Question:

I'm an independent contractor, a company who said they'd pay me $45 only paid me $10. How can I get the rest?
She won't reply to my e-mails, phone calls or anything. I drove over 3 hours and 128 miles for a lousy ten bucks. If anyone wants to try for fun and send her an e-mail, her name is Michelle Lee at Sprint Mortgage Services. Her e-mail address is: smsi@aol.com. Please just simply ask her if she would be an honest business woman and pay Cara Johnson the $35 she owes me. Thanks everybody!

Answers:

A-Best: Did you have a written contract? If so, take her to small claims court. If not, chalk it up to experience. NEVER work without a written contract. If you do, it's she said/she said.  

A: Independent Contractors often use small claims court. It will cost you $15 for the clerical part of filing but the biggest point here is the unethical behavior that needs some justice applied. You can also collect for any fees such as the gasoline you used and filing fees. Go for it.  

A: I hope you have a signed contract. Otherwise, it may be a rough one for you to prove.  

A: Send her a bill for the rest and keep a xerox copy of it. Tell her also in the letter that you're willing to file with small claims court to get the rest that's owed you if the remainder of your money is not sent within 30 days. Be professional, it'll get you your money. Asking others to hassle her is not the way to go. If she doesn't pay within 30 days, you start small claims proceedures--the loosing party ends up paying court costs, which would be her since she owes you for the job done. If you need help, any lawyer has a free consultation for 1/2 to 1 hour, just give them a call (they're in the phone book).