However, I wouldn't go through the hassle of a lawyer for $1200. You could make that money back on other jobs with the time and energy it takes to go through that process and the other jobs will be more fun.
I don't know that I can agree with this. What ever the price is, we need to do all within our power to collect.
Had a lady try to stiff me on a small bill once. $117.00. I tried to collect for about three weeks. I'd call and she'd tell me to come by and she would pay me but when I got there, she was never home. Finally, I showed up unannounced and surprised her. That's when she told me just what I had already figured. She had no intention of paying me and was hoping I'd just give up.
I told her then that I had to collect or I would have to take her to court. That's when she got all huffy and asked, "You would take me to court over just a hundred and seventeen dollars?" She continued, "It will cost you more than you'll get!"
I told her, "Yes, Mam. But it' not fair to my customers who DO pay me."
Begrudgingly, she wrote me a check.
But that's the thing. Yes, we would be better off just to forget some of these non payments, but it's not fair for the ones who do pay. They are paying us in good faith that we're not making up someone else's slack on them.