PAL Services

Charles Page, PAL Services, added a $ 200 «Late Fee» to an invoice that was SIX days old. No written contract. Made threats if not paid.
I engaged Charles Page for a Structural Engineering report on behalf of my real estate client. His web price was $ 300. He invoiced my buyer $ 400 and sent the invoice to me a day prior to the actual inspection. His invoice demands a two day payment by check FedEx’ed to his Waxahachie address. I forwarded the invoice to the client but apparently the attachment didn’t forward. Common internet issue.
Last night (Only 5 days after the inspection) the engineer sends a follow up email charging «breach of contract» and wanting a $ 200 late payment fee. He threatens to involve the real estate commission and demands $ 600 by Friday. Its been less than 6 days since the initial inspection. There was no written contract.
«I did not receive your promised payment for the inspection you requested last week. Add $ 200 for the required late fee to your payment. Also your payment is required to me by 5pm this Friday. If I do not receive your payment I will file a complaint with TREC for failure to pay for services $ 600 and also breach of contract»
So today I drove a certified check for $ 600 to his home and got his family member to sign a receipt. He finally issued the report my client needed, but did not reply to my protest of his hidden fees and absurd business practices. There was no written contract. There was no indication that he would hold the report hostage for $ 200 additional dollars. This is just like a mover who won’t unload your belongings until your pay more.
It was a simple billing question which resulted in a 50% fee which is outrageous. He was paid $ 600 for a $ 400 job. He was paid within 6 days of the original job. There was NO contract and NO disclosure of a fee of any type. This is a deceptive business practice.