Q: A local businessman said he would pay me a commission for business I sent his way. I referred two clients that he profited from, and I have been put off by the gentleman after numerous business calls. He has failed to show up for two planned meetings. What recourse, if any, would I have? There is nothing in writing, but there were two witnesses to the statement.
A.L.
A: "The key here is whether there was a 'meeting of the minds,' as the law calls it," said Mike Wells, a local attorney who writes a legal advice column for the Journal. "Was there a definite agreement about what he was going to pay as a commission? Without a clear understanding of what the commission was going to be, this will be a tough case to make out, even with witnesses."
If there is a clear agreement, you should consider going to small-claims court, he said.
The following website gives tips on the mechanics of the Small Claims Court system: www.nccourts.org/Courts/Trial/SClaims/Default.asp.
Q: Are there any document-shredding events in Winston-Salem soon? If so, where and when?
D.S.
A: We continue to hear from a lot of people who want to shred documents. SAM is not aware of any shredding events coming up.
"Not a lot goes on in January, February or even March," said Kris Keiser, the general manager of Cintas Document Management, a company that provides the shredders for many of the public shred events that take place in the area. "Typically, they don't happen before April 1."
The next Better Business Bureau "Shred and Secure Your ID Day" will be April 21, the weekend after Tax Day, said David Dalrymple, the president and CEO of the BBB of Northwest North Carolina. Because April 15 falls on a Sunday this year, Tax Day will be on April 17 instead.
Based on previous experience, Dalrymple said, "many people do not understand what to shred versus what not to shred." As a result, they come to the shred events with more material than they need to bring.
You don't need to shred whole magazines just because there is a label on the front with your name, for instance, or coupons you get in the mail. Most of that material can be recycled. If you're worried, you can tear off the cover or just the address label and save that for shredding. That way, you will have less to store until April.
When we do hear of any shredding events, we will let you know. And bear in mind you can always buy a personal shredder at many stores, or, if you have a lot you need to shred, check the Yellow Pages under "Shredding Paper" to find businesses that can help.
Donating stuffed animals
SAM has heard from another group that accepts donated stuffed toys.
Catholic Social Services' Wee Care Shoppe accepts stuffed toys, diapers sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and preemie through 4T clothing. The Wee Care Shoppe will accept any items for babies and toddlers, but no used car seats or drop-side cribs. For more information, call (336) 714-3213 or go to www.cssnc.org.
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