HP/Compaq - 'Our Reasons are CONFIDENTIAL'

[SyberBitch]

Syber, even though I was insured and inc'd I had my customers sign a hold harmless agreement. I had pony rides for awhile and those I contracted to do rides on a regular basis made me sign the same and vice versa.

I also had those paying 'per ride' for their kid sign the form as well. (this was due to the new laws regarding lawsuits that I helped get enacted here in NJ) but it honestly didn't' matter if these were signed, legal and agreed upon by all parties involved. I found they are totally useless and you can be sued regardless.

Yeah, I know I CAN be sued, but the question is, how likely are they to win? It's true, I'm operating in a danger zone, (though not as dangerous as giving pony rides!) but honestly if they DID sue me and win... they couldn't get much. I don't own a house or property, most of my cash is tied up in the business. I don't have much for them to take, really, and what I DO have is necessary for the operation of my business. Still, I probably will try to get under an LLC within the next year.

WVA cannot be more litigious than NJ! No way. I was nervous every time I had to go work.

Oh no, people here rarely sue each other (which is in my favor of course). It costs too much and they are typically lazy fuckers anyway, especially the ones who turn out to be 'bad customers'. I hope I'm not jinxing myself here. What I was saying though, is that LLCs have become more expensive to set up here than Corporations. I'm feeling motivated to look into it again though.

[SyberBitch]

I'm considering contacting the Better Business Bureau and all that.

People call the BBB on us all the time for ridiculous shit, we have some real wacko customers lol. Anyway, send the BBB a letter and they will forward it to HP. If HP does not respond indicating their posistion then they will be listed as a failure to provide a response to a customer complaint and the BBB will give you a list of other agencies that may be of assistance.

Hey, cool! Thanks for the tip, Sally.

[The Antagonist]

Sally would know better than me but I'm pretty sure the BBB can't do much unless the business is actually listed with them. At least when I was still married and we had our fence company that was the case. We found that out when applying for BBB membership. I'd do it anyway though.

Syber, I incorporated myself, no lawyers. You can call your township and get the proper info on how to do that and NOLO.com should have forms for you. Legalzoom.com does this stuff dirt cheap too! I think you can get an LLC for under $200 on that site.

I'm not trying to push you into anything you aren't ready to do, just letting you know my experiences with this kind of stuff so you know what you're in for or what to look for - you know what I mean.

As for anyone not getting anything out of you if you have nothing - bullshit! They can put a lein on anything you own -home, business - anything of any monetary value. Although your business isn't as risky as mine was, it's really not worth it if someone were to become slick and say you electrocuted him or some stupid shit. You'd be surprised what people here sue for - it can't be much different than anyplace else.

[sally]

The BBB can't do much, but at least they might get a better response out of them.

We have a roofing and construction buisness so of course we had to become incorperated. We also have to have workmans comp, general liability, and commercial auto liability which some asshole is suing us for $200,000. right now. I don't think your computer buisness is that involved or as risky, but you'll probally want to become incorperated eventually.

I have to record liens all the time for non payment from customers. You have 45 days from the date of the first day on the job to send a notice to owner. If you don't get a response than you have 90 days to record the claim of lien and than a year to hire a lawyer and foreclose. I'm not sure if it would work the same way if a customer was suing you, but I don't think you're in much danger of it with the nature of your buisness.