Here's one for you

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008, 05:12 (GMT) Post subject:

I hope Sept' is satisfied with the many comments so far, I know I am - thank you all so much for these great opinions, advice and real-life examples. I will definately hit the brakes and have a talk with them.

Allison Scussel · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008, 06:28 (GMT) Post subject:

I've been a broadcast talent for over 20 yrs and also on the business side as traffic manager/accounts receivables for the past 10 yrs. Many agencies...some of the most popular in the US, can take up to 90 days to pay...but that's it.. 90 days. If a national agency is taking longer than 90 days to pay, stop providing your services. It means they're not getting paid from the client and therefore; they don't have the money earmarked to pay you.

One of the tools we use in A/R is credit check. We look into a companies payment history, get references from other broadcast groups they've worked with, and so forth. Treat your own VO business like any other business.

National agencies get screwed too. Unfortunatly, when they hire voice talent in the process, it's the talent that also gets the bumm deal. Even when you're working with a top notch agency, it's not impossible to be in a position where you won't get paid.

I firmly believe in the "90" day rule. If you don't see payment after 90 days, you probably won't see it at all.

This is just my opinion based on my experience. I don't want to see September nor Jacob get taken advantage of.

Personally, I have over $1000 USD in talent fees still owed to me, most of which was billed from early December 07. I should recieve that money shortly after mid March. I won't worry until then.

Good Luck to you and hope you get paid soon!!

~Allison~

September Day Leach · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008, 18:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks for all the help ladies and gents! It's so wonderful to have a place to come and get some good advice and bounce ideas off of pros Smile

Bill Campbell · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008, 19:37 (GMT) Post subject:

I work with many ad agencies. I would say about 60 days is normal for payment.

John Weeks · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008, 20:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Back in the 80's it was pretty standard for Ad Agencies to hold the money for 90 days. The reason was they would put all that media and talent money into CD's that they could make interest on for the 90 days, then they would pay thier bills. When the interest rates for CD's declined things changed, at least as far as my experiences go.

Larry Maizlish · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008, 23:25 (GMT) Post subject:

September,

Have you been paid yet? If not, how long has it been since you were expecting to be paid?

Dan Popp · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008, 23:40 (GMT) Post subject: New Story

Folks,
Just wanted to share an interesting conversation I had with a client today.

Flash back to 2 years ago when I was in the middle of a huge project for this company. Their payments to me were coming on a glacial time-scale. I finally said, no mas. No more workie until you get caught up. It was at that very moment that this person (the one in my studio this morning) took the helm of the project; so this was her very first impression of me! Shocked

I was (silently) having kittens, and my wife was having large cats, thinking that we were probably cheesing off this very large company... but...

Today the client told me that, far from being upset with me, she used my email ("we love you, but we can't go on like this") to go up 5 levels in the organization to show them how their own bad practices were reducing their productivity. Now, because I took a stand, they have procedures in place to get the necessary documentation to their Accounting people so that all their vendors - not just me - get paid in a more timely manner.

I don't write this to pat myself on the back; niedermayr anbeten

but to say again that our fears of a violent reaction when we politely but firmly demand our due, are usually overblown.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008, 23:53 (GMT) Post subject: Re: New Story

September Day Leach · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008, 18:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Larry Maizlish · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008, 18:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow, 10 days vacation, how great! I hope you had a good, relaxing time.

Depending on your contract specifics, 60 days is not that unusal, yet I do not know the specifics of your agreement with the client. Your friendly email to them is a good idea. Hopefully they will at least let you kow that the payment is still in process.

If they do not take care of things as you would like, feel free to contact me directly with the details. I may, or may not, have a few ideas.

Larry

Joseph Sinclair · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 17

It's nice to have a third party who can do the collection calls for you. A blood thirsty spouse, relative, or friend would be nice. They can be firm (or even nasty) without you jeopardizing your personal relationship with the person who hired you.

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 18:22 (GMT) Post subject:

Since you are accredited, SaVoa can help you if you want to get us involved.

David Oxford · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 19:29 (GMT) Post subject:

Michael Strah · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008, 17:00 (GMT) Post subject:

If they want you on retainer, get it in writing. Then, once the terms are clear and spelled out, raise the question of how the agent hasn't paid you.
If they are legit they can use their leverage to quietly help you out.
If they tell you it is something between you and the other guy, you get a fair idea of how things will go with them in the future.
Being in this business means working together through all facets of a project, from conception to payment and future work. It means that a good measure of trust is involved and that is easier to feel good about when you have legal recourse.
And trust means trust your gut feeling about things.