I hate lawyers

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Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Originally posted by: kranky
Dear Mr. Lawyer:

I completely agree that it is not customary to bill for a lunch break. In fact, we do not. However, I'm sure you would agree that since our interpreter was not permitted to leave the courtroom, and since she continued to serve as your interpreter during that time, she earned and is entitled to the full fee for her services. Your previous correspondence stated that she was permitted to leave; the judge made it clear no one was permitted to do so.

I would have hoped you would have been pleased with the service provided considering the initial three-hour period of service you requested extended another three hours, including the lunch period, and our interpreter continued to provide service for the entiure duration with no complaint.

However, in the interest in fairness, please feel free to deduct the cost of pizza you purchased from the invoice. I believe that will make all parties whole.

Your letter was simply absurd and constituted a violation of Characteristics of People I Like Doing Business With, Section 4. Therefore, I trust you won't be too surprised if I never answer your calls again.

win
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: paulney
Originally posted by: mugs
Sell the unpaid balance to a collection agency.

I don't think they take cases without Small Claims court's decision in your favor.

they do in NY im 100% sure of that

my mom sends people to collection for not paying a 10$ copay LOL
 

RKS

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,824
3
81
I am a lawyer and deal with other lawyers who use our services.

I have had some argue for 30 minutes regarding a $4 fee (correctly assessed) on their invoices.

edit: While the legal field may draw more than its fair share of a$$holes, the general business community isn't far behind.
 

Xstatic1

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2006
8,982
50
86
Originally posted by: kranky
Dear Mr. Lawyer:

I completely agree that it is not customary to bill for a lunch break. In fact, we do not. However, I'm sure you would agree that since our interpreter was not permitted to leave the courtroom, and since she continued to serve as your interpreter during that time, she earned and is entitled to the full fee for her services. Your previous correspondence stated that she was permitted to leave; the judge made it clear no one was permitted to do so.

I would have hoped you would have been pleased with the service provided considering the initial three-hour period of service you requested extended another three hours, including the lunch period, and our interpreter continued to provide service for the entiure duration with no complaint.

However, in the interest in fairness, please feel free to deduct the cost of pizza you purchased from the invoice. I believe that will make all parties whole.

Your letter was simply absurd and constituted a violation of Characteristics of People I Like Doing Business With, Section 4. Therefore, I trust you won't be too surprised if I never answer your calls again.

:thumbsup::D
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
If she was not able to leave the area she was working in, that may not qualify as a lunch or any other kind of break.

This is the reason many companies require an employee not to eat at their desk.
 

dirtboy

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,745
1
81
Dear Lawyer,

You signed a valid contract for 3 hours of service that stated any extra time is billed at 15 minute increments. During this time you can have the interpreter interpret anythign you like, or do nothing. It is your time you are paying for; you use it as you see fit. If you have a problem with this, I suggest you take a course on contract law before signing any future contracts.

Should you use our services in the future, I suggest you give us an accurate amount of time upfront, because it is less expensive and unfair for our interpreter whom you held hostage for an additional 3 hours, which I believe under the law, since she was not allowed to leave the courtroom is called false imprisonment.

KTHXBYE.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
Originally posted by: paulney
Originally posted by: m0mentary
what a dick, but whats in the contract

The contract states that interpreter's time over 3 hours is billable in 15 min increments. Unfortunately we did not put in a specific provision for 'lunch breaks'. But geez - it's not like she could get up and leave and do her own stuff, although she very well could - she was only reserved for 3 hours.

We are going to pay her, of course, there is no question. But dammit, words just fail me.

Sounds like you need to hire a lawyer to write a better contract for you ;)


What courthouse was this in and and who was the judge?

MotionMan, Esq.
 

Safeway

Lifer
Jun 22, 2004
12,075
11
81
Originally posted by: dirtboy
Dear Lawyer,

You signed a valid contract for 3 hours of service that stated any extra time is billed at 15 minute increments. During this time you can have the interpreter interpret anythign you like, or do nothing. It is your time you are paying for; you use it as you see fit. If you have a problem with this, I suggest you take a course on contract law before signing any future contracts.

Should you use our services in the future, I suggest you give us an accurate amount of time upfront, because it is less expensive and unfair for our interpreter whom you held hostage for an additional 3 hours, which I believe under the law, since she was not allowed to leave the courtroom is called false imprisonment.

KTHXBYE.

dirtyboy!