Decorative Painter Eats Pizza For Life
Here's some advice straight off the bat: do not begin any construction or painting project without a written contract that both parties have agreed upon. Verbal agreements between acquaintances usually end badly... and in the case of a painter in Terrytown, one major stomach ache.
Diane Hoppman is a decorative painter who was hired to paint Cassano's Pizza and Tratorria in Terrytown, New York. She claims it was a $2,400 job, but was only paid $600. Problems arose when we discovered there was no contractual agreement between Diane and Steven, the owner of Cassano's.
"He asked how much it would be, but because it was changing I couldn't give a price on work that hadn't been discussed," said Diane, "so I said I would give him a really good price. There wasn't a set contractual agreement... After three weeks of working everyday I said I needed a deposit and he gave me six or seven hundred dollars in cash."
Shortly after finishing the job, Diane drew up an invoice for $2,400. Steven’s fiance called Diane to tell her she could come pick up her earnings. But after hearing from Steven, their "agreement" became too much to stomach. Cassano's owners wanted to pay her in pizza!
"I was astounded that somebody could translate the English language that way from here's the bill with money to pizza," said Diane. "I just don't understand that!"
Steven says Diane had agreed to the terms. Diane said she was only joking, apparently Steven was not. He said he was going to pay her in trade as well as by advertising her artwork.
“I asked her multiple occasions, can we sit down and speak about the price of the job,” said Steven. “On more than one occasion, there are witness to attest to the fact, it was ‘Don’t worry about it, you can pay me in trade, thats fine, thats fine.’”
We tried to work out an agreement to get Diane's paintings back, but she didn't want to sign anything. Isn't that how this all started, not wanting to sign an agreement?
Because the two party's failed to execute a written agreement at the outset, the restaurant owner could pretty much tell her to take a hike...Or eat pizza for life.
So as a note to all artists, contractors and their respective customers; work should not begin until terms are agreed upon in the form of a written contract and a deposit has been made.
Comments: 11
This shouldn't be a problem if not for the Cassano guy too cheap to pay the lady. He thought the lady said he can pay her anything, so he pay her by pizza is just a lame excuse. Well, there are cheap bastards everywhere who wants full goods or service without full pay.
She wants to bring this to court? To do what? There is no contract to argue with. She got to admit this is a crucial mistake.
In an ideal situation, a contract is not needed, if both party meant what they said, and keep their word. I love this way, if it works. But for a 4 digits amount of work, a contract is much safer, especially for people you don't know too well.
I am offended that you aired that woman’s bigoted and demeaning statement “are you stupid, are you retarded?” Retarded is NOT a synonym for stupid, it is a medical diagnosis, and using it as a derogatory, belittling term hurts and insults people who struggle with developmental disabilities. If she had said, “are you stupid, are you [FILL IN ANY ETHNIC SLUR]”, would you have broadcast that? Of course you wouldn’t. It’s bad enough that the woman said it on camera, but then you had to air it. Twice. How do you think Jim Watkins feels, as the parent of an autistic child, hearing that? Shame on you.
She seemed to never have an idea about a fixed price for a painting. I dont think that's ever a good place to put another business in. Are there examples where that works? Cassano's was showing more of an effort to know in advance what they would be paying. No one wants to know after the product is finished. She was the one that didn't want the written contract, showing favoritism of an undetermined, surprising price, that the Cassano's Pizza didn't want to have to wait and find out. He must have seen $2,400 just as frightening as she saw being paid in pizza, not being given any clue of how much the piece would cost beforehand.
She also said "are you retarded?" to the pizza guy on TV. If ch 11 is trying to make that term used in an offensive way acceptable by airing it on tv, can you give me a better heads up? that was pretty confusing. I've seen you be very aggressive with the people who were on the "bad side" of the story. but I would have felt better if you(the hero) switched teams at the end of the story when she let out her offensive comment, at least to keep viewers assured of what is acceptable and what's not..
I'm an artist sometimes! I enjoy working on something for fun and then seeing what it will be like while having no more than a clue until it's finished(an abstract art adventure!), but I wouldn't want to have to put customers through that. :)
L. Carter -- I totally agree with you, that was unacceptable. What word do you think they'll start airing next?
By the way, I've seen better artwork by second graders. stupid story.
This woman is a fraud! I saw her on the Chris & Maddy morning show. She brought on her neighbors that she was quarreling with. This lady is obviously nuts and wants to be on TV. Her true colors are quite obvious in which the way she conducts herself in the segment. Shame on WPIX 11 for airing this. Hey Howard, check references and review the content before airing your pieces.
can't believe people here are targeting the lady for her honest work. Yes, she didn't solidly stated the price, but it is definitely more than $600 the guy paid.
And, the word retard may be a problem, but it was out because the lady was upset in the moment. It is probably better for the video editor to bleep out the word. But that's not the point, the point is the guy didn't pay an agreed price, even just verbally.
cant believe because of that one word, you guys discredited the whole story, what a bunch of geniuses. When you said the station shouldn't air the word, you are not judging this fairly either.
Whatever happened to good Journalism?
Back when journalists actually cared about getting the facts right and spent some time researching before writing something? "Terrytown?" Try, "Tarrytown." Howard, that is the correct name of the town you're talking about in your story. I know Dianne, I have worked in the restaurant business with her in the past-I am also a Bartender, and as far as i can remember, she seemed to always have been involved in some sort of lawsuit, or quarreling with someone.
I feel for the guy in the story.
By the way, KC: If you actually listen to the story, there was never an agreed upon "price." What they did, however, agree upon was to trade services.
Whatever happened to good Journalism?
Back when journalists actually cared about getting the facts right and spent some time researching before writing something? "Terrytown?" Try, "Tarrytown." Howard, that is the correct name of the town you're talking about in your story. I know Dianne, I have worked in the restaurant business with her in the past-I am also a Bartender, and as far as i can remember, she seemed to always have been involved in some sort of lawsuit, or quarreling with someone.
I feel for the guy in the story.
By the way, KC: If you actually listen to the story, there was never an agreed upon "price." What they did, however, agree upon was to trade services.
This woman is in a little world of her own. She called Howard to get some TV exposure. I know her personally and she is a bitter person who has at least two restraining orders against her and is banned from several local Westchester dining establishments. Diane wanted to give my wife a painting of hers that was a rendition of her take on the world trade center aftermath. How thoughtless and ignorant can a person be. I didn't want a constant reminder of the friends I lost hanging in my living room five feet by three feet. As for the " Are you retarded " comment I am utterly appalled and dismayed. She is clueless in life and always will be. She needs a diversity class, but she still won't get it. I want to arrange a pizza party with some friends and toast Cassano's !!! Give it some time if you meet her ( like I have ) Diane has issues with everyone she meets BEWARE !!!!!
I think the Cassanos are just pieces of shit. I live in Hartsdale where their other location is. They have kicked out pregnant women, yelled at kids, and I have even heard the owners use ethnic slurs and anti-semitic language on occasions. They seem to always be making fun of a customer for some reason.
This guy Frankie Fanucci is a business competitor to cassano's in Hartsdale.. This person obviously practices poor business etiquette, not only by posting the NAME OF HIS RESTAURANT in the heading of his entry, but he makes false claims against the Cassano Brothers. All of the accusations that this Neanderthal makes are unwarranted, as well as completely false. Just because your disgusting pizzeria is not doing well, does not necessitate an attack on the established pizzeria across the street. The Cassano's are good hearted people, and care for their customers very much. Anti semitic language? you have to be kidding me..
Maybe Frankie and Fanucci's shouldn't make false claims such as : THEY HAVE WOOD OVEN PIZZA.. IT IS A MAINLY GAS ASSISTED WOOD OVEN, NOT THE TRADITIONAL WOOD OVENS THAT THEY CLAIM TO HAVE. HTOSE OVENS WOULD NOT PASS HEALTH INSPECTIONS IN THIS DAY AND AGE.. YOU ARE LIARS, AND SHOULD BE DISGRACED AT YOUR REMARKS. YOUR PIZZA SUCKS, AND IT IS OVERPRICED, WHICH IS WHY YOU OFFER A 30 PERCET OFF DISCOUNT ON EVERYTHING YOU SELL.. OH AND BY THE WAY, YOUR WINE IS SERVED IN BEER MUGS. YOU CLOWNS!! i am italian and never has wine been served in beer mugs... Learn your trade before you practice