Rant on excuses for lack of payment

Someone hired me for a specific job on behalf of his client. I stipulated that payment be sent in advance. He sent me a check but asked that I not cash it until he gives me the go-ahead. I did the work, but 3 months later, he still has not given me the go-ahead despite constant reminders. All along, he says that his client hasn't paid him. As far as I'm concerned, though, the owes me the agreed upon sum, whether they pay him or not. When I sent my magazine out to print I paid my printer in full --  even when advertiser stiffed me on their end.  My contractual obligation with him stood even if the cash flow was not ideal.  It never would have even crossed my mind to try to delay payment on the basis that my advertisers had not yet paid what I was owed.  But this guy has been playing that game for over 3 months now, delaying form week to week with "I have to talk to them," "I have to get my money from the," etc. Now, he's up to asking until the end of the week because he has to figure out how to manage to pay me out of his own pocket.  Gosh, you would think this is a huge sum. It's only in the low 3 figures -- and lower than some of my monthly utility bills! 

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