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#1 armymp7101982

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 01:07 PM

So I rented an inflatable slide (dry) last week to a PTO. I set it up, I went up and slid down twice (always do this to prove safety in front of customers). Next day for their event, they call and tell me it's covered in wasps. There were no wasps when I set it up. They declined my offer to bring another slide. When I came back next day to pick it up, I saw a few on the netting, but 0 nests inside or out. I brought slide home and reinspected it inside and out (I opened the zipper and went into it while inflated. I think they would have attacked me if they were living inside.). I promised the customer I would give 100% refund if I found any evidence of wasps living inside. Rather than wait for the results of my inspection, she cancelled the check without warning, costing me quite a bit in overdraft charges ($116), plus the $190 that was pulled out of the account for the rental.

Lawyer friend of mine says to take her to small claims court. What should I do, besides not accepting checks anymore (that's my new policy.)? Ever come across this problem?

#2 Just 4 Jumping

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 01:56 PM

1) send certified letter with invoice showing total charges - payable by this date. Make sure you outline what steps you are taking.
2) send 2nd letter with updated late charges - payable by this date.
3) file your small claims

Make sure to save all your paperwork to take to court showing process.

#3 allstarinflatables

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 02:18 PM

What Just 4 Jumping said. Also does your signed contract state x amount is charges for a returned check.

#4 Just 4 Jumping

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 04:09 PM

this was the process i took yrs ago. Had a bounced check for $200, in the end it costed her almost $500. Whats even funnier is, the following year she tried to reserve a bouncer again, under husband name.

#5 Mr. Inflatables

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 04:36 PM

If a person cancels a check in California without cause it is a crime that could get you arrested. So you should also make a police report. If in small claims court they are found in the wrong it will then be a punishable crime. If you really want to stick it to them.

I suggest you weigh out your options, something to consider is your time and how you value it. Versus your intrinsic cost of retrieve the estimated $350.

In California you first send a 30 day demand letter, then a reminder , then off to court like mentioned above.



~ Rich

this was the process i took yrs ago. Had a bounced check for $200, in the end it costed her almost $500. Whats even funnier is, the following year she tried to reserve a bouncer again, under husband name.

So.. don't leave us hanging.. did you do the rental?.. if so did they try to pay by check again.

Edited by inflatablessuperstore, 20 November 2012 - 04:37 PM.


#6 pall2509

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 04:43 PM

ps keep more money in the bank or get a new bank that does not charge fees on an event beyond your control.

#7 Just 4 Jumping

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 04:53 PM

i took the rental, then canceled a couple hours before the party started, saying your address is on our "do not rent" list that we share with local companies. Sounds dirty, but you do me wrong, i do you wrong.

Edited by Just 4 Jumping, 20 November 2012 - 04:59 PM.

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#8 a2fire2i

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 06:19 PM

It was a school pto event? Just becareful if that's the case. Remember she will talk and those who she talks to might never get to hear your side of the story or even tell more people her side of the story.

I know its a tough call but weigh out all your options first...I know it sucks but it might be best to just take the lump and move on..
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#9 allstarinflatables

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 06:27 PM

It was a school pto event? Just becareful if that's the case. Remember she will talk and those who she talks to might never get to hear your side of the story or even tell more people her side of the story.

I know its a tough call but weigh out all your options first...I know it sucks but it might be best to just take the lump and move on..


Thought about this too. But if she already cancelled a check on you because it was "wasps" invested she is probably already bad mouthing your company.

#10 allstarinflatables

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 06:27 PM

i took the rental, then canceled a couple hours before the party started, saying your address is on our "do not rent" list that we share with local companies. Sounds dirty, but you do me wrong, i do you wrong.


AWESOME

#11 A Total Jump Inflatables

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 06:59 PM

I keeep hearing checks checks checks... i understand your pto is paying with checks but ive been getting credit cards all year long...also im using square up on my phone it works great and the money is in the next day..

#12 AHB

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 11:32 PM

So I rented an inflatable slide (dry) last week to a PTO. I set it up, I went up and slid down twice (always do this to prove safety in front of customers). Next day for their event, they call and tell me it's covered in wasps. There were no wasps when I set it up. They declined my offer to bring another slide. When I came back next day to pick it up, I saw a few on the netting, but 0 nests inside or out. I brought slide home and reinspected it inside and out (I opened the zipper and went into it while inflated. I think they would have attacked me if they were living inside.). I promised the customer I would give 100% refund if I found any evidence of wasps living inside. Rather than wait for the results of my inspection, she cancelled the check without warning, costing me quite a bit in overdraft charges ($116), plus the $190 that was pulled out of the account for the rental.

Lawyer friend of mine says to take her to small claims court. What should I do, besides not accepting checks anymore (that's my new policy.)? Ever come across this problem?


Were they able to send you any pictures with the wasps on the unit??? With people having camera phones, they should have sent proof. I have had an event that we put a inflatable up and it was near a japanese hornet nest in the ground, and a few found their way under the netting. We had no way of knowing, told the maintenence crew at the park about it and they handled it.

#13 MWC

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Posted 21 November 2012 - 05:37 AM

I had this couple years ago some lady argued with me that we brought an inflatable rolled up with a complete wasp nest in it because there was probably 30 or 40 Waps on the unit that showed After it was blown up and after we were already gone

#14 B N

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Posted 21 November 2012 - 06:39 AM

#1 never ever take your lumps, thats your business now go get your cash.
#2 for some reason certain color vinyl (yellow) attracts them, happens here to.
#3 Last bounced check I got I took it to the police where several of them are good friends and I rent to the whole force. He took me to the ladies house, asked the lady for the cash and she refused saying it rained (it did for bout 30 min). The officer told her of the law and still she refused so he read her her rights and took her to the station. I guess her husband came in livid and the cop told them what you did is fraud and you can spend some time. The coptold them they must pay and then file in Small Claims if there was an issue. They did pay, the lady spent 5 hrs in the clink with a stainless steel toilet. Never heard another word.

Now finish off your profile, where you from??

#15 funlight

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Posted 21 November 2012 - 09:24 AM

As it is a PTO (same as PTA?) I doubt that they are trying to scam you.

So think about it from their position. At an event, your bouncer was at had a wasp problem. Rather than considering other options, they took the easier route of blamming you.

Now if they believe it is your fault, they are acting reasonably in their minds. Rationalization is a common mental defense.

The nut of the problem is not the cancelling of the cheque, it is the blaming you for the wasps (the cheque is a bi-product). If you can convince the PTO that the wasps were local you may be able to salvage the relationship (future bookings) and recover some or all of the money.

The more you demand the money, the less willing they will be to consider that the wasps were not your problem. Not paying you, is heavily tied to their self image as a strong manager who can deal with difficult people. Every time they refuse to pay you or bad mouth you for demanding payment they will be reinforcing that self image.

By shifting them to looking at the source of the wasps, which presents an ongoing risk to the children, you activate a different frame and they may be more willing to work with you.

Resolving the conflict this way will likely take more than $350 rental loss to resolve. you have to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.

If you are heading into the off season (put your location in), then this could be a good means of promotion.

#16 armymp7101982

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Posted 21 November 2012 - 10:05 AM

Update on a couple issues:
1) I've updated my profile. Don't know why it's not showing, but I'm in Mississippi.

2) I'm certain she's not trying to scam me, but I'm also certain she stole my services by canceling the check. I also know she's already bad mouthing my company. She refused to talk, only text. I was extremely professional until she essentially told me to suck it up and be happy with the deposit ($50). She had an 18' dry slide the entire weekend 45 miles away. I delivered, set up, removed, inspected and cleaned the slide. There was 0 evidence of wasp infestation.

3) She dangled the "we rent $1000 worth of slides every year, so you should have let this one go." She made her decision when she canceled the check.

4) to "pall2509," no &$@!, Sherlock. I was spending money that I knew I had in my account. Neither my customer, nor my bank notified me of my negative balance. The issue is not that I didn't have the money, it's that the money was removed. I don't keep a lot in my business account because I don't purchase anything but fuel from that account right now.

#17 allstarinflatables

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Posted 21 November 2012 - 11:09 AM

2) I'm certain she's not trying to scam me, but I'm also certain she stole my services by canceling the check. I also know she's already bad mouthing my company. She refused to talk, only text. I was extremely professional until she essentially told me to suck it up and be happy with the deposit ($50). She had an 18' dry slide the entire weekend 45 miles away. I delivered, set up, removed, inspected and cleaned the slide. There was 0 evidence of wasp infestation.


You went 45 miles away to make $240? That is 180 miles for the entire rental.

I am assuming the person you are dealing with is the PTO president, which means you could probably find her at the school somewhere. I would go sit down and talk to her face to face. Bring someone else in that was at the event like the principal or asst principal and let them hear both sides. Tell them you are running an honest business and you did not discover any nests of any type when you delivered or picked up. Be professional and don't get into a back and forth argument.

ASK THEM POINT BLANK DID YOU USE THE SLIDE DURING THE EVENT? DID YOU SELL WRISTBANDS AND PROFIT OFF OF MY EQUIPMENT? If the answer is yes, you will be due a check and any responsible person should side with you. Do some research and find pictures of the event with kids on your slide and have them in your back pocket if they lie to you.

Edited by allstarinflatables, 21 November 2012 - 11:10 AM.


#18 funlight

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Posted 21 November 2012 - 12:03 PM

If they are 45 miles away, their impact on your business is probably a bit lower.

I would look to take allstarinflatables advice and try to talk to the person with the principal. Typically people will moderate their behaviour when they are around a person that they respect.

As was mentioned, ask if they took any photos or video of the wasps. ask if they still made money off of it or got amusement value from it. counter will a letter/email from the renter immediately before them who says that there were no wasps.

Stress your desire to resolve the problem without going to the courts.

best of luck
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#19 da_real_ijump

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Posted 27 December 2012 - 09:15 PM

Hmmmmm, digging up an old topic here. I cannot imagine these people lying, I always assume people are straight up and find they usually are.
Now for the wasps, it would not surprise me in the least it if it did have wasps on it, I find very regularly 2 of our games attract insects like crazy because they are Yellow and Green. I can't explain it and vow never to buy those 2 colours again. I really just wanted to let anyone know reading this thread that certain colors of vinyl and certain places may have problems like this. I definitely do regularly, do not assume the worst.




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