[carryyourbooks]

What is the general rule regarding the opening of a job account at a supply house? Last year, I ordered some special order LED exit lights after opening a job account for a GC. They haven't paid me. The supplier has sent multiple letters to the GC with no luck in receiving payment.

Who is ultimately responsible for the material? The GC or me?

 

[carryyourbooks]

I worked for a company a few years ago. The customer handed me the check to pay my boss in which I handed to him. He never paid the supply house, so they sued the customer. I thought the customer is the responsible party.

 

[carryyourbooks]

Who's name is on the account?

I filled out a job account form prior to purchasing or ordering any material complete with GC information, jobsite address, the whole 9.

 

[carryyourbooks]

Ok, maybe I misread your post.
Not sure about Texas but here in Florida, we open a job account with our supplier. They send notice to the owner that they are supplying materials.
This somewhat collateralizes the purchase with the property.
If done correctly, the supply house can place a Lien on the property and then foreclose on it for the amount of money it owes.

If you are saying that you opened a regular shop account and bought fixtures for the GC, it just like putting it on your personal credit card and you will have to pay it off.

Tell your supplier what is going on and see if there is time for them to file a notice.
What kind of money are we talking about here 100's, 1,000's, tens of thousands??

The supplier knows what is going on with this GC. I have told them I haven't gotten paid for my work either. In fact, I have hired a lawyer to go after the GC. But yesterday, the supply house called and said that we have to set up a payment agreement to pay for the supplies. It just doesn't make sense to me. I have been in constant communication with the supplier from the beginning. They also know that my lawyer is involved as well.

 

[carryyourbooks]

If you used your account and it wasn't a job account, you have to pay.
Has it been more than 45 days since you started the job?
File a notice anyway, just don't try to file a lien if it isn't proper.
Get the owners attention. Let them know they are obligated to pay.

I forwarded the payment request to my lawyer. Basically, he told them if they want their money, they can work with us on this. If they sue me, it would cost them more than its worth. I'm sure they are just as frustrated as I am.