Dear M E,
Thank you for talking with me about my past-due invoices. I appreciate the information you provided.
As of today, July 15, 2008:
- Invoice 230 Syria (April 17, 2008; $XXX.00) is now 61 days past-due.
- Invoice 235 for Israel (May 9, 2008, $XXX.50) is now 29 days past-due.
- Invoice 236 for Lebanon (May 26, 2008; $XXX.50) is 19 days past-due.
- Invoice 238 for The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (June 10, 2008, $XXX.00) is 5 days past-due.
Deadbeat Publisher’s total outstanding balance is $X,XXX.00. I expect payment of these past-due invoices immediately. As we discussed, my payment terms are net 30 days.
If I don’t receive payment for all outstanding invoices by Wednesday, July 23, I will have no choice but to turn all four of these past-due invoices over to my collections agent. Furthermore, after July 23, a charge of 3% per month will apply to all past due invoices until they are paid in full. My collections agent is aware of these additional charges and will seek payment for all sums due.
It is unacceptable that a check cut this week will take two weeks to mail. I expect payments for all past-due invoices to be sent immediately via overnight delivery the day the check is cut at Deadbeat Publisher’s expense.
I regret having to do business this way, but as a business owner, I feel it is prudent to follow the advice of my attorney in this matter. I amply performed my responsibilities as a freelance copyeditor for your four books in good faith. Additionally, I went above and beyond my job description by providing a series style sheet, which contained terms from the three Creation of a Modern Middle East titles I edited, for your convenience and the benefit of your series.
Thank you for your help expediting these payments.
Sincerely,
SarabellaE
July 15, 2008 at 5:40 pm
fuck yeah
July 15, 2008 at 5:43 pm
You go. You sound like you aren’t messing around. I hope that writing the letter was a cathartic exercise, whether or not it leads to payment.
July 15, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Yeah, they don’t want to go to collections. That’s just another hassle they don’t need. Well done. Do I still get to call and be mean?
July 15, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I can also call and be scary nice, I have experience.
July 15, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Gimme mah moneh, bitches! Awesome.
July 15, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Hell yes.
July 15, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Hopefully, I won’t have to ask you to. But you’re my ace in the hole.
July 15, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Rad! I love righteous indignation when it’s actually right.
July 15, 2008 at 7:48 pm
you go. I wouldn’t mess with the lot of you, and I’ll offer my services as yet another ace in the hole if you are interested. I’m sure you’ll get paid.
July 15, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Sa-weeeeet. I love ot when you’re a bad ass. It’s really hot.
July 15, 2008 at 11:09 pm
It was good to write it. And to send it. And now I feel petrified and freaked out. Thanks for your support.
July 15, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Thank you for helping make me sound like I know what I’m doing, even though I totally do NOT know what I’m doing. The business part of running a business is hard. Thanks so much for your help and pep talks.
July 15, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Thank you very much. I hope you’re right. I’ll let you know if I need more collections agents. 🙂
July 15, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Thanks, Kimmie. Love you.
July 15, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Yeah, you’re definitely on the team. Thank you.
July 15, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Thank you for the encouragement!
July 15, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Thanks, honey. Let’s hope it works.
July 16, 2008 at 1:12 am
Go you!
July 16, 2008 at 11:48 am
And of course, if you decide to go beyond what is socially acceptable and delve into my area, I’m there for you. Personal visits are my speciality. (yes, I spelled it that way)
Deep down inside I can be a really ugly person. On the surface too!