Do I taken them to court?

[spikedo]

This comes under web development as I don't know where else to post and I need some help. I have a site that promotes a merchant using affiliate links. The merchant has broken the affiliate agreement and not paid me for nearly a year. The money owned is between $1K and $2k. Unfortunately, their business - which is still operating - is several states away. Does anyone have any idea what I could do to recoup my earnings? Just looking for info and ideas at this point. They don't return my calls or e-mails anymore.

 

[.edu]

If you can afford it, definately take them to court but lawyer fees may surpass what is owed to you. Maybe you would want to tell us who it is so we can avoid any business with them

 

[suthra]

F*ck the non payers. Take them to the court. Or create a domain like (therdomainnamesucks.com) and start an anti site. Post a warning against them in all the message boards with a link to your anti-site. They will SURELY reply.

 

[HFear]

Oh my gosh that's alot of money they owe you. What website do they have btw ? I'll see if I can try to get in contact with the owner.

 

[Coastalguy]

You might need to make a little road trip. Meet them face to face.

Hope all turns out OK...eventually.

ST

 

[rajatbohra]

Create a anticampaign against them...go in for consumer forum if u have one in your state...

 

[suthra]

Any updates on this spike?..

 

[shendia]

Would you have to file in their state? Sometimes that's part of the agreement you enter into. A lot of companies know that not everyone can afford to travel out of state to pursue something like this. It would be a whole lot easier if you could file in your own state, but then collecting it is still a whole nuther thang, know what I mean? Just because you win on paper doesn't mean you'll ever see any money, but I'm like everyone else looking at this thread.....who dunnit?

 

[netPH]

ask you're lawyer about your chances. If you find that you have the case then go on... sue them.

 

[spikedo]

Well, this is going to take some time. I found out that to take someone to small claims court, you have to do that in their local county. That means I'd have to travel several states to file some paperwork, come back, and then travel back when the case is heard by the judge. I also found out that I have to send via return receipt mail a final letter to the merchant outlining what is owed. Suing them is another but the lawyer fees will likely eat up the amount I'm owed. I don't want to out the merchant here just yet, but I will at the end of all this bs.

 

[phpman]

I would. That just sucks.

 

[axilant]

All that traveling... It will cost him a few hundred just for that, with the gas prices these days

 

[rb]

You should also post your question at the ABW forums, they have a lot of affiliates that know how to get money from shady merchants.

 

[armstrong]

You can just setup a "*sucks.com" website and tell your story. If they are a real business, they should come around.

 

[suthra]

All of the famous affiliate sites or paypment processor sites are afraid of the word *sucks.com LOL and they register it when they register their original domain.

If its available, Immediately register it and start your anti campaign

It will give them the creaps.

 

[spikedo]

The company is a small specialty retailer, so I'm not sure a sux site would work. But I did think of that already.

Axilant: You're correct. The cost is pretty high: $500 for air tickets, $70 for car rental, $30 for gas, $35 for court filing costs...yikes! And none of that can be claimed in small claims court.

RB: That's a good idea. Maybe the ABWers have a suggestion or two.

 

[axilant]

i say make *sucks.com i agree that should work... but theres a paypalsucks.com though and paypal doesnt care from what i seen....

 

[armstrong]

paypal doesnt care from what i seen....

What makes you say that? The paypalsucks.com website must cost them *a lot*of lost business.

 

[Blackpanther]

Originally posted by spikedo
The merchant has broken the affiliate agreement and not paid me for nearly a year. The money owned is between $1K and $2k.

Have you tried writing them a letter? by mail.. its more professional especially when you include your business letter head it also shows that you have attempted to resolve the problem..

Originally posted by axilant
i say make *sucks.com i agree that should work... but theres a paypalsucks.com though and paypal doesnt care from what i seen....

Oh they care.. they loose business because of paypalsucks and paypalwarning.. i believe paypal failed in getting these sites removed these are sites to allow people who have somthing to say to say it.. and when you type paypal into google you get the first three sites as:

paypal.com
paypalsucks.com
paypalwarning.com

So i would think they cared..

 

[axilant]

I dont hear to much about people talking about it.... Thats why i say that... yes there was a few posts on here.