My employer wont pay me. Now what can I do?

lockrookie · #1 06-25-2010, 05:03 AM

wouldnt he be able to use the ppl at the place he did the work as witnesses that he worked there and in fact did the work?

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #2 06-25-2010, 06:03 AM

This seems to be a very common practice among landscapers. I was also stiffed by a landscaper when I was going to University. Only time I've ever been ripped off for work I've done.

Aquattro · #3 06-25-2010, 06:06 AM

You could go undo the work you did

but don't get caught.....

lastlight · #4 06-25-2010, 06:10 AM

Ohhh...

Yeah I knew of a guy who did just that once. And we were installing irrigation systems so the payback made a massive mess.

Of course...you tracked him down online. Nothing says he couldn't do the same and see this here.

Sebae again · #5 06-25-2010, 06:13 AM

Yeah some landscapers I met their landscape business was a front for another type of horticultural business so make sure you know who you are trying to collect from.

lockrookie · #6 06-25-2010, 06:57 AM

what i meant was why cant (whatcanyedo) use the ppl he did the work for as proof that he did the work that he isnt getting paid for doing. it will make the contractor look bad. someone had to see him doing the work.

Funky_Fish14 · #7 06-25-2010, 07:13 AM

Definitely true.

I would try the lien approach though... just google 'alberta lien's' for info on it. Just understand what it is and have an idea of how you can do it... so you know what to use to make the threat. Then you can avoid the court altogether.

The idea behind it is... there is a certain cost associated with owernership of the property... part of that ownership cost accounts for services used to build/maintain the property... if (in my case for example) part of the property's development required payment of people to landscape and plant/sod etc..., then that is part of the cost of the house. If that cost is unpaid by the contractor then it is not accounted for by the buyer... I dont know exactly how it works, but basically a lien is the money still owed by the buyer (in my base this was the company hawthorne homes who owned the properties the work was on). Its similar to cars with unpaid loans who have been sold through several buyers... the lien goes with the car and whoever is the owner at any time is technically responsible for payment of such lien.

Hope that helps,

Chris

Funky_Fish14 · #8 06-25-2010, 07:14 AM

*Just the threat of something like that will light a fire under their seat... if they understand anything about it (or in some cases if they dont understand it they just get scared of legal terms they are unfamiliar with).

pinhead · #9 06-25-2010, 07:33 AM

I had to sue a contractor who stiffed me on a summer job during university. I didn't have a written contract either. Small claims process is pretty easy.

Contact the homeowners and any other workers at the site and tell them that you will be starting small claims proceedings and intend to call them as witnesses. They will be served with documents and be required to appear.

It is a hassle for them to go through this process so ask them to call the contractor to put some pressure on to pay you before you have to proceed.

If you do have to go to court prepare well and you should win.

no_bs · #10 06-25-2010, 07:50 AM

To bad i have been delayed Russell, I'd come give you a hand in some "Legal" pressure. If your still have this issue unresloved by the time i make it up there, we'll talk. Pressence speaks loudly.