In my late teens, I (19m, at the time) worked for a law firm as a courier. I loved the job but the pay was meager.
I had been working there for nearly two years when I was approached by a guy (early 20s) who was starting up a courier delivery company with his dad (40s). It would be limited to documents for law firms, courthouses, and other businesses. He offered me a higher hourly rate and a commission based on the clients I could bring in.
Having been in the business for a couple of years already, I knew plenty of potential clients and ended up bringing in all but 1 over the first six months. As I was the only person doing any of the deliveries I wasn't able to complete all the new client paperwork for the clients I was bringing in, so I was instructed by the owner to hand them off to his son, my “supervisor”. I had been asking about my commission bonuses and was told that the clients needed to be on the books for a few months before they would have the funds for the commissions. I was young and dumb, so I let that answer stew for a couple of days.
A few days later, I learned that the boss's son had been getting commissions for all the new clients I brought in. When I confronted the owner about this e called his son in, then informed me that I wouldn't be getting any commission because I didn't bring in any clients. Shocked, I told him that I was responsible for nearly every client we had. He responded that since my name wasn't on the paperwork, I didn't get credit for bringing them in. I said that I was instructed to hand them off to his son for the final paperwork because I was needed to maintain the deliveries. The boss shrugged and said, “That's just how it is.” I said, “Okay, I'll start finishing the paperwork for the clients I bring in.” The boss told me that I was not to do that because I had to continue with the deliveries. At that point, I told them that I quit, and walked out the door.
Fast forward about nine months and I'm working the registers at Costco. One of my old clients came through my line. Surprised, she said that she wondered where I went, then informed me that when they were told I quit the courier job they tried to keep working with the courier firm but that the boss's son was so rude and arrogant they fired them. She also informed me that she heard they recently went out of business, so I guess his son was rude to more clients than just her. I won't lie, that made me feel good.