The Lowest of the Low

It is very sad when lessons are learnt the hard way. Trust has always been a major factor in my business dealings right from day one. Deals used to be secured on the shake of a hand and one's word was one's bond. I guess I must have been luckier than the average because that trust has not been abused to date - well, until vey recently.

I was approached by a potential Client looking for me to assist in developing their business. Could I help? Indeed I could and I explained what I could do and told them my (very modest) fee. This was agreed and a meeting was set up. I spent a considerable amount of time (over a weekend, to boot!) doing my research, getting my head around their business, putting myself in their shoes, analysing what they were currently doing.........the groundwork. I produced a report and then spent a total of 8 hours in the car driving to and from our meeting and two hours with the 'client' discussing my views. When I presented my invoice, I was told that they had no intention of paying it - they didn't feel that I had told them anything they did not already know. I was floored! Disgusted! Appalled! It was also apparent that this was not the case.

When bills get overlooked or payment is delayed because of genuine cash flow issues, that is one thing.

I can, of course, take the individual to court - does any business want court proceedings registered against them? I would have thought not. However, this all takes time (which could be better spent on other worthwhile Clients), money (the thought is - am I throwing good money after bad?) and it rankles.

What is has done, is make me review the manner in which I do business in future and that goes against the grain.
However, in this climate it would appear that protecting our position in business is increasingly important.

What a very sad reflection.