Took 4 months to get paid for a 3 day logo job, finally got a check after threatening a lien

Honestly, this still grinds my gears. Did a quick logo refresh for a local coffee shop in Omaha back in March. Three days of work, $800 agreed upfront in writing. They paid $200 deposit, then ghosted me for 4 full months. Emails ignored, phone went to voicemail, even stopped posting on their Instagram. I finally sent a formal demand letter mentioning a mechanics lien on their equipment and suddenly got a check within 5 days. No apology, no explanation, just a check. Has anyone else had to go full legal threat mode just to see a cent? How long did your slowest payer drag it out?

2 comments

2 Comments

wells.evan20d ago

Hell, that check probably came with strings attached, tax-wise they wrote it off as a loss and you ate the income.

garcia.wren20d ago

Them writing it off as a loss doesn't mean you're stuck eating the income, I've been there and a decent tax person can usually work around it. Might be worth getting a second opinion before you assume the worst.