Folk's true color - always interesting
 

Thought I'd share. FWIW I initially had a "what a jerk" reaction but then shrugged it off.

So, with (high school) Senior Ball time upon us (now past actually), I ended up coordinating transportation and dinner for the young ladies and gents, my own being one of the former. I spent a decent amount of time talking to various livery companies, finding suitable place for dinner. You know, sort of playing admin.

I kept the other parents informed of details, the what, the cost, etc. I myself dislike surprises.

At least the livery service had to be prepaid. When it came time to pony up, it got "interesting". The majority of the parents paid up promptly; I had prepaid and sent everyone a copy of the receipt. A small number need not 1 or 2, but multiple reminders to pay their fair share. One dad, who is reasonably high ranking at a company that had a pretty successful IPO a while back didn't respond and finally sent me a post-dated paper check - post-dated well past the date of the Senior Ball. I've met the guy once or twice; he comes across as very status conscious - "hoity toity" would be one way to describe him.

What a pr!ck I thought to myself. IDK what his problem was - that I was trying to scam a bunch of parents or just a way of showing that he "calls the shots".

Sorry to vent. I moved on.

I think say nothing to him, but mention it conversationally to others.

And exclude him from any future invitations.

My wife just organized a church retreat involving about 50 people or so.
Before the weekend, she was frazzled 3 or 4 hadn't paid.
She called the minister. "3 or 4???" he said "That's GREAT!!!"
Evidently it had been about 40% in the past.
We just got back from this weekend. Everything turned out great. I'm very proud of my wife for stepping up to something like this. Lot's of moving parts. She's a better person than I! :)

It's always been my experience - especially all the many years i was in the landscaping business (and still am to a lesser degree) that the "status" folks are the always cheap ones.

I could tell you stories.

This week I get an extra $30 tip from one of my monthly's - same ones who always include a generous Christmas bonus.

I do as much as I can for all clients but guess who I always bust my butt for - yep.....

I live in a neighborhood where people hate you. It has a reputation- Paul has dropped some comments in the past. It is pretty common.

There are some wealthy folks. Some above average folks. And, if course, some poor folks.

It is funny to see people who act all rich and such being total flakes. It happens. I am typically a bit amused.

I work at a small private school on the business admin side. The woman who does the fundraising emailed me last week. One of the long time parents had committed to be one of the last auction sponsors. I think it's a $1,000 ticket. She can't get him to pay. I said good luck, I wouldn't count on seeing the money. This guy lives large but I've had to hound him to pay tuition. He's also been convicted of insurance fraud in the past. My guess is his financial life behind the scenes of his big house and expensive new cars is a mess.

Our neighborhood is a upper scale nice neighborhood. We have annual neighborhood association dues for the maintenance of the green areas lawns, some garden areas at the entrance, and for the sprinkler system to keep things alive. $250 per year. We even let them make it in two payments. Most people like myself, just write a single check.

We have several people that refuse to pay, and have gone years behind. It is part of the covenant, everyone that buys a house has to sign. One house was nearly 20 years behind when they went to sell. Guess what, we got our money at the closing. A separate check from the closing company paid by the sellers, deducted from the sale price. I hope they were looking at the sale price and saw that nice deduction. The free ride was over.

People are odd with money.

They will buy a $100k impractical car they will drive twice a year and then balk at the $150 third cup holder option. Or buy a third vacation home and argue with the waiter about a drink price clearly listed on the menu. In some ways that is a good thing because they maintain the standard for everyone else without discretionary funds and it keeps companies honest. (lol it then just gets folded into the initial price). In other ways they can be annoying to everyone who deals with them on the ladder. Penny wise, pound foolish.

I rented a decent apartment to a guy at a gift price for the area who kept telling me I was the greatest landlord loved the place and we were besties blah blah ad nauseum. Nice guy delicate soul doing good things in the world. He probably saved ten grand renting from me, my money. Long story short he got a new girlfriend that hissed at me when I reminded her not to park in my spot the second time. Best of luck to him. Then on move-out he got seriously pissed when he mistakenly believed his security deposit was supposed to be a few hundred more. Bit my hand good. No good deed goes unpunished sometimes.

Some people get a 'high' getting something for free or getting over other people. It doesn't matter the amount. It was owed to them through almighty providential karma. That is the battleground. They will only relent and contribute their honest fair share after fingernails are pulled. Get it in writing and CYA. Talk of administrate and collection fees. Send a group letter thanking those who paid and publicly shame who haven't yet. Whatever. F' those people.

This is just a rehash of the old saying with a slightly different twist.
"Money talks, BS walks."
I am totally put off WRT to money and people.

Several years ago while stationed in Hawaii, the bosses tasked me with planning an event that culminated in a picnic. I sent out the notice to everyone re: the event, timeline, stuff, etc AND how much each person needed to pony up for the food. It wasn't optional.

One of my peers (field grade officer) still hadn't paid on the day of event. This MF'er was literally checking out the spread before he decided to buy in. He was stiff arming the people working for me that were collecting.

I went up to him and demanded the money and told him in no uncertain terms that it a. wasn't optional, and b. that as a Major he needed to get his CACA together.

A few months later he ended up in some huge trouble, and I do mean huge. Then within the year another investigation into further misconduct. None of us were surprised.

You should have mobile deposited it on the spot.

As far as banks are concerned there is no thing as post dating a check.

It's a payment instrument that is supposed to be valid from the moment it is presented.

Banks won't look at it and say "oh, we have to wait X days to process this".

Not how any of that works.

If it bounced it costs both of you some money but you can always plead your case with your institution and if you are a valued customer they'll most likely waive it and he learns a lesson.