I'll try and make it short. I often get referrals from an in state engineering firm for some of the smaller stuff in my area they can't really compete on. It works out well for both of us.
This one was from an irrigation contractor looking for some more precise distances on fields than he could get with his garmin. They were to install pivot systems, and he wanted me to stake the pivot points per 1/4 section, and some of the overlapping points. This encompassed 2 sections.
It took me all day to measure in the fences, some buffers for access, some additional clearing they needed to do. Then I went back to office to make a map showing all the distances he needed and give it to him , then I was to return and stake the pivot points and clearing limits. Pretty straightforward stuff, and kind of different.
That was last fall. He never called to go back to stake the pivot points. Two invoices later and all unreturned calls, I contacted the owner. He didn't hire the guy and went with somebody else. Owner never got a copy of my maps. I never asked if this was speculative in nature - I assumed he had the job.... MY BAD!!!
Welllll, now it seems his card that clearly says XYZ, Incorporated is false. There is no corporation. So I check with the Registrar of Contractors. No such name. I try to find him via phone system, notta. His only number is a CA cell phone. No such company in CA either (but their websites are not user friendly).
All I want to do is sue the guy in small claims, but I can't find him. Besides, I need the articles of incorporation or whatever filings to do so. It isn't enough money to warrant a private detective (under $2K), but I wonder about the sheriff or AZ Corp Commission due to the fraud. I may just sue him personally, along with the bogus corporation.
Ok, rant off. Have a nice day...:-P
Take Sunnys advice
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Sounds likes a couple of oil field LLC's I've encountered.
I no longer will take on any project for anyone connected with the oil field business. I make it very clear to them that this has nothing to do with them because I don't know them, it is merely a business decision I have made. Go find some other fool.
Got a doozy to sue, but can't find him
Don't you know thats what doosies do, disappear?
If the prospective client will not put up some cash fees up front for the first up to 30 days billing or finish, thats a good indication of a doozy loser. Send him on down the road to plauge your competitors.
That is likely what will happen. But I've already contacted his supplier regarding his status as a viable business, and will likely file in small claims against him personally. No doubt uncollectable as it will end in a default judgement, but one never knows. That is why I notified his supplier.
Just one of those good looking deals that went bad. No doubt if the owner would have hired him (as I incorrectly assumed)... I wouldn't be in this dilema. Oh the joys of self employment.... and being a bit over anxious in this crappy economy. I should have done more homework, but my referring PE firm is square biz so.... well you know
> All I want to do is sue the guy in small claims, but I can't find him. Besides, I need the articles of incorporation or whatever filings to do so. It isn't enough money to warrant a private detective (under $2K), but I wonder about the sheriff or AZ Corp Commission due to the fraud. I may just sue him personally, along with the bogus corporation.
>
It may be possible to file the suit in small claims court and let the court find him. You shouldn't need the articles of incorporation to file small claims suit. I sued a car dealer once who literally was 'here today gone tomorrow' - I had no idea where he was or how to find him. When they asked me if I knew how to serve/find the guy I answered honestly - they assigned a summons officer to it, and he was served within the week. Worth every penny...
This lesson gets purchase when your pocket is at risk. It is worth it if the mistake is never again allowed. Just beware, there are charletans in the mix to eliminate very early on as client contenders.
I did some work for an architect (I know, I know, a bad decision to start with. Well, he just wouldn't pay so I took him to small claims court. His lawyer called me and, while laughing in my face, informed me that I would not get a cent because the architect just filed for bankrupcy. I can still hear that SOB laughing!!!
I went to court anyway and got a judgment for the full amount. I filed a lien on everything and everyone I could find, including the property that we did the survey for.
Fast forward several years. I got a phone call from the attorney. They were selling the property and he wanted to pay me the original amount to have me remove my lien. That's when I informed him that he owed me the original amount PLUS court costs PLUS interest from the date of the judgment. Boy, was he pissed! He called me all the names he could think of, BUT he eventually paid it all and then I removed the lien.
Sometimes the system works in your favor, and when it does it fees soooo good!!!