Re: Billing Problems with Corporate Client

["George F. Hayhoe" <george -at- GHAYHOE -dot- COM>]

Eric and Deborah Ray's story reminded me of an experience I had a
while back.

I received an RFP from a former employer but decided not to bid
because of the time required to prepare the proposal and the low
probability of work resulting from the proposal. Then I received
a call from a larger company inviting me to partner with them on
a response to the RFP. They included my resume and those of two
of my associates in their proposal; all I needed to do was attend
the bidders' conference and write a short section of their
proposal--maybe 16 hours' investment of time, total.

Our proposal won, but then my "partner" turned around and
required much of the same type of documentation from me that Eric
and Deborah's temp agency wanted from them--most notably proof of
liability insurance that would have cost me $2,400 per year, but
with no guarantee that any of the work that might be awarded as a
result of the contract would ever go to me. The customer did not
require proof of liability insurance from small businesses; that
was purely my so-called partner's requirement.

It seems that my "partner" was interested only in reducing the
competition for the contract and/or trading on my name in hopes
of impressing my former employer. In any case, I learned a
lesson. I no longer enter into any kind of business relationship
without insisting that all details be put in writing and having
the contract reviewed by my attorney who is a specialist in
contract law.

--George Hayhoe (george -at- ghayhoe -dot- com)

George Hayhoe Associates
Voice: +1 (803) 642-2156
Fax: +1 (803) 642-9325
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