Unpaid Invoice - Debt Collection (Abroad)?

marialouise

Did some freelance work for some Americans who were in Ireland for a few weeks for an event.

Something went a teeny bit wrong on the day but we offered a suitable replacement and a discounted price. On the day they said they didn't have enough cash as they had a withdrawal limit blah blah. I would normally never leave without money, but was a little bit embarrassed and said no problem, they could just sort us out with the full amount that week. Long story short, no payment has been made.

They sent me an email saying we wish to discuss the reduced price, I replied and gave them a further discount and payment details, and have never heard from them again.
Numerous emails have been sent, PayPal money requests, private messages on Facebook. I'm nervous about going too far, but am owed a few hundred euro.

Does anybody have any information on debt collection agencies, what are my chances of recovering this debt?
eg http://www.qllective.com/tariffs
Is any legal action going to be more expensive than the debt itself?

The only contact I have for them is a single email address, no phone number, no home address. I know where one of them works (the state agency, not the address), and that's it.

Any suggestions on what I can threaten in an email that will work?

All advice much appreciated, I've never been in this situation before.
I understand it's a lesson learned, and that I should never have left without being paid, no contract etc; please spare me the hindsight and should-haves

slimjimmc

I'm not in the legal profession but I can't see how you can effectually threaten someone on a different continent with any form of legal action when you can't even identify and track down that person, not worth trying for a few €100. I suspect they know that too.