PHILADELPHIA – An audio, video, lighting and staging company is attempting to recover $13,000 in compensation it says a customer never paid it, after said company provided professional services for an event held in Baltimore, Md. this past August.
Synergetic Sounds, Inc. of Bensalem filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 7 versus Stephen S. Piner of Philadelphia.
According to the lawsuit, on or about Aug. 9, 2017, Synergetic contracted with Piner to provide lighting, power distribution, audio and video at the Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, Md. on Aug. 11.
On Aug. 11, Piner offered payment for $13,000 to Synergetic via check, but when the plaintiff attempted to deposit the check, it was learned that there were insufficient funds to cover the amount and the check bounced, the suit says. Further, Synergetic allegedly incurred a bounced check fee of $130.
On Aug. 18, Synergetic e-mailed Piner, attempting to collect the balance and work out a payment plan in good faith, the suit says. Piner agreed to submit a good faith payment by Sept. 15 and set up a payment plan for the remaining balance – however, Piner failed to make payment of the principal, or set up a payment plan as he had agreed to, the suit says
Then, on Sept. 18, Synergetic again contacted Piner to ask for the full payment by the following day, Sept. 19 – and to communicate if this was not done, the matter would be escalated to the collections and legal team, the suit says.
Piner said he was unable to pay the full balance by the following day, but agreed to provide a good faith payment of $5,000 by the end of business on Sept. 18, another $5,000 on Oct. 18 and the remaining balance of $3,000 on Nov. 18, the suit says.
However, to date, Synergetic said it has received no further communication or any kind of payment whatsoever from Piner. A rider in the contract cites Synergetic would be entitled to recover 25 percent of the balance due or a minimum of $500 as reasonable collection fees, attorney’s fees and costs, along with a monthly interest rate of 1.5. percent if not paid by the due date.
For one count of breach of contract, the plaintiff is seeking the full balance of $13,000, the returned check fee of $130, 1.5 percent interest on the $13,000 for being late 30 days, counsel fees and costs, plus such further equitable and/or injunctive relief as deemed necessary by the Court.
The plaintiff is represented by Jeffrey Campolongo in Bala Cynwyd.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 171100327
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com