u/Charming-Report1669

TL;DR - Don't ever work for Corporate AV Labor (or, better yet, agree to the gig and don't show up)

I have worked a few gigs before with VTS/Paytech/CAVL or whatever they call themselves these days. Usually I was paid within 30-45 days after a couple of payment reminders. One time I was even accidentally booked as a V1 when they didn't need me so they basically had me check batteries in microphones all day (easiest $1000 I ever made).

I worked a camera gig with them last year - the guy called me in a panic after the tech called in sick, so I rushed in same-day and saved them. It took 60 days of constant harassment to finally get paid.

So, stupidly, I agreed to a gig here a few months ago, thinking that what happened to me last year was a fluke. When I arrived on-location I met several other contractors who all told me they flat out refused to ever work with CAVL, and even the group I was with all had bad histories.

It's been three months now - and they owe me $1700. The days I spent on-site there I was out the money for parking/meals so I have indeed lost money on this.

I didn't take this laying down - I have gotten in touch with the venue, the show producer and even CAVL's client. They all know how bad CAVL is...they haven't paid any contractors from that show (the company said they sent CAVL a "shit sandwich" over this).

Now, CAVL's client thinks CAVL has just gone out of business again or rebranded itself to run from debt. They told me they have paid CAVL for their services weeks ago, and there were issues in another city. When confronted by their client about non-payments to a particular contractor, their response was "well, we've taken that individual off our call list" - never putting into account the person was never paid.

So, if you ever hear from these folks again, help us all by putting them out of business.