18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Offline Perfect Close Partnership and Friendship broke in such short time - how to fix it ?

by austria Banned
16 replies
Hi warriors,

I am very grateful to this forum, and I wish a lot to receive your insights and thoughts on the biggest problem that I had and I have this year:
a partnership that went very wrong...

For 4 years I worked in offline marketing for real estate.
I sold many new apartments from developers to clients.

This story is about one of the business owners to which I had the closest relationship,
for which I made the most sales of apartments 3 years ago. His name is Mr.Adrian.

3 years ago I sold for him about 9 apartaments,
for which he made a profit of over 1.2 million dollars, and he paid promptly the commissions owned to me at that time.

Then I didn't really brought him anymore any new clients,
but last summer we discussed for few weeks a resale of one of the apartments bought by my client.

Last year Mr.Adrian promised me a large commission if I convince that client to sell.

My client came to him this year and signed agreement to sell back to him his apartment, with a 65% loss on price (he bought for approximately 200,000 USD and now giving it back to the owner at only 70,000 USD)

The problem is that Mr.Adrian is now changing his words and promises
every week, first claiming that he owes me no commission for this transaction, then he says "yes I remember about this, well in this case
I will not continue this buy-back" but then he goes on
and instructs the client where the client will receive the
money for this apartment.

I trusted this business owner the most, we spent many days together,
talking about everything, and I cannot believe he is cheating on me for just 5,000 USD.

He said first that he owes me nothing because he didn't remember about our email talk regarding the transaction, then he said he will not continue the transaction anymore,
and in the end he is continuing the transaction.

I didn't sell anything for him in the last 2 years, so he loses nothing
but his honour if he doesn't pay me for this.

In which ways should I go about this situation, in order to have beneficial results?

He was very correct before this, and of course I can write rip off reports
on the internet,
make a "Adrian scammed me" website, report him to the financial institutions (he is not really paying all the taxes)
but which are the posibilitties that actually stand some chances of bringing me the commission that he owes me?

I would like to read ALL your opinions, they would be immensely helpful
in this situation.

Thank you very much
#broke #close #fix #friendship #offline #partnership #perfect #short #time
  • Profile picture of the author betsyanne
    I am not a relationship expert (far from it!) but to me it seems that somehow you have lost the trusting connection you had with this person.

    There are some things you can do; you could perhaps have a session with an arbitrator to settle this transaction, or you can just take your losses this time and get an agreement in writing next time you want to do business with this person.

    It is possible that this person truly DID forget about your talk. If you can recover from the bad feelings about it, you might be able to get a good relationship back with this person someday.

    Good luck with this - and I am really sorry to hear about it. It is never easy to lose a friend or have a major disagreement with one.
    Signature
    Elizabeth Sheppard
    My SEO for Beginners Page
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4560920].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author austria
    Banned
    I printed for him the email discussions about how I convinced the client to sell his apartment, and what is his offer if he wants to buy it. He told me exactly how much he pays for commission. I gave him these printed papers.

    He said that he remembers, but he doesn't want to talk about this... !!!

    He has office in one of the residential complexes where he sells the apartments
    and of course I can post this story everywhere on the internet, announce the financial authorities about the fact that he didn't pay all his taxes and didn't declare his real incomes, etc.

    I want to have an advantage in my next talk with him, so he doesn't just say the same next time I call him, and ask him about his promise of not going on with the transaction or at least paying me the commission if he does the transaction

    What are my posibilities?

    What would you do in my shoes?

    Thank you
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4560938].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author krzysiek
    Sounds like a guy who is making a bit of money... and he's not paying his taxes properly. If that was ME, and you used that against me - I would be paying your $5K commission in no time. I think it is a strong point. While I would not normally tell someone to consider that option, it seems like he is scamming you in this case...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4560986].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PatrickP
    You can either give up the commission or give up the friendship.

    Your choice.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4560995].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author krzysiek
    Not sure why anyone would think it is a friendship when the OP is getting scammed, essentially.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4561080].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PatrickP
    There are 3 sides to every story. His/hers/the truth.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4561085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author austria
    Banned
    The friendship is clearly gone anyway.

    He does know that he is important person and rich, with a good position
    in his area, and he takes this as advantage that probably I will
    just not do anything about this.

    Using the fact that he is very charismatic and everyone considers him very correct,
    he allows himself to just ignore me and say he "doesn't want to talk about this"
    when it is very clearly

    1.He makes a large profit from the transactions with my client brought by me.

    2.He promised commission for this.

    3.He paid commissions 3 years ago on transactions at that time,
    but now he has a strange attitude that he "is angry" on me
    because I brought up this discussion, for which he was not prepared to have... ?!?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4561113].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
      People change all the time, so does the market.

      You seem to have sold quite a few when the going was good, so did I. Now its dead and my financial situation is totally different. His is probably too. That, however, is no excuse for not paying you.

      I don't know what country or state you are in and the laws there. Are you licensed or do you need a license to sell where you live? If you have a license but no contract with him to pay you commissions, it might be tough.

      You got your printed emails with him saying he'd pay you? Small claims court exists in the United States, what about something similar in your country? Even if you win, if he has no money, you get no money only an IOY. (I owe you).

      He doesn't pay all taxes? Got proof? Is it worth it to you to pursue with possible repurcussions, possibly bodily harm or worse to you? I don't know this guy but people have killed for less than $5,000... Personally, I would rather be without the money and not having to look over my shoulder for eternity. Peace of mind before anything else, lol.

      If you desperately need the money, DO NOT show your desperation, it will only get worse. People take advantage of each other all the time, especially when you are desperate.

      Maybe have a casual talk with him about the economy and feel him out about he is doing financially. He might be hurting bad. Try to find a win-win situation and get a written contract to whatever you agree, not just an email.

      My suggestion, after having a better understanding of HIS situation, offer to accept $2,000 in commission for this sale. Then, find a buyer and ask for a minimum of $8,000 at that sale. That will give him some slack now, you get some pocket change and when YOU find a new buyer, you will make up for it then.

      Good luck, Eva

      Just my 2 cents...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4561247].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
    I'm guessing that you are in Austria, and, therefore, my knowledge of law is almost non-applicable. I do believe that you should send him a letter with copies of your emails as attachments. The letter should clearly state what you are demanding, what he has promised (referencing the emails), and the best way to resolve the matter (which is "pay me what you agreed.")

    In America, we call this "documentary evidence." Our legal system almost requires a huge amount of paperwork. By sending a series of progressively less-friendly letters, you are showing a good faith effort to resolve the grievance without involving the courts. This process can only help you in the end.

    Please note that I am NOT an attorney, solicitor, barrister, or anything of the sort. I merely have learned how to protect myself legally over the years.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4561359].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
    I don't know if any of the warriors that have given advice have ever been on a real life legal battle, because I have and here are my comments:

    a) The most expensive advice is the FREE one, go and talk to a lawyer.
    b) The fact that he does not pay his taxes is TOTALLY unrelated with your payment issue, the tax is him owing to the government (and it is solved in type of court) and the other is among individuals for money (and it is solved in a totally different court) unless you PERSONALLY know somebody in the tax agency that can put pressure on the guy that owes the taxes, having this information is absolutely useless, by the way that is called EXTORTION.
    c) Most of the people here live in a countries where "common law" is the common practice NEVERTHELESS most of the population on the world live under a "roman law" scheme, under this scheme you have NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER.
    d) I think that what you are really "buying" with this $5,000 dollars if loss commission is a lesson:"Always put everything on paper and sign it", I think you just buy good knowledge for that amount.

    Best of lucks.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4563136].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bdavisx
    I disagree that he has no evidence. If the emails really talk about a commission amount; and it could be proven that the person sent the emails -- backup tapes, or other valid evidence -- then they have a contract of some sort.

    Is it worth it to take him to court over this? Probably not, the "expert(s)" you would need and subpoenas / other court proceedings (sp?) to get the proof would be be expensive.
    Signature
    Local Search and Marketing Strategies

    Bloomington Landscaping
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4568382].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PatrickP
    If he is in the USA, which I don't know if he is or not, he probably broke at least 2 laws or more
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4568408].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author austria
    Banned
    The jurisdiction is European Union and ... flash news:

    The old google searches returned few newspapers articles about EXACTLY Mr.Adrian (he has a unique name, very rare, so I was "lucky" with this...)
    in which it is said:

    1.Four years ago, Mr.Adrian went to jail for 18 months for continuous bribes taken and given, from the position of the head of Local Tax Office.

    2.Currently his business associates are well known LOCAL MAFIA guys,
    who also did jail time for EXTORTION, BLACKMAIL, AND PUTTING BUSINESS PARTNERS
    TO HOSPITAL (PHYSICAL INJURIES)...

    How would you proceed under these circumstances?

    It feels like a horror drama movie, but it is just the pure reality, and I still can't believe my eyes myself....

    Should I contact the journalists and offer them new materials about Mr.Adrian?

    Would that solve anything in my advantage?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4596173].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PatrickP
    WHAT??????

    The guy has connections to the mafia and you want to rat him out the newspaper.

    If I were you I would ask the Moderators to delete this thread unless you can do it yourself.

    Then count yourself VERY luck you were not beat up or killed.

    Yes VERY serious. Why do you want to play with fire for a 10 or 20K? You can't spend your money if you are dead.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4596204].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author austria
    Banned
    but do you think that once a person was already convicted for these crimes, they really want to go through it all over again, and do these crimes again, and go to jail again, just because they want to keep being dishonest?

    or maybe there is chance that they changed, and now they want in the future to operate business honestly? (am I too naive?)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4596276].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PatrickP
    Noooooo not at all. I mean I am 100% sure than the jails do not have ANY repeat offenders. :rolleyes:

    You sir are a fool and should be done with this. I have a feeling there is a lot more to this story.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4596314].message }}

Trending Topics