Yesterday someone I know posted a tweet saying something along the lines of “it’d be great if you could pay me the money you owe xxx“. It was a spooky coincidence as just hours before I’d been chatting with a friend who had threatened/offered to publicise on social media that a very well known job board’s agency hadn’t paid his bill. It led to me asking the question: Is it ok to use social media to “out” companies that owe you money once you’ve exhausted all other avenues? (this is the poll I created on LinkedIn).
Then another friend sent me a DM saying about a recruitment software provider who had refused to pay his invoice. What was interesting about that is that the same business had messed me about on invoicing in the past. If that information had been shared by him previously I would have probably set firmer terms or demanded payment up front with that supplier.
Finally, just now I’ve seen this on LinkedIn
It’s not quite the same – but is that what would happen if we all started sharing every experience of slow payment, bad debt, rescinding on agreements? Would love your thoughts here and/or on the Poll
** update **
22nd April – on Friday @VixJones sent me a link to an article on the BBC website about a freelancer who is facing legal action over her public outing of a non paying client: Lesley Kemp faces libel suit over Twitter comments. I’m now following Lesley on twitter and will be watching this with interest.
Conversely, I reckon companies that pay promptly should get the credit for it.
Totally agree Stephen. We’ve got loads of good payers but CV Library spring to mind as the most consistent at paying up on time!
It depends on so many factors. Like if they’ve consistently promised to pay but don’t. And if it’s you who were the client rather than the supplier and didn’t get your deposit back after the supplier failed to deliver. And by deliver, I mean deliver anything.
In those situations is it the main aim to get the money back or to warn others? With my “friend” and the job board agency his main aim was to embarrass them into paying the money back.
It’s ok to express an opinion about a product or service but to go the “outing” route on a specific legal dispute risks creating a loose pattern of behaviour that will inevitably lead to ethical companies being damaged by idiots.
I think the tweet of the lady who is being sued for libel has to be seen in proper context. The frustration and difficulties caused by a late payer were not inconsiderable. So, probably not wise as a rule to name people but it happens. Certainly it is not libel to complain and definitely outrageous to sue for libel.
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