Never Buy Paint Samples Before Your Customer Actually Owns Property

[Cal]

Well, just when I think I've experienced everything, another lesson learned. Went on an interior paint quote just before Thanksgiving in Castle Rock CO. New potential buyers signed contract, and faxed over paint colors to sample, for me to have mixed up before they closed, so on day of closing we could come in and test them, to proceed the very next day.
Well, they did not close, saying that these 4 gallons are not theirs, not authorizing me to have mixed them up being a Bald Face Lie. Not in the business to buy gallons of paint for nothing, I have told potential (glad they are not my interior painting customer) taking to small claims court.

Over a measly $124.45, just think how hard it would be getting over $5000.00 from them

Another lesson learned, will not start doing anything for anyone until they actually close on the home, as I suppose their signature of my contract means nothing?

[Jason@API]

Are you going to small claims court over $124.45?

I know 124 is a loss but would you spend more money and time in court than the loss of that amount?

And what are you doing mixing "gallons" instead of quarts for samples?

[Cal]

(12-16-2011 12:19 PM)Jason@API Wrote:  Are you going to small claims court over $124.45?

I know 124 is a loss but would you spend more money and time in court than the loss of that amount?

And what are you doing mixing "gallons" instead of quarts for samples?

Good Points J~
Yes J, 124 is indeed minimal in comparison to time, and what really confuses me is potential buyer of home said he would get his attorney...OVER THAT? well, Fight is On~

After phone conversation: Text Amanda D. in Castle Rock~
My text to them reads
"Wil file small claims not wantn ur paint ive purc of samples $124.45 and getn this for u, glad this is far as it went, not wishn to work for u n future"

Normally do mix qts, but they wanted Zero VOC egg, and could not get in smaller quantities for same sheen.

[Jason@API]

Be sure you have some form of written document either fax or email that states they wanted the paint mixed up and ready for a said date. Otherwise it could make you look like you jumped the gun. A signed contract IMO doesn't qualify as a reason to start mixing paint. But I hear ya, especially if they signed the contract and sent colors for you to start getting the paint ready. Just have all your emails ready for some form of documentation that shows the progression up to the cancellation. Good luck with that.

[Cal]

(12-16-2011 03:14 PM)Jason@API Wrote:  Be sure you have some form of written document either fax or email that states they wanted the paint mixed up and ready for a said date. Otherwise it could make you look like you jumped the gun. A signed contract IMO doesn't qualify as a reason to start mixing paint. But I hear ya, especially if they signed the contract and sent colors for you to start getting the paint ready. Just have all your emails ready for some form of documentation that shows the progression up to the cancellation. Good luck with that.

Absolutely right J. & yea they faxed over colors to get mixed, verbally telling me to have samples ready on closing. I told them would not have complete order mixed just in case something fell through, but they were quite confident nothing would be getting in the way. Days proceeding not closing, told them had samples ready, and they said fine, going through another bank, & would let me know when to get started. Have several text messages back and forth saved on phone lol

[EthanJoshua]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing this.

[crismacana]

What happened to their signatures? Was it meaningless?