{"id":"acct-contractor-rate-query-email","audience":"small-business","category":"finance-work","track":"finance","technique":"tone","level":"beginner","title":"Query a contractor invoice that does not match the agreement","free":false,"task":"You own a small shop and a contractor's invoice looks higher than your agreement. Write a prompt for a plain-text email under 130 words that shows three lines starting \"Agreement:\", \"Invoiced:\" and \"Difference:\", each with the math. Ask which is right and for what you need to see. Stay polite, don't accuse, and don't say what you will or won't pay yet.","materialLabel":"Agreement excerpt and invoice (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"SERVICE AGREEMENT excerpt - Fernwood Carpentry and Marsh & Co Cafe\n2. Rate: $85 per hour for on-site labor. Estimated 40 hours for the counter and shelving project.\n6. Changes: Any change to the hourly rate or scope must be agreed in writing by both parties before it applies.\n\nINVOICE 211 from Fernwood Carpentry - Oct 28, 2026\nOn-site labor: 42 hours at $95 per hour = $3,990.00\nMaterials (passed through at cost, receipts attached): $640.00\nTotal due: $4,630.00\nNote on invoice: \"Rate updated for fall.\"\n\nOwner's notes (Mei):\n- I never got a written rate change, but Tom (the carpenter) did mention prices were going up when he started.\n- Timesheet wasn't attached. Tom said he worked two extra evenings on the shelving.\n- Materials receipts match what I saw delivered.\n- The cafe's accounting software sent a reminder that net 15 payment is due Nov 12.","rules":[{"type":"plainText"},{"type":"maxWords","max":130}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Names the reader","patterns":["tom","carpenter","contractor"]},{"label":"Asks for the labeled lines","patterns":["agreement","invoiced","difference"]},{"label":"Requests documents","patterns":["timesheet","written"]},{"label":"Sets tone","patterns":["polite","accus","neutral"]},{"label":"Blocks payment commitments","patterns":["(don'?t|not).*(say|accept|commit).*(pay|rate)"]}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Accusing the contractor","why":"The AI writes 'you overcharged us' or hints at bad faith.","fix":"Add: \"Polite and curious. No accusations.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Committing on payment","why":"The AI says it will pay the original amount or hold payment.","fix":"Add: \"Don't say what we will or won't pay.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Including materials in the gap","why":"The AI compares the invoice total and gets a different difference.","fix":"Say: \"Compare labor only; materials match.\"","checks":["r0"]},{"title":"Markdown extras","why":"The AI adds bold labels, headings and a closing note.","fix":"Say: \"Plain text, no bold. Output only the lines asked for.\"","checks":["plainText"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits.","fix":"Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.","checks":["maxWords"]}],"hint":"The email needs the math lines and a calm ask. Tell the AI not to commit on payment.","rubricLabels":["Has lines \"Agreement:\" showing 40 hours x $85 = $3,400, \"Invoiced:\" showing 42 hours x $95 = $3,990, and \"Difference:\" showing $590 (labor only, materials excluded)","Asks which rate and hours are correct, requests the timesheet for the 42 hours and any written rate change, and is polite and doesn't accuse","Does not say what will or won't be paid, and does not agree to the new rate or hours"]}