I've been in customer service a long time, and I've dealt with sucky customers, and sucky employers, but never in my life have a dealt with such a back-biting snake in the grass as the one I worked with this summer. The following E-mail chain details the events as the unfolded within 24 hours at the end of a 7-month stint working for the most ungrateful person that I have ever seen.
DISCLAIMER: The chain of events is copied directly from E-mails sent between myself and the owner of Rave's in Denver. None of the information on this page was altered in any way, except for opinion notes (shown in yellow parentheses), any cussing, all names have been reduced to initials, and any sensitive information has been deleted. Why am I posting this information here? Some may say this is "over the top" - that is fine - it is your opinion. If you don't want to read, there are other pages to see. If you are curious, however.....then read on, true believer!
From: ShockQueen
Date: Friday, November 01, 2002 7:40:49 PM
To: R
Subject: Re: Sat & settling account
Hi R.....
I do apologize, but some things have come up, and I won't be able to make it in on Saturday, so Wednesday would be considered to be my last day at the store. I'm sorry about the short notice, but I had business that could not be put off any longer. I am not upset with you, despite what I may have thought about what you said on the phone Wednesday night. I agree that I was probably out of line in making such an assumption regarding V, however, the day previous, she did show up, and the business was dead-dog slow. Keeping that in mind, V& I discussed on the phone whether it was worth it to her or not to trek across town, given the weather conditions, to come in if it was going to poop out again. From what I gathered on Tuesday, I don't think she was very happy about coming all the way down just to hang about the store (even after straightening all the stuff up) until 6pm. I still think we did rather well for the day, all things considered. G was a very sharp man that day, spotted the people about the cane, and was my "right-hand man" during that time. He is definitely an asset as well, as you already know. I'm sure he's gonna make a fine find for an employer someday.
You do run a fine business, don't get me wrong, and I would never tell you how to run things. I only made a decision based on what I witnessed from the day before, and did not want to repeat the same thing.
I just need to know where I stand on my account with the store right now, so I know how to plan accordingly. Also, we need to figure out how much the website work is worth, as no new photos have been submitted, so the site content is pretty much done. The pages are functioning normally, the order page is working as it should (btw, there is an order waiting for you), and the E-mail accounts are working correctly.
I have been doing some research on the web as far as what people charge for web development services, and these are what I have found so far:
http://www.smartwebby.com - $12.00/hour
http://www.seadogdesigns.com - $70/hour ($40/hour for non-profit orgs)
http://www.strategygames.net/SlapsWebDesigns/WebsiteRates.htm - $125 for 3 pages, $25 each additional page. Scanned graphics (10+ pictures - $5 each)
http://www.historichwy49.com/webrate.html - $325, but that is only for 2 pages
http://www.morabs.ca/cms/web.htm - $100 per page, which includes 1 photo per page - each additional is $5 extra each.
I have also contacted some web developers who say they charge between $12-75/hour for development work, so this is the information I am working with.
The site was started March 22, 2002 - as that is the date of the verification of the domain being active and placed on the website. I figure I have spent, bare minimum, of between 150-200 hours of development time putting together the pages, scanning images, retouching, and uploading the files.
Before going further, take a look at the site in total, and have a thought as to what you think it is worth.
For hypothetical sake, let's say the work was being compensated at the store work rate of $8.00/hour, which was agreed upon for in-store work. Then, calculate that by the number of hours that have been logged (keep in mind that the site has been going for 9 months now, so there have been updates and changes done during that time, including site maintenance). I figure bare minimum 150 hours is fair considering all of what is involved in maintaning a professional-looking site.
Just with those calculations, that comes out to $1200.00. Also, I have taken into account that you did pay for your own domain ($35.00) and the site space ($275.00) for the year, so I just need to know what you think is fair from your perspective and then we can go from there.
Thanks!
<SQ>
From: R
Date: Friday, November 01, 2002 11:02:07 PM
To: ShockQueen
Subject: Re: Sat & settling account
J...you are out of your f***-in mind if you think I am going to pay THAT much for a web page, that WAS NOT done by a "professional" web builder. that does not generate business (actually, it did, but she'll never admit it), that is not complete (it was complete as far as the images I was supplied with goes), that YOU changed constantly (without me asking you to) because YOU wanted all the bells and whistles, or thought it would look better, that you also worked on at the store. etc, etc. you said yourself that YOU never kept track of how many hours you worked on it. How responsible was that of YOU knowing you were going to bill me. I told you I was not going to pay a big a** bill. the ORIGINAL quote was 200-300 dollars. because YOU wanted to help p[promote the store. I've made two orders and have ALSO talked to professional web builders who it is there job when hired to put the right tags out there to generate business. it's obvious to me that if you were a professional web builder then that is what you would be doing full time. just because you have "worked on the computer for 20 od years" and built your own web page (which lots of people do) does NOT MAKE YOU A PROFESSIONAL WEB BUILDER who can charge those rates. as for Wednesday...well you royally f***** up. you had the sense to call me a dozen times for small shit but not have the good sense to call me about one of MY scheduled employees, who works in MY STORE. it is MY DECISION if someone is to go home. you ended up busy, but you are NOT a salesperson. V is. you managed to get through the day. I would have made much more money if she had worked like I had scheduled her to. G was NOT scheduled to work. why you felt you had the authority to tell her to stay home is beyond me. I do not understand how you expect me to pay you for "work" done at the store when V said on Tuesday all you did was follow her around talking to her while SHE worked and just talk to her about the corset you were gonna get from me. I'm to be expected to pay you $8.00hr for that? and YOUR being taken advantage of? please...I appreciate you working for me when I had to go to California. but remember you didn't do that for free. all along you have gotten the things you wanted from the store. even though you could have gotten cash and at times did, you would rather take trade. don't you think that is a-little irresponsible and selfish of someone who supposably wants to buy a house? and has a family. here you are going off to work at the store on Saturday and some times more often, not for extra money for your family to get ahead...no for clothing and shoes for YOU. don't you think that priorities should be the family? or possibly getting your teeth fixed. don't you care how that looks? what kind of hi-gene example does that set for the kids? at times J, you seem to be stuck in the 80's and refusing to grow up. you are older than D is and have basically nothing to show for it. no house, bad credit, barley making ends meet. having to ask for money for kids school supply's, or to get through the week. but you sure still want your things don't you? don't you think a $400 custom corset is a really foolish purchase right now? what does s really think about this. I bet she would rather all the money is store credit go to bills or a savings account. speaking of savings accounts, do you have one? do you have any money in a 401k.? life insurance? etc. you have a family J. two kids (that you chose to have and support) and a wife. who I like and don't understand how she is ok with not owning a house at your ages. start thinking about them and grow up,it's harsh, and I'm sorry if this hurts your feelings (uh-huh...yeah, right) , but everyone sees this but you. D and I discussed how you want to buy a house, and we don't see it ever happening for you with your current attitude about money and you current set of priorities. we had screwed up credit and didn't make allot of money at one time too. but when you get in your late 20's you pull your head out of your ass and you start making life decisions. we got out of debt, have great credit, own two properties and a business. we did all that in just 6 years! we got our priorities straight. so if you feel now that you can stick me with a 1200,00 bill you are very much mistaken (See? There she goes spouting about that hypothetical I gave her again, taking it as fact). I'm not gonna screw you either. remember I was there for you as much as you were for me. so, tomorrow you can drop off the keys and I will send you a check for the hours you have worked minus the house you didn't "work"- and pay what I feel is a fair price for an incomplete, and ill effective web site (knowing her, it would have bounced to the moon and back). I will expect all the info and any store pictures on the web site and all the contacts as far as host, etc. to be delivered with the keys, if I don't get those things, thats fine, the web site is NOT important to be and I would just as soon let it shut down. but I will then not pay for it either without that info. its up to you. I'm sorry you force me to play hardball. but im sure you know me well enough not to think i would just roll over on that either. after all you still have over $700 of my furniture at your house. and I'm not taking in to account the money I lost wed, by not having V at the store. I would have made $5000.00 that day. which is what I was expecting based on last years totals (she must have Miss Cleo working for her now. Last I heard, the economy sucks right now). I hope you actually think about all I have said J and get your priorities straight.
From: ShockQueen
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 2:16:32 AM
To: R
Subject: Re: Sat & settling account
I seriously doubt that it would have resulted in five thousand dollars worth of business that day, but hey....I'm not going to argue. You're the one with the lofty goals, considering the economy at this time, and thinking you'll always do better than last year. WAKE UP....it doesn't happen by magic. And....also notice that I was giving a HYPOTHETICAL statement, not factual one, and I DID ASK YOUR OPINION WHAT WAS FAIR, so don't go flying off half-cocked on me!
To quote from my original E-mail, which I bet you didn't read half of:
For hypothetical sake, let's say the work was being compensated at the store work rate of $8.00/hour, which was agreed upon for in-store work.
enquote
YOU were the one who griped and moaned if I took home more than one thing every few weeks, even though you knew D*** GOOD AND WELL that I had the credit on my account. I saw the data, so you cannot deny that. Also, I DO have life insurance, AND am getting into a 401K plan with (company), who is also in process of merging with (another company, so as you can see, I DO have some direction in my life, and with a SOLID company with unlimited potential. THIS is what I am going to school for - to enhance my life!
Personal attacks? I guess I should have expected as much from you, as I did not attack in you in such manner. Such attacks are unwarranted, unprofessional, and unnecessary - yet you seem to take pride in such things. Besides, my personal affairs are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, so please BUTT OUT of it. When we are ready to move into our house, it will not be through any recommendation by you or your husband. Since you seem to like jabs, let me just point out this. Doing customer service means BEING THERE FOR THE CUSTOMER and to ASSIST them in what they want - not ramming it down their throat every second they are in the store. That only causes a reverse reaction, and for people NOT to want to come back. I have been in customer service for over FIFTEEN years, so do not even think that I don't know what I'm talking about there.
As far as the pictures on the website go, you can just go and save them yourself. All you have to do is right-click on the image, and select 'save as' (anyone can do this, all it takes is effort). I'm not using any of my CD's for you.
So here is how it is going to be. You are hereby service official notice via this E-mail, which a copy is saved for my records, that the site is to be paid in the amount of $300.00, as well as any remaining credit owed from working the store, which according to my records, is broken down thus:
Credit before **** Coat & sandals were brought home: $***.**
**** coat: $***.**
Clear Sandals: $**.**
(quoting from YOUR retail prices)
Subtotal: $***.**
Hours worked the previous Saturday : $**.**
Hours worked Tuesday, 10/29 : $**.**
Hours worked Wednesday, 10/30 : $**.**
Total for store hours worked: $***.**
Plus website work: $***.**
Total: $***.**
This payment is expected to be sent via US Postal mail and received within 10 business days from today's date (11/1/02). Once payment is received, the information regarding website access (logins/passwords/contact info) will be E-mailed to you at (her personal E-mail address), as it is not necessary to deliver this in person. This can be used by whatever party you wish to have redesign your site, so they will have access to the data on the remote servers. I will then deliver the bookcases and the store key to the store to either a neutral 3rd party (without you present), or I will drop them off at night after you have left - your choice. I do not wish to speak to you, or see you in person at this time. I have not screwed you over thus far in regards to the store, and have no intentions of ever doing so. Don't even insist that I bring them directly to you, as that will not happen - that much I can guarantee. I at least have my ethics, which is more than I can say than some of the past associates you have had working for you. Guess I was raised right after all. Too bad you can only see threats in the shadows and refuse to see the good in people anymore. It's a shame that you have to live with such suspicion in your life.
You wished for a site to be built, which was done. Whether it generates business or not is outside of yours, mine, or anyone else's control - it is up to the people who choose to look at your site. By the way, the right tags WERE PUT on your site, as they were showing up in the TOP FIVE results on sites such as www.google.com and www.hotbot.com, and I have been building sites for others including myself for the better part of TEN YEARS (read that...YEARS).
Just because you were a hot-shot P.I. for 14 years, and knew security for (name of company) does not make you the be-all end-all authority on how proficient someone is at what they specialize in - she who couldn't fix a problem in Windows if her life depended on it - give me a freaking break!
OH, and by the way....I didn't call you on EVERY single transaction since I know you were sick, and was trying to call as little as possible because I actually wanted you to get better, and not have to worry about such things. Have I screwed you over ONCE while working in the store thus far? NO! Look....I know you've had it rough, and you're used to everyone in your life playing you for the fool, but you know what....I have been ON YOUR SIDE through ALL OF IT - until now. YOU chose to end things this way, NOT me. Our original arrangement (if you choose to remember it) was that YOU, yes YOU wanted to compensate me in ONLY merchandise, and it was agreed that it was the way things were to be. Gee...how soon we forget such pleasant arrangements. Next thing I know, you'll probably 1099 my a** like you did with L (yes, I still remember that little maneuver you pulled JUST TO GET EVEN WITH HIM). Remember, you are the one who willfully, day after day, allows an UNDERAGE MINOR to WORK in your store. Ever hear of CHILD LABOR LAWS? YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW!
And another thing....until the money is delivered, do NOT come to my residence, and do NOT call me at work, for I WILL call the police and file harrassment charges against you so fast your head will spin. I know your capabilities, and at this time perceive you as a very dangerous threat and as thus am informing you to not even come around me anymore.
G& I worked our A**** OFF, pushed merchandise so hard I thought I was going to puke, and all you can do it B**** B**** B**** about how I F***ED UP. All you can do is go off half-cocked raging up a storm about how the world is unfair and everyone is out to get you, and the only way you can get back is to do personal attacks and claim no one has any direction in life but you. D even admitted to me that day outside the store that you guys bull**** the LOSS the store takes each month. Gee...if I ran my own business and saw it was going into a tailspin each month, I would fold up and find something else to do - not dump more money into it hoping magically it'll come to life on it's own.
I'm not going into the rest of the personal attacks you mentioned, as it's none of your F***ING BUSINESS, and you'd do well to remember that.
So, once you send the payment within 10 business days, and it CLEARS, THEN you will receive the information and property requested. Don't worry....it's in exactly the same shape as the day it was picked up from the store. If you want it dropped off at a neutral site, then fine - up to you, but I'm NOT trusting you to drop off the stuff first, and then expect payment. Do you really think I'm THAT stupid?
Keep in mind that the images you provided had S*** for backgrounds and required a LOT of touch-up work in order to make them even presentable for a site. I'd be ashamed to display the original images with torn butcher-paper backgrounds on ANY site, much less one for a business. Incomplete my A**. YOU were the one who was to deliver the images you wanted, so dont' even go blaming me if it doesn't have as much as you want on it. I can only work with the images I am given. I told you what was needed, and you were the one who kept putting it off and putting it off.
I have said what needed to be said. The ball is in your court now. Force you to play hardball - yeah, right. Give me a freakin' break.....
From: R
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 9:04:57 AM
To: ShockQueen
Subject: Re: Sat & settling account
1) I don't give a rats a** about the website. It's a crappy low rate job. Don't try to use the passcodes etc. as blackmail because I DONT GIVE A S*** ABOUT IT!
2) I am violating no child labor laws. G comes in when he wants and is NEVER forced to stay.(however, even having a minor conduct business transactions is technically against the law, and can be reported to the Child Labor Board)
3) yes I am going to 1099 your ass because you are an independant contractor.(there was no written agreement about any contract, so this theory is shot out of the water)
4) you talk very tough on the computer but are to scared to see me in person. what a puss.(no...just didn't want to get into an argument which would have resulted in her getting physical, and then having her butt kicked)
5) I am not attacking you personally. Every employee and LOTS of customers point out your terrible hygiene as far as breath, BO, unkept hair etc. As a business owner I would be remiss to not bring it to your attention. (this coming from someone who takes valiums and drinks wine coolers in her store while customer are around...oh pleez)
6) We give great customer service. In case you don't know, selling is different then "shoving things down peoples throats". We upsell the customer. That is how business' make money and survive.
7) We have tracked our business for 6 years. We know what we should be making. Your decision to tell Vicki not to come in cost me at least $1000. You based your decision to not have Vicki work on us sending you guys home the day before. I think 6 o'clock in the evening is quite a bit different than 2pm in the afternoon.
8) I agreed to pay a lump sum of 2 or 3 hundred for a completed website not some hourly fee that adds up to $1200. You told me several times that it wouldn't be expensive. If I wanted to spend tons of money I would have gotten a professional company to do it. That way I could write it off on taxes.
9) I expect you to be a mature person and either bring me the bookcases at the store or receive them as payment in full for your "services". You have $400 coming for "working" at the store and $750 worth of bookcases.(note: she gave me a choice here, so I decided I liked the furniture better - payment received)
10)I am sorry you wish to end things on an immature "I want a third party..." note. That is something I would expect from L. I WILL NOT read any more of your emails (she still does anyway, as later E-mails show). I will delete them without reading them. If you want to talk with me try being a man and calling or coming in.
11) In closing, I don't break any laws. Your knowledge of labor and tax laws couldn't fill a thimble. By the way, isn't having all those software programs that you stole illegal?
(this person doesn't know what she is talking about. I have never shoplifted any programs from any store)
From: ShockQueen
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 10:45:32 AM
To: R
Subject: Payment received - thank you
QUOTE:
9) I expect you to be a mature person and either bring
me the bookcases at the store or receive them as
payment in full for your "services". You have $400
coming for "working" at the store and $750 worth of
bookcases.
ENDQUOTE
Ah, a fair deal, considering all that has happened. Thank you for the furniture.
Here is the information requested. You stated this yourself, so I have this in my records. Have a nice life. It'll be interesting to see how you plan on filing a form 1099 when you don't even have my social security number. I bet you didn't think about that, did you?
Contact information for website: (information for site contact was provided in detail)
Login information for website: (provided detailed information)
Login information for domain name (domain of site): (domain login info provided)
Pages are currently loaded into the "public_html" folder on the remote server.
Account currently has "***** Shopping Cart" and "*********** Shopping Cart" available, although these functions did not fit the criteria needed for the flexibility the site required.
The order page is located on the '(site host's secure server location)' server, and currently the only access to this part of the server is to send the files you wish to load there to (site space contact), and they will load them onto the secure server for you.
From: R
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 11:36:34 AM
To: ShockQueen
Subject: Re: Payment received - thank you
hey a******, REMEMBER I was a P.I (ooo...let's crank up that "Magnum P.I. theme)I already have your ss# background checks only cost 25.00 and I did one on you long ago. you actually think I would give a key to the store with out doing one. think again. have fun paying the taxes. and thanks for taking yourself off the "cast" page. and what kind of web"master" f***in forgets to even have order info page on the (item page). there is no buy now tag on them. I guess I get what I pay for which is s***. you and your "family"
have a nice life. I sure found out what kind of "friend" you were.as far as the key to the store goes,...thats is a seperate issue and if it is NOT HERE by closing tonight (you can put it in the mail slot if you are too chickens*** to bring it in like a man) I will call the police and tell them it was stolen. which it will be. as well as tell them about a big black headress that is also missing from my store, which YOU had admired. so you better "do the right thing" and get me my key. if not...we shall see.(ooooOOOO....BLACKMAIL! How original!)
so f*** off and never come in my store again.
From: ShockQueen
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 12:11:22 PM
To: R
Subject: Re: Payment received - thank you
My my my....how we DO go on about such things. You know, if you wouldn't have started such inflammatory comments in your replies, this could have been settled amicably instead of going about things this way. If you'll remember in my first E-mail, I did not swear, stomp my feet, or throw a tantrum in any way - so why do you feel the need to say such things?
If you wish to file a form 1099, that is your business, as that seems to be your style. If you are filing that I was an employee, then I am requesting copies of the Social Security & Medicare taxes that were paid during the time in question. I am also requesting a copy of said form before Janurary 30, 2003, so I can file accordingly, and respond when filing taxes, which is required by all employers. I know this as I have worked for a great many of them. In my tax bracket, that won't affect me as much as you would like, so feel free if that is your bend. You're going to have to do some legwork on your end as well if you wish to do this act of retribution, which is all it is, and you know it. Perhaps the ending between you and Lou was not all his fault as you claim it was. I don't know for sure, as I was not there, and only heard one side of a story.
You cannot file a 1099 as an 'independent contractor' as there was no agreement that was drawn up IN WRITING and signed by both parties. Any court in the country would throw out such a claim.
QUOTE:
I will call the police and tell them it was stolen. which it will be. as well as tell them about a
big black headress that is also missing from my store, which YOU had admired. so you better "do the right thing" and get me my key. if not...we shall see.
ENQUOTE
If you remember, you stated that a number of the regular queens were also admiring the dustcatcher, so your claim is baseless and done out of spite. You'll get your key back, don't worry about that. Chicken....yeah, right. Any personal meeting at this point would not be able to be settled amicably, and would only inflame such a predicament, so rather than go that route, I choose not to see you in person. I have no intentions of keeping your key, as I at least have my dignity left, which is more than I can say for some.
From: R
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 3:31:36 PM
To: ShockQueen
Subject: Re: Payment received - thank you
well, how ignorant of you. "independent contractors" are responsible for all taxes, d*** head. I have a GREAT accountant and she has assured me there will be no problem (I don't recall any written agreement about any contract work here, ergo, I am not an independent contractor) . I have been in business along time honey, so I am used to people like you who are full of s*** spouting their mouths off about s*** they know NOTHING about (this is why I researched the issue before writing her). as for your rediculous behavior at the store. all I can say Is I rest my case. you prove what an idiot you truly are. trying to make me sign a receipt FOR MY OWN PROPERTY is a pathetic attempt to make yourself SEEM like you have
power over the situation. you don't. never had, never will. people like you are spineless pussies who never amount to a small hill of shit. take a good look at yourself in the mirror J, no teeth (healthy ones anyway) 70 lbs overweight, hair going everywhere , no decent clothes, except "womens" shoes, need I say more. no. so...you've known L as long as I have??really? I don't remember meeting you in California in 1990. I have been the one who gave you a digital camera to take on your vacation, 200 cash for that vacation, school supply's, food (which you took FULL advantage of. never once offering to pay for) and I am NOW the asshole. "I know how you are and how you treat people" really? well that didn't stop you from getting the things you wanted from the store did it. you selfish a******. and I will from now on surround myself with the people that are not fake wanna be's with no direction in there lives. as for you sticking up for L...what a joke .at the time remember you were gonna "kick his a** if I see him again" how funny. you sure changed your mind fast when it suits you. and you sure can TALK tough. as your walking out the door. flipping me off was a nice childish touch if I say so myself. what a p****. you were so scared when you walked in your face was WHITE!! (it was about 10 degrees outside, and NO...I was not scared)I about died laughing when you left. anyway, F and everyone else is right. get on with my life and leave the trash as in trailer, on the curb.
From: ShockQueen
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2002 5:18:58 PM
To: R
Subject: notice
You have said your piece, and I have said mine, so there is nothing more to be said. Do not E-mail me anymore, or I will forward such messages to the Yahoo abuse department as harrassment.
Quite a list of E-mails, huh? Well, needless to say, I obtained information from a source that has done payroll work for the US Navy for twenty years, and she has informed me that the person sending the E-mails cannot, by law, file a form 1099 under the title "independent contractor" as there is no written agreement signed by both parties. Also, this person knowingly allows a 14-year old minor to conduct business transactions in her store all the time, which is against child labor laws - or so last I read.
I have learned a few things that weekend. Not all people are as they seem to be. There are those that stand by you through thick and thin, and then there are those who will turn on you when you find out what they are like and start to show resistance of any sort. I have learned to watch my back, and learn that it is NOT OK to be taken advantage of. After all....there are better things to do in life than get stitches every time you are stabbed in the back. So if you want my opinion on that place after all that has happened.......
