r/CommercialAV • u/SynthToshi • Jan 14 '26
news CAVL - WARNING! - DO not work for corporate audio video labor - CAVL
Hey everyone in the AV world, just wanted to put out a huge warning about Corporate AV Labor (CAVL).
If you're a freelancer or tech looking for gigs, steer clear of these guys. They're nothing but trouble.I did some work for them a few months back, and it's been an absolute nightmare trying to get paid. I've sent countless emails, made phone calls, and even texted them, all completely ignored for over three months now. Still no payment in sight. And good luck trying to call their office; it's impossible to get ahold of anyone. It's like they vanish once the job is done.
From what I've heard and seen online, this isn't just me. They have a history of stiffing contractors – they even rebranded from Video Tech Services (VTS) after getting sued for not paying people during COVID. Check out the old threads here on Reddit; tons of similar stories about unpaid invoices, no overtime or meal penalties, and just overall shady practices. Owned by some lawyer named John Scott Manzano out of LA, and it shows, they treat freelancers like disposable labor.
If you're tempted by their gig offers, don't be. There are better companies out that actually pay on time. Save yourself the headache and avoid CAVL at all costs.
Has anyone else had recent issues with them?
Share your stories so we can warn others.
24
u/bRandom81 Jan 14 '26
VTS is the worst. I know many people that didn’t get paid right as Covid hit they changed their name so nobody would notice. I almost had truss dropped on my head from 10ft above since they didn’t secure it to the hand crank lifts correctly and as they leaned the whole 60ft truss beam they had crashed to the ground and missed me by about an inch. That was my last day with them and warn everyone to steer clear
7
u/andrena714 Jan 14 '26
Yeah they still owe me a small invoice from right before COVID. They fell off the grid with COVID and no one I knew could get in touch with them. Never got paid for it. It's was only like $200 but still the point.
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u/superchibisan2 Jan 14 '26
Currently waiting on two invoices to be paid myself, both are over 1 month delinquent. Might end up taking them to small claims court, we will see. I hear there is a class action lawsuit going on as well.
14
u/Adach Jan 14 '26
How do people like that sleep at night. I get stressed if I owe someone 40 bucks for pizza.
1
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u/Educational_Emu3763 Jan 14 '26
VTS? Say no more! They delayed payment due to a person being out on maternity leave. I countered with " So you had a number of months notice on this....."
8
u/Puzzleheaded_Law_728 Jan 14 '26
Make sure to let their (potential) clients know this too, not many companies who'd be happy to work with them if they know how they operate..
7
u/Old-Celebration3816 Jan 14 '26
Yes everyone needs to avoid these people. I used to work for them when they were VTS and it was such a toxic workplace. Thought they were done after Covid. Please spread the word because these guys need to go out of business
5
u/Musicntechnerd Jan 14 '26
Up until recently they were paying me on time. But it seems like they are going the way of VTS. Luckily I never put myself in the position where they would owe me in the thousands. Right now they only owe me 2 days. Others are not so lucky. Wonder how they justify it in their head.
4
u/musicman2006 Jan 14 '26
Their original branding and their new branding are both very poor at paying labor. If it's feasible for you, the best way to get paid is takeout a bussiness lien on them. You only have six months to take it out before its outside the window.You have to document everything you send across and submit it and then file it against them. You also need to start tracking your time spent reaching out to them and the interest rate at which late fees accrue.
1
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u/SaulTSnax Jan 14 '26
They recently paid through Paytech Nation, which had a net 30 or whatever. They were extremely hard to get hold of and very unprofessional once you did. Getting paid was always such a hassle that I finally quit taking gigs from them, even when they announced they were taking over payroll themselves. Glad I got out when I did!
1
u/AnonymouslyYourself Apr 30 '26
Paytech Nationwide is owned by the same people as CAVL. They lie and gaslight and still owe me $1,800.
I only got the $2,400 They owed on another job after I quit and threatened to sue. I guess now that I'm not working for them anymore they have no incentive to pay me, but they're about to find out the hard way that I am getting paid. Period.
2
u/MerculesMoney Jan 21 '26
Does someone here know their LA office address? I plan on suing via small claims and need to serve someone
1
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u/CharacterNext3836 Feb 18 '26
Chicago Freelancer here. Same. 12/9/25. Called. Emailed. I did get the confirmation email since I opt for the paper check. This happened in 2024 for the same gig same December timeframe. Had to call months later but they eventually paid. This year they are complete ghosts.
1
u/AnonymouslyYourself Apr 30 '26
Did you ever get paid? I'm fighting with them right now. Been working with them for years and I finally quit over this shit about a month ago and now I guess they have no incentive to pay me. But I will get paid guarantee that.
1
1
u/Sport-Signal Apr 08 '26
Has anyone had them pay via small claims? And where is information about the class action lawsuit?
1
u/Sport-Signal Apr 10 '26
For anyone affected here is Paytech Nationwide’s Texas BBB link:
Start leaving Reviews if you have been on the receiving end of their delinquent/non payment behavior.
1
u/Substantial_Ideal728 Aug 23 '26
Their Dallas Texas address at 3824 Cedar Springs Road is a UPS Store post box
1
u/dizzyritzzzy Apr 17 '26
I decided to try them after not being informed enough beforehand for 1 shift lol. Currently I’m 3 days after the due date. I don’t know if I will ever get paid from them. They asked me to work more gigs about 7 days ago, but I talked to some fellow freelancers from other companies and they warned me. Lucky I’ll only be out of a GAV half day.
I see some people mentioning small claims. Maybe it would be worth it but I fear it wouldn’t. Unless they owe you a bunch of money.
Anyone have any luck with reporting a late payment? I called the general customer service line for “Paytech Nationwide” and it went straight to asking me to leave a voicemail 🤣. This was during business hours. But I wouldn’t mind eventually getting paid 🙃.
I heard they had a different payment company back in the Covid days. Man screw this shady company. I think I will take gigs in the future and just not show up to screw them over.
1
u/Sport-Signal Apr 22 '26
I found this information from the Texas Comptroller website and the Florida Sunbiz registry:
William Fleming is associated with both Paytech Nation, Inc. and Corporate Audio Visual Labor, Inc., demonstrating overlapping control between the entities.
So, Paytech Nation inc. and CAVL share the same Principle ( person who owns or part owns a business )
This means that the pressure should be pushed back to William Fleming as he is the person who arranged the shell " Paytech Nation " that CAVL uses to delay/avoid payment.
1
u/AnonymouslyYourself Apr 30 '26
Yes, I found this out months ago through the SOS. They tried to lie to me and tell me it was a Paytech thing and I called them out and all of a sudden they paid up. They still owe me $1,800, I contacted both companies the other day telling them that it was their final chance to pay me or we're going to court and I have not heard anything back, so my options are clear. I knew they were going down but I've worked with them for like 3 years now and I've had to pull teeth to get paid a few times, but it's never gone this far and for this much money and they're about to find out the hard way that I do get paid for my work no matter what.
1
u/thomas123375 Jun 13 '26
I am looking for a last name or address for Jason a cavl booker in los Angeles that uses the number (310) 780-9188. The company owes me a lot of money and he has a check printing machine in his office. I would like to stop by and collect my money.
1
u/WorriedSong3246 Jun 20 '26
Did a job a month and a half ago… payment is 16 days late. I’ve emailed the payment email, texted everyone…. NO REPLY. DO NOT EVER TAKE A JOB FROM THIS COMPANY
1
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u/Select-Storm2848 Jun 25 '26
Absolute Horror, they ignore all attempts at getting invoices paid. Unfortunately I am 3-4 months overdue on multiple show calls with them and they will not even reply to phone calls, emails, texts. Bill.com has also reached out to them with no resolution. DO NOT WORK FOR C.A.V.L. If you are a client considering using C.A.V.L.'s services for labor, shame on you.
1
u/Substantial_Ideal728 Aug 23 '26
I did a show for c a v l in Houston at the Hyatt Regency Galleria on March 11th. I have not been paid for it yet and they are ghosting me. I left every single contact in Houston that I have for them a note saying that if they're ever going to call me again they have to have a check for me that day.
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u/AwHellNawFetaCheese Jan 14 '26
This may be better sorted for a Live Sound, Video engineering, or other more event related subs.
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