Maybe that's an option to help you switch?

I don't think as renters we'd be allowed to do that.

Oh. Duh.

O Bonny that would have me not going through the stages of grief but firmly left in rage. As far as ideas go, it sounds as if you have a great one - and instead of a cluestick? If you could somehow manage to help your friend have the best of both worlds, this could happen (in my vindictive little soul at least):

• friend hires company and pays them their fee

• you sue company for ALL of fee, plus six years interest, plus intellectual property infringement

• we (additionally) send company lots of lawn gnomes, plus revive the 'send your unwanted fat to:' campaign special for the CEO.

It sounds like you'd be happier there, hon. Don't forget to weigh that in the pros.

Well, Company X is about to get a cluestick, if your friend happens to mention the interesting confluence of ideas that Company X is now peddling.

Unfortunately, she had the conversation on the phone, so she wasn't able to see his face when she mentioned me. He covered with, "OH! I LOVED her." and then went on to say many flattering things but never addressed the fact that his proposal looked shockingly like mine.

If the project moves forward...which is highly doubtful, she is going to hire me to do the research phase of the project and will, no doubt, pay me as much or more than the original proposal was meant to be.

That won't cover the percentage of income X makes off of my idea.

The friend's husband suggested that I 'sue the bastards'. I can't imagine doing that but one never knows.

eta: HA! Sox-post!! I like the way you think.

Oh, and I should clarify that Company X is hiring my friend, not the other way around.

They have supposedly developed the 'technology' (I can't wait to see what that means) to make the consultation product work, but have not been able to do it for any companies. So they are hiring the communications firm to 'position' them.

That sounds pretty damn good, sj. What's the problem with oil heat? Don't forget to put landlord upgrade in the pros (unless you find out that the new landlord would not be an improvement, of course).

Craziness, bonny.

but have not been able to do it for any companies. So they are hiring the communications firm to 'position' them.

oh my god. for they have taken your great idea and made it smoke, because without understanding or ability, all they have is smoke. and now they taketh your friend and make her unto mirrors... for where smoke goes, often there can be found mirrors to monetize the smoke.

and if not profitable, the mirrors can be blamed later. I do not like company x. no I don't.

oh my god. for they have taken your great idea and made it smoke, because without understanding or ability, all they have is smoke. and now they taketh your friend and make her unto mirrors... for where smoke goes, often there can be found mirrors to monetize the smoke.

This is exactly what my friend said. She then took HER proposal (for the services she could provide them) and cut a bunch of stuff and hiked up the price. Thus the expectation that it won't go anywhere.

Today, X-guy said, )after 10 months of discussion about working with my friend) that they should meet again to discuss 'next steps.' She replied something along the lines of "No. The next time we meet, it will be so that I can say thank you for handing over half the project fees up front. Otherwise, we are done."

She is my business-acumen hero.

What's the problem with oil heat?

We're worried that it is going to be more expensive. Plus we'd have to be in charge of worrying about oil delivery. If anyone who has experience dealing with oil heat wanted to calm our fears. that would be great.