Adsense can be erratic at times with people losing their account for no rhyme or reason and once you lose your account it is difficult to get it back and even regarding payments they can be very lax.On of my friends had neraly 200 dollars in her account and she got paid only after that and that too after many repeated reminders and requests
Yes that is a risk. But I don't know what to do. And that is why I have signed up for Chitika as an alternative. But I hope that Adesense doesn't do it to me.
And waiting for $200? I guess your friend might have set that threshold.