Avoid Ferdinand Furniture

[Gary Silverstein]

Hi Tom -

Go get 'em!

Gary

Thomas,
It has been a while since I logged in to see what the IAAP was up to. So when I got this email to view this post I thought I'd better read it. It all sound so familiar. I have had a few situations similar to this, perhaps not as significant in the big picture but none the less important to me and the success of my business.
So here is what I have to say.
First of all good luck with your law suite!
I have never had a situation turn bad like this to the point where I had to decide weather or not to take a client to court. I have been a fairly good practitioner of my profession as well as a business man. I do not make as much money as many perhaps but I'm very content with the volume of business I have and the relationships I have made as well as the reputation I have earned. Yes, I have had a few scum bags successfully beat me up but I have recovered and moved on to better things. This is the point I want to make. You can spend a lot of time and money trying to collect on situations that seem outrageous only to find someone has a little deeper pockets and the ability to bend the rules in their favor just to prove a point! I believe that you have a very good opportunity here and you should pursue it but it reminds me of a friend of mine who's name I will not mention but his court case was a landmark decision at the supreme level. It cost him his marriage along with about four years of his life. Even thought he had the biggest attorney's in the country defending his rights and privileges it cost him way to much in the end and I don't think the end result was as big a benefit to him as it should have been. It may have established "IN CONCRETE" the copyright laws that we all feel bound to uphold but the law is a double edge sword. It can giveth and it can taketh in a single swipe, so be prepared as you face this client for the potential outcome good or bad.
Take care and good luck!
SP

[Thomas Bliss]

Originally Posted by Scott Pease

Thomas,

be prepared as you face this client for the potential outcome good or bad.
Take care and good luck!
SP

Thanks Scott,

I am prepared come good or bad. My family is ready, I'm ready. Not much cash will be spent as I have found a great attorney who will work on contingency.

As I said before, this has happened to me before and I laid down and took it. But not this time. This is for me, and this is for you, and the whole IAAP membership.

I have nothing to lose, and everything to lose.. But I'll be fine either-way.

Again I thank you all for your comments, it has been very uplifting.

And to break from my usual decorum... Yes, I plan on kicking some ASS!

Tom

[R2 Photography]

Good for you Thomas... thank you for taking the stand and being a good example to all of us... standing up for what is right! It isn't going to be easy, but, you're not alone...we're all behind you! Keep us posted on developments!

--Kimberly
r2-photography.com

[gaszton]

Hi Thomas,

I feel for you and cheer for you. You are doing the right thing. Thanks for taking a stand. Wish you the best of luck.

Gaszton

[ccarothers]

Thank you Thomas, for taking a stand. You have my best wishes as you embark on this process. I hope you have success in the case and in the rest of your business; and, most importantly, peace of mind.

Sincerely,

Cameron

[John Ray]

Tom,

Having been there myself, my small bit of advise would be to document document document - everything you can recall. Phone calls and conversations, print emails, meetings minutes, etc., etc.

During deposition and discovery you will be asked a multitude of questions on details of the relationship from the very beginning.

Don’t trust your memory – refer to the emails and notes to stay consistent. They are experts in getting the slant they want from the way the questions are worded.

It is never a pleasant experience – on either side of the lawsuit – but stay tough and true.

All the best to you my friend,
John Ray

John Ray Photography: Remodeling, Architectural & Interior Design Portfolios

[Thomas Bliss]

Well.....

They have flown the coop. Cant make contact, and the website is down http://ferdinandfurniture.com/, its been down long enough for the error page to be seen in google search of Ferdinand Furniture

Oh well....

[Andrew Doran]

I wouldn't give up that easily! They don't have to be around for you to sue them, you just have to find them long enough to serve papers.

[Jorge Elias]

I second Andrew's feelings. Going after this kind of people does require a lot of energy and time, but the alternative is to forever be at the mercy of unethical "clients". This is the good fight and, if nothing else, I think all here at IAAP stand behind you.

Jorge

[Thomas Bliss]

Originally Posted by Thomas Bliss

Well.....

They have flown the coop. Cant make contact, and the website is down Ferdinand exclusive furniture, its been down long enough for the error page to be seen in google search of Ferdinand Furniture

Oh well....

Wow, they got the site back up just today. But I get all missing image icons. Im not giving up at all, its just that they are moving around, and being very hard to serve. We will get them however.

[MossPhotography]

Now you can't even get into the site unless you sign up and provide some personal information.

~V~

[Thomas Bliss]

Originally Posted by MossPhotography

Now you can't even get into the site unless you sign up and provide some personal information.

~V~

I still just see a bunch of broken image icons

[Andrew Doran]

I find some of the information on their website terms and conditions page entertaining in a contradictory sort of way. Especially the Intellectual Property part!

Ferdinand exclusive furniture

-A

[MossPhotography]

I noticed that too. It seems it is an "after the fact" CYA additional to their website.

~V~