Dammit, Jim, I'm an Engineer, Not a Fireman

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

One of the "whistle-stops" in my really colorful work history was as "Director of Information Services" (is that prestigious or what!) for an AUTOMOBILE DEALER.

Now there was a place with a lot of quirky policies on what to buy and not buy, what to pay and not pay.

The one policy that impressed me... and made my life in that position tolerable... was the idea that: "We can't live without the support of this vendor who sold us this battleship of a main frame, and constantly updates the software. Make sure they are paid properly, and adequately. We DON'T want them going out of business. We DON'T want to be at the bottom of the priority list on busy days when they have to decide who gets their calls returned and who doesn't."

 

[Studio1]

From my experience, it is the bean counters who dictate who gets paid and when.

The GM is based in the same building as the bean counter, so can be on his back every day demanding that he needs such and such, or "It's about time we had a new company car etc".

The engineer (myself) is not based in the same building, therefore does not have the advantage of being able to hammer the bean counter for new equipment every day.

The company car is parked right outside. When it starts leaking oil or looking a bit tatty, there's a lot of people looking at it and telling the bean counter that the station's image is slipping.

The main transmitter is hidden miles away in a building where no one (but us) dares venture. When it's looking a bit long in the tooth, the bean counter says "Just keep it going a little bit longer, we can't afford a new one".


As for stations not paying their power bill, I know of one station that was shut down (permanently) because they didn't pay their bill. The day the power guy came and pulled the feed was their last day on air.

 

[RadeoEngineer]

I did a one day facilities move for a traffic service and billed them $450. It took four months to get paid, which included numerous exchanges with their senior level people and a screaming "FU" phone call with their president, whose dinner I interrupted in NYC. I told him several times to STFU and just pay me or I'd go public with the issue. He offered a credit card over the phone and I told him I wasn't a GD ATM. I finally got paid, but I would never, ever work for these assclowns again.

 

[nocomradio]

I did a one day facilities move for a traffic service and billed them $450. It took four months to get paid,

Next time, demand (don't just ask for) a hefty deposit before any work even so much as begins. In the case of $450, I'd probably insist on full payment beforehand. Do it in writing and have everyone sign the agreement. At least your expenses will be covered. If they balk at that, they really don't need your services as badly as they say they do.

 

[kenglish]

I never did get paid by our former Sales Manager for climbing up on his slippery roof and putting in his TV antenna.
Looking back, I wonder if his Liability Insurance was paid up.