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[quote=Anonymous]PP here with the small claims court story....

I don't think I'd get a lawyer at all....not for relatively small amounts. They can really eat up a lot in legal fees, and I've settled matters on my own without them. (That's not saying lawyers aren't the way to go when you're talking big bucks, but anything in the four-figures, handle on your own.) As another example, a major store made a BIG error that caused me a loss of time from work, a lot of aggravation, and $8,000 to correct. I told the store manager that I wanted $8,000 back, and he told me I was responsible for the situation, as well. I didn't agree, wrote a letter to the CEO (did NOT hire an attorney) outlining the store's incompetence and all my suffering.THEIR attorney called me and said the best they could do was $7,000, and I took it.

Moral: I wouldn't bother with an attorney for $9,000. Just keep sending out bills and phoning them, take note of the dates of your collection efforts, and tell them - in writing - that you are keeping record of your collection activities in the event you go to court. (Don't tell them until the 3rd follow-up bill, so you don't introduce a threat too early.) Do it for three months, at least. Then file in small claims court.

One question you might research in your jurisdiction: If there are three bills for three different projects, and none are more than the maximum small claims court limit, but together they exceed it, can you divvy up the "unpaid projects" as separate matters and file separate claims?

NOTE: Obviously I'm not a lawyer, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I'm just letting you know what I did.[/quote]

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