Collecting from Internet publisher

I wrote for a sports Web site from sept through feb. The publisher stiffed me for 2-plus months payment ... about $800. I had an oral agreement with him and so did a buddy of mine, who has gotten paid. Any ideas on how i can collect from this deadbeat?

 

Tremendous.

 

Thank god I wasn't drinking milk when I read this reply.

 

Oral agreement? Yeesh. Without anything on paper, that's a real...

 

We used to have a saying where I worked, "If it ain't writ, it ain't said".

You're pretty much out of luck.

 

the theme song from people's court may be the best ever.

 

I'd try and shame/harass him into paying you. Call him every day. Call his wife. At work. Call his parents. Call Call Call.

Does the guy still publish? If so, go public so others don't get screwed too.

 

Go to his office and threaten to stab him in the face. If he doesn't pay you -- in cash, on the spot -- stab him in the face.

That's how we do things where I'm from.

 

I got ripped off the same way - almost a grand - for some radio hosting I did for a syndicated show. They were having financial problems but the guy kept saying - "I told the girl to get that check out to you. You should get it any day". Then one day the phone was disconnected and the e-mail bounced. I later heard they went bankrupt.

I hope you have better luck than I did. It really sucks getting stiffed - especially when you really need the money.