Express Building Services After completing two Architectural Projects they failed to pay- they stopped answering phones & pretending to always be out of office. They still owe $900 on one & $350 on the other New York United States

Hi my name is Anya Richardson, I have been a Freelance Architecural Designer for the past 8 years. I have worked on a number of Commercial, Residential, and Retail projects during that time- and contining. I have done work for major Firms, Companies, etc. nanmely (Aerotek, King Freeze, Rikes Associates, Griffen Architects, etc) and has never had a probelm with payment- or collecting payments except for when I work with these guys at Express Building- Shrugy and Joel Berkowitz. Work history you can also find @ (((link redacted)))

I have done numerous 20 unit and up Residential Buildings for this company. 4 years ago I rendered them the same services- Site-Measuring, Hand-Sketching entire buildings-  to the later Cad Rendition of the work for the final filing- Producing entire Floor Plans and 5 sheet Blueprints/ Construction Documents for this Company.  With every project according to how large or small I charge to suit. I always give my price upon reviewing the Site  & scope of work- and before producing the Plans, the price is agreed upon- and they we have a verbal sometimes emailed agreement of that number $$.  I generally worked with them- since 4 years ago when we started business- where my arrangement was to take a half of the job cost as a deposit guaranteeing our committment- and the second balance upon delivery of the job.  Since then sometimes they would give me the run-around and instead of emailing the finished Plans- I started Hand-Delivering them to insure I collect me second payment on the spot.

I after 1 year or more stopped working with them- because the projects although they increased, still I wasn't recieving payments on a few out-standing. leaving them with a though balance of $900.  Now I did try to rectify this back then- through smalls claim court, and it seemed the court system had some connection to them and possibly protected them, by stating after several attampts couldn't collect due to no funds in their accounts. so I gave up.  I still have proof of the records filed- and reports in the case you would need as added proof.

Now being a Freelanccer, sometimes I revolve clients and over-ride there faults- none so grevious as this Express Building. However, I'm forgiving and I did send another email- and after some 3 years another guy (Shrugy) contacting me from their Company stating that he is now in charge and Joel Berkowitz who I dealt with peronally 4 years ago is no longer running things there.  He obviously remebered our past and was insuring me that he can now be trusted and used to do service through since he's up to his neck in clients. So  I hoped for the best, and hopped on board.  

After my last project- 556 west 191st street- Measuring and Rendering Plans for a 20 unit building I am again stuck with chasing them for the balance of $350. this has been 3+ weeks now,a nd I am reaching out to you as I am highly frustrated and is now seeking everything from past to present to close off my connection with them for good.  I am out to collect the past $900 + $350= $1250 and forget ever doing business with them a=ever again. It's the principal of things and now I am up to my neck in usary and my Mom told me stop being used anya reach other to shame on you - you'd get results.  ...so here I am in desperate need of your help.

The only reaseon I feel they dont repect me and my services- is becasue I am a woman working as an Independent Contractor and they feel as if I'm not intimidating or that I can be used. And I am totally exhausted, of calling & e-mailing them etc. Please help me.  Thanks so much in advance for even reivewing this letter.