Getting Burned

I've only been burned one time by a gallery until now. A while back I dealt with a gallery in California. It never did a whole lot for me to have work there, but I like it on my resume. One time I looked up the web site just for kicks, only to find out that it no longer existed. After a while, I found out that the gallery closed. Luckily I found the former owner of the gallery and after some time, I did get a few of my pieces back. I am sure I'll never see the bigger ones that I sent.
Now I have a gallery that I have been with for many years that is not paying me for several pieces. (22 pieces to be exact) A year and a half ago, the owner agreed to buy a set of minis sculptures that retails for $1500.00. Payment was offered within a month of the purchase. A year and a half later-no payment. Not only that, but when I called the owner, and she beat around the bush about it, I was told that some pieces were broken and already given away as gifts. I asked to have another set of mini sculptures at her other gallery sent back to me. When they arrived, I was missing two pieces. I emailed her and the response was that they were either broken or stolen, but she didn't really seem to know and she would send payment for those too. Funny though a few weeks later, a guy from Philadelphia emailed me saying he liked the 2 mini pieces at that gallery in New Mexico. I sent off one last email requesting payment at the end of September. Of course I haven't been paid yet.
You may have noticed I have failed to mention the specific name of the gallery, although if you do your homework, I am sure you could figure it out.
I am always amazed at the how gallery owners come off as if they are better or more important than the artists they "represent". I have read about it in books and articles and now I have experienced it. Unless you can pull big ass sales or a lot of customers in so the gallery can make sales, your pretty much on the shit list. In fact, I think when it comes down to it, your on the shit list either way. Your basically a means to an end to the owner. The art business is like most businesses- "it's not personal, it's business". However Art is absolutely personal and it's hard for artists not to take it that way.
Here is a great link for anyone who wants to read up on how to avoid scams and rip offs. I love this guys site. Look closely, there are lots of good things here. http://www.artbusiness.com/artists.html