ago I got another confirmation that they would pay me in one week time, and when I try calling them now they don't pick up their phones. The club was new when they started and I was promissed to get a contract, but at the end of those 6 months, they didn't have that fixed yet. Ho do I get the money that I worked for??? Does anyone have any suggestions??? I know I should have been more carefull, but before all this I considdered the owners as my friends, which goes to show... About two months after I left they bought a new plane and restarted, and at the moment they're doing fine from all I hear. Would love some suggestions. Thx"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smeger 0 #2 March 7, 2005 Sorry to hear that. that real sucks man, have you tried righting to the skydiving association over there and telling them? They might have a word with the center. Just keep hassling them everyday, all day. They will probably get so pissed off they will pay you to shut you up lol. I'm sure there must be some sort of legal action you can take? They cant expect you to work for free, contract or no contract. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darrenspooner 0 #3 March 7, 2005 I get faced with this in my job quite a bit. Usually its solicitors that don't pay their bills! I am afraid that when it comes to this then there is no grounds for respect or loyalty to the drop zone in question. Write to them and give them 7 days to pay, otherwise you will name and shame on as many national and international forums as you can, and you will hand the matter over to your solicitor, and mention that they will be responsible for your costs as well as the money they owe. I usually get paid within 3 days when I do this, and I've only once ever had to actually have my solicitor take care of it. Before I took this hard line I had some people take up to 4 years to pay me, because I was too nice. You worked hard for that money, and they are taking the piss. Time to get your gloves off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #4 March 7, 2005 I have had to collect money from customers before. Sometimes I win by being their best friend. I try to be polite and simply ask them for the money. They don't feel threatened - and pay. Often I will offer terms, like 10% of what is owed paid monthly. If you choose to send an open letter to the community, I would: 1) Make sure it is as professional as possible, listing very specific details, and not making any personal attacks. 2) Make sure you send it to the DZO 7 days before you publish it, and put that in the letter, that the DZO had 7 days to acknowledge your concerns and pay you the first installment of 100 euros. What is that, a few jump tickets? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #5 March 7, 2005 Well, actually in august 2004 I agreed on a settlement like that, they would pay me in 4 monthly terms, 250 euros each month. Nothing showed up on my bank account. In december they had a big event at the dropzone, and now I'll quote the DZM: "we made good money, so now we can pay everyone that we still owe money to, in 1 week I'll be home and I'll pay you" 2 weeks later (transactions can take time, i acknowledge that) there was still nothing on my bank account. I tried calling and calling, but they didn't pick up the phone. The only way I know to contact the DZO is to call the centre and ask one of the staff if they can get him on the phone for me. The staff doesn't know why I'm calling. Allthough the company claims to stand for high moral values, and corporate social responsibilities they fail to treat me as what I should be treated like, a guy who worked 6 days a week 14 hour days to try to get their centre running. This is coming straight of their website: At ....... we aim to base our activities on the principles of sustainable development, and believe that we can best achieve sustainable enterprise by creating the right balance between business growth, environmental protection and social stability. .........is a skydive centre with strong corporate values supporting not only our staff and clients, but also the local community and environment. Our Values: Full Transparency and communication Employee Motivation Strong Human and Environmental values reflecting the importance we attach to the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Realizing and managing in a positive fashion the impact we have on the world around us. Preserving the social life and local heritage. I worked hard and what I claim is the shittiest salary ever taking those hours into account, but I try to be the honest one, and I claim nothing more than what was the deal. Man o man, it has ruined my monday-morning mood again! (Edited to put the website part in, it kinda struck me)"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #6 March 7, 2005 Why dont' you take them to court? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #7 March 7, 2005 How far into court do you get with 1000 euros, and how much time would it cost? It'll propably cost me more than it would bring me. Anyway, I'm still playing softball here, I still assume they will snap out of it soon, which is pretty naive (spelling suggestions are welcome), but I'd rather be someone like myself than someone like them..."Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,171 #8 March 7, 2005 QuoteI'd rather be someone like myself than someone like them... That's a good motto to live by. I like the "give them 1 week to have money already in your account or you'll go public with their name" option. Even I'd do that one, and, well, I'm pretty nice and non-confrontational as a rule. A couple of months ago there was a similar thread about someone "buying" gear and not paying for it; he did go public with the name, and yes, he got his money. You're owed the money. You earned it. Heck -- you could even go there, walk to the office, and request to be paid. I'd suggest doing it when there are a bunch of local jumpers in the office. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #9 March 7, 2005 Ask them to pay you in jump tickets. They won't be out of the cash that they probably don't have and if you need cash, you can sell them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #10 March 7, 2005 QuoteAsk them to pay you in jump tickets. They won't be out of the cash that they probably don't have and if you need cash, you can sell them. In one way I wish I could, because once I get my money I'll spend a lot of it on skydiving anyway, but that club is a 5-hour flight away from where I live... That was a very good suggestion, but in this case sadly enough not really handy! On the other hand, I worked for that money, so I should be the one deciding what to do with it. When we sat down before I started working there no-one was talking about jump-tickets, we were talking about green ones!"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #11 March 7, 2005 QuoteQuoteI'd rather be someone like myself than someone like them... That's a good motto to live by. I like the "give them 1 week to have money already in your account or you'll go public with their name" option. Even I'd do that one, and, well, I'm pretty nice and non-confrontational as a rule. A couple of months ago there was a similar thread about someone "buying" gear and not paying for it; he did go public with the name, and yes, he got his money. Thx for your reply Wendy, I would really love to have like 50 second opinions on this one, see this would be a pretty tough decision, seeing I don't wish bad things to any-one, and this would not be wishing for but providing bad publicity. What do you guys think of this, and is anyone able to find the tread that Wendy was talking about???"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,171 #12 March 7, 2005 Thread Ask and ye shall receive Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 292 #13 March 7, 2005 Even if they make one or two partial payments, they are likely to screw you for the remainder, as it becomes less and less likely that you will take legal action as the remaining debt is decreased. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccurley 0 #14 March 8, 2005 As Wendy Said You're owed the money. You earned it. Heck -- you could even go there, walk to the office, and request to be paid. I'd suggest doing it when there are a bunch of local jumpers in the office. I had a similar situation about 12 yrs ago in Toronto when a restaurant my wife was working for was stiffing and stalling on wages. I walked in and demanded her money just before the dinner time crowd would arrive. He said He "didn't have it" I said "i'll be back in half an hour, If you don't pay, I'll create enough noise that all your customer leave" He had the money after all!!!! Go front up. Be polite but firm and loud!Watch my video Fat Women http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRWkEky8GoI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #15 March 8, 2005 QuoteHow far into court do you get with 1000 euros, and how much time would it cost? It'll propably cost me more than it would bring me. No, in the US we have small claims court. The only thing it would cost you is court fees. I'm sure where you're at has something similair. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 0 #16 March 8, 2005 The UK has the same. So do most (all?) European countries. I don't know how it works if you're in a different country to the person you're trying to claim off though... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #17 March 9, 2005 I am in a different country, and the owners of the centre live in a different country as the country where the centre is situated, and I am not living in the country I was born in... Makes things pretty difficult, doesn't it?"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
