Whether it is Donald Trump or someone else, we should be careful to not convict someone without representation.
From my 30+ years of experience, I’d say Donald Trump’s reported actions with Mr. Teroso accurately represents many architectural clients. Sadly, his actions may actually be more the norm, not the exception.
I have a theory, that the greater the disparity of size (numbers, dollars, political clout, etc) between a buyer and a seller; the more the larger entity gets away with.
For instance, one of our largest projects over the past 30 years was an large client that stiffed us of considerably more than Mr. Teroso claims to have lost. The project size appears to be similar to his. Much like Mr. Tesoro, we didn’t have the resources to fight this highly public client, who threatened us with burying our company if we filed a claim against them. As Tesoro said, “I got bullied out of many thousands of dollars” and it brought our practice “to the brink of extinction”. I too, went to meet our client face-to-face however, this one person’s “powerful position and vast team of lawyers” basically put us in a position of having to accept whatever he determined to pay; or,subject our struggling firm to months, maybe years of public wrangling. We felt we had no choice but to accept their meager check; or go under. Granted, it’s just my side of the story, but it’s the truth...of course. J
Through God's grace, we are still functioning. Also, we learned some really good lessons through this. I’d bet almost all small practice firms who have been in business for a decade or more, have stories like this to tell. If you don’t, consider yourself blessed.
Maybe the AIA should find a way to track various claims of client shenanigans. And maybe the AIA and its members should spend an equal or greater amount of time considering the crooked, dishonest actions of the other presidential candidate; not just Mr. Trump. After all, stacked side-by-side, Mr. Trump’s actions pale in comparison to hers.
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Robin Miller AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
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