Posted by Sherry_CA on 7/23/07 3:53pm
Msg #201320

Beware this guy....

Still not paid. .I have been trying to get paid from Brian Bayless since Feb 5th, 2007!! He ignores my calls, emails, etc. He even mistakenly one time asked me to do another signing! This guy is too much, I hear sooo many people getting stiffed by him. This is so unfair. I HATE chasing people down for money. I have not had to do this before. It seems he is getting away with this quite often! I am thinking of getting a collection agency on him. Still looking for suggestions??

Reply by Cynthia/CA on 7/23/07 4:00pm
Msg #201321

Sherry,
What company does he own???

Reply by Sherry_CA on 7/23/07 4:18pm
Msg #201327

Well it used to be National Signing Network based out of Ohio. However I just recently heard he has a new company trying to change his name and hide from his debt, it is called:www.st8wide-llc.com

Reply by Steven Carter on 7/23/07 4:32pm
Msg #201331

Why dont you accept the assignment and then contact the title company and advise them, or take the closing and then cancel at the last minute and tell him why you cancelled...

Reply by Cynthia/CA on 7/23/07 4:44pm
Msg #201332

Steven,
All I can say to that suggestion is a big - LOL.

Reply by Sherry_CA on 7/23/07 4:58pm
Msg #201335

I called the title company. Clear & Closing and they said they paid him already and it is not their debt. Honestly I even thought about Steven's idea. But its just not me to do that. I just now want EVERYBODY to know and beware and I hope it does not happen to them. It would be great if all the title companies also know how he operates. I heard he has stiffed soooo many Notaries. So guys...beware.

Reply by K_PA on 7/23/07 5:32pm
Msg #201341

Hi Everyone, Kay from PA here. I'm new to the forum, but not a" newbie" been in this
business for 4 years, full-time. This forum has help me and the search button is great. Now
it's my time to help. I too have been stiffed by Brian Bayless. I spoke with him on July 1. (Daugher lives outside of Dayton, was visiting), he answered phone, guess it was because
same area code. But still waiting for payment. I told him I would come and pick up the check on July 2, but guess what, when I got there he wasn't in, that was no surprise to me. Phone number 937-901-0828-good as of July 1 fax 1-800-621-5540, DBA www.st8wide-llc.com.
Good luck

Reply by Philip Johnson on 7/23/07 6:19pm
Msg #201346

Call the title company back and ask

for the legal department. Express to them the deal and state that you think that they are complicit with the acts of this person. Most "legal departments" do not want any stain on them or their business so they will be more apt to work with you. I have done this twice and once it worked like a charm. The second time it was a small local title company and I finally tracked down the owner/president told him the deal and he was shocked that his folks worked with scoundrels and promptly paid me. Good luck.

As an aside I screwed around with Brian in his last incarnation and finally got paid when I found someone at the title company who called him on the carpet.

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 7/23/07 5:23pm
Msg #201340

FYI re: Brian Bayless

I was contacted to do a signing a couple of months back and told Brian that due to his negative feedback on NotRot, I would not be able to accommodate him. He assured me that the company he PREVIOUSLY worked for were the non-payers, and he had started out on his own with st8wide. I hesitantly accepted the assignment with the clear understanding that I WILL BE PAID. Period.
Brian paid me as agreed and without issue. I hope he hasn't taken the path of his previous employer :o(

Reply by Mindy_WA on 7/23/07 5:44pm
Msg #201342

Re: How 'bout... <long>

you send him an invoice with PAST DUE written in RED on the front, include a formal letter from you stating "your attorney" has advised that you give them one last demand for payment. Explain that should they choose not to pay this invoice by July 31, you may be forced to turn this account over to "your attorney".

You don't have to name your attorney, you don't HAVE to have an attorney, but many times the fear of the word 'attorney' is enough to set people into motion.

My most successful experience with this is over the phone and not in a letter, but sounds like you have not been able to get him on the phone.

THE KEY: Make your letter sound very professional. Use proper grammar, and SPELL CHECK. Use professional letterhead, if possible, and send return receipt requested.

Another thought....

Do you get his voice mail when you call? If so, just (really casually) say, "Hey Brian, give me a call. My number is (555)555-5555." (maybe even use another phone number that he wouldn't know)

Don't give your name, or mention a debt. People have such curiosity, they are compelled to call you back. Thats when you let them know what "your attorney" has advised.

I recommend having them pay instantly with Paypal, if possible.

This has worked MANY times! Now that I have given all of my collection techniques. Play on their fears. Good luck!

Reply by SoCal Signing Co. on 7/23/07 7:43pm
Msg #201355

Re: How 'bout... <long>

in my humble opinion. The attorney thing will not work. You simply call the title company and tell them if they do not pay you, you will place a lien on the subject property.
They in turn will call the signing agency and give him crap.

If the title company gets complaints on the agency, they will not use them.

Attorneys in many states can not sue for such small amounts and so its not a valid threat in some cases.
Title / Escrow companies do not need the headache, there is no time to deal with such things, do not let them push you off..... be persistent

Reply by Charles_Ca on 7/23/07 7:55pm
Msg #201357

Putting lien on the property would open you up to a lawsuit

you wold have a hard time defending. The Signing Service contracted with you and you accepted. The only contract is between you and the signing service. Not an attorney so it's my opinion only but if someone did that to my property I'd own them!

Reply by Philip Johnson on 7/23/07 9:49pm
Msg #201371

The attorney thing will need to work for you

when you slap a lien on someone's property. You will be laughed out of the courthouse when you go down to file this lien and you better pray the person you tried to lien does not have an attorney brother in-law who is hungry.

Reply by Kevin/Ct on 7/24/07 6:21am
Msg #201414

Re: The attorney thing will need to work for you

I would agree. If you wrongfully lien someone's property...you may find yourself as a defendant in a slander of title suit.

Reply by Mindy_WA on 7/24/07 10:13am
Msg #201440

Re: .....

In Our 4 years in business, I have NEVER heard of someone successfully placing a lein on the subject property. It sounds sketchy to me.

I agree that title could be an avenue to go down, but it has always been a dead end street for me. Title companies have usually wisened up long before I come collecting from a DEAD BEAT. Thus, elimintating the leverage they may have had on the SS.

While I agree, as well, that many states attorneys may not be willing to/can't work for such small amounts, it's the fear of the unknown.

As I said, PLAY ON THEIR FEARS. People think they know what attorneys can do, but they don't really want to find out otherwise.

Collection of debt is a game of outsmarting the other party. HONESTLY, we don't have many options when trying to collect a debt. Here, collection agencies won't even talk to us on a professional level, neither will attorneys. I succeed at collecting, because people don't want to be sued, and they know if I have 'an attorney' involved, it will be much more expensive than small claims court.

I repeat, 'play on their fears'...not ours. Don't over-think it!

Disclaimer: I may, or may not, have an attorney, but I am NOT an attorney. I don't recommend that you find out. DEAD BEATS...don't call me, OR...pay me first.

Reply by Sherry_CA on 7/25/07 1:35pm
Msg #201726

Brian Bayless knows how to hide.

Thanks guys. Just beware of this guy, pass the word around and I hope he does not get you. What goes around comes around....I can't stress about this.