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February 22, 2009

Comments

Kay Flanery

Gill,

Glad I saw this. Sorry it happened to you & your wife. I agree that the media manager most likely violated both laws & morals.

In the company I work for, we have a pre-pay or pay at time of service policy. We state it up front & it does several things for us...we don't need as much back-office staff to follow up on collections. This also reduces disputed bills & keeps fees a bit lower.

I have heard of notorious companies who make money by delaying payment or having strict shipping, packing & invoice rules. They even do charge-backs if you don't do it correctly (May Co.) We don't do business with those guys. My boss has told us to walk away if our gut sends messages.

Thank you. Kay Flanery, JCS Computer Resource Corp.

Brad Simpson

Gill,

If Mr. Mullin had ample foreknowledge of the bankruptcy filing, his behavior is unconscionable, particularly since Cindy's services were not essential to day-to-day operations. And the decision to let invoices (comparatively small ones, at that) go past due, to roll them into the bankruptcy is, as one of my colleagues used to say, "chicken _ _ _ _."

As someone who has experienced, and was ultimately a casualty of a Chapter 11 reorganization, I am inclined to think that Mr. M knew exactly what he was doing, for the following reasons:

1. As Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs, surely he would have been in the loop on a matter as weighty as bankruptcy, as communicating its details and putting a positive spin on it, would primarily be his responsibility. It is inconceivable that any responsible CEO would keep someone thus charged in the dark, until the last minute.

2. Because many 'ducks' have to be lined up in advance, preparing and filing for protection under Chapter 11, is liable to take months.

As for the "quit complaining" e-mail: If the sender got stiffed, would they go silently? And what has the amount owed, to do with anything? It is not only beside the point, but presumes that $1800 is insignificant - which it isn't, to a small business owner.

Under Chapter 11, the court will determine who gets paid in what priority, and establish how much they are to receive. How long that will take, is anybody's guess. For Cindy's sake, I hope it is sooner, rather than later . . .

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Who Is The Sage of Selling?

  • Gill E. Wagner
  • Sickeningly In Love Husband
    Married to Cindy since 1983 and still enjoying the honeymoon.
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    It's not how fast you go, it's how good you look.
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    President, CEO or partner of six successful start-up companies.
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