Complaint Review: Dave Johnston / Elite Construction Group - Michigan

Dave Johnston placed an ad on Craigslist in March 2009, looking for a professional writer. I responded to his ad, and I began working for him shortly thereafter. I edited some of his existing professional copy, I wrote original advertising and email copy, and I then also started writing computer code.

During this time, Dave directed me as far as what should be included in the ads. One of the things he likes to claim is that his business spends $100K per year on advertising. I even included this in some of the copy that I wrote for him, as he likes to have that emphasized. (All of this can be proven in email exchanges between Dave and myself and in contractor emails from Dave to his contractors, where he claims to have this large advertising budget.)

Dave has always gone on and on about how happy he is with my work and how he owes me the money. (This can also be proven in multiple emails.)

Almost immediately, Dave started having "cash flow problems". He made his first invoice (less than $100) in full. After this, he failed to make a full payment and constantly ran a past due balance. Because he sounds good initially, with a very 'used car salesman' kind of pitch, his promises of of 'you're the best writer in the world, you're awesome, I want you to write for me for 20 years, just give me a little time' were met with a great deal of patience on my part, even though my usual policy is not to release the work until I am paid. However, I was trusting -- BIG mistake for this rookie business owner!

I finally stopped working when the balance neared $500, and I told him that I could not work until the balance was paid in full. I have offered payment arrangements, small monthly payments, and even have offered the ability for him to make a one-time payment just to show good faith. However, he has refused, citing 'cash flow problems'. But wait a minute --

This is a company claiming to have a $100,000 annual advertising budget, yet cash flow problems prevent him from PAYING for this advertising?

This whole situation is very annoying not only because I am a one-person business and cannot afford to carry a deadbeat, but also because his website is still up and running and using the code that I wrote, and he is still posting Craigslist ads using the advertising copy that I wrote... but for which he has never paid!

At this point I am pursuing small claims litigation as well as warning others!

This Rip-Off Report is to prove multiple points:

1. NOBODY should do ANY work for Dave Johnston / Elite Construction without getting paid UP FRONT.

2. Dave Johnston / Elite Construction claims to spend over $273 per DAY ($100K/year) on advertising in order to garner leads for his contractor customers, yet he cannot pay a $500 invoice after MONTHS of it being past due?

3. Elite Construction has a D- rating with the BBB.

Do not be ripped off the way that I was. I recommend that anyone reading this run away screaming from doing ANY sort of business with Elite Construction!

IF he pays his invoice, I will update this report... But if there is no update, you can be sure the invoice is STILL outstanding!!

RippedOffinNoviMI

Novi, Michigan

U.S.A.