Unfortunately, too many people live by the credo of "do unto others, before they do unto you". 
Mike
Yup - I just got another collection call from an agency that works for the Yellow Pages. As some of you know, I sold my sign and stripe business to a buddy, Cuda-Joe back in May of '06. About a year ago, after he'd had the business for several months, I got a call from a Private Investigator/Skip Tracer. Turns out, when I sold Joe the business, I worked with him for 2 months (free of charge) and during that time I started to hand over the bills to him as well. I specifically handed him the yellow pages bills each month and told him, "You have to pay this. It is for the advertising that is placed for the business." He said, "Okay." Well, I move away, he moves the shop closer to his home, and forwards all of the mail etc. Turns out, he just kept one of the phone numbers (despite my recommendation that he forward the other one as well) and never paid for any of the advertising that kept that phone ringing. Now, Bell South is coming after me for the 2 GRAND he stiffed them and, because I took him at his word, I may be screwed. AND this is after I sold him the business at a discount (although he may argue that) because I considered him a friend!
An interesting side note, he's lost EVERY printing and sign customer I had, some of whom I had for YEARS. Unfortunately, I have a Non-Compete with him that I agreed to for 2 years and I still have a few months left on it. Otherwise, I'd go back into the sign and stripe business as a more full-time sideline and make up the 2 grand out of his Ebay pocket. But, like this thread says, I gave my word that I would not compete for 2 years and I plan on honoring that.
Oh well - sorry for the rant
