Job Cancelled by text

[kilty55]

take a deposit,thats the way to stop them cancelling...if they dont agree to the deposit then it will save you any future hassle from them cancelling as they probably are at it anyway

 

[Andy Allen]

soooo.........if you had small print added to the bottom of your quotes saying something like...

by accepting this quotation you agree to the terms and conditions, if you cancle the job without giveing 14days notice then you would still have to pay the invoice in full,......would this be a binding contract......and would they have to sign it to say they have read it.... or would simply accepting the quote be enough.

 

[Dan]

You'd need to point it out to them, and probably get them to sign it too. It'd hold up in court if you had a solid cancellation policy.

The problem is though, your reputation could be tarnished if you kept suing people for money in your area.

What I'd be working on more so would be ways to stop you losing out if they did cancel. And then work on getting the % of cancellations down year on year. And just swallow any small loss that year given the fact your reputation would still be fine in years to come I'm sure you'd not actually lose out on anything during your tiling career.

Don't fall into the conservatory company type affair that are always upsetting customers when the customer cancels because they have to outlay so much you have to have good cancellation terms.

And to be honest, a job less than a grand I don't think I'd be too upset after I'd posted a nice big rant on here and cooled off. A job more than that and I'd try to speak to them at the stage between you handing your quote in, and the job start date, quite a few times. Then they have a few chances to cancel.

As for a cancellation via text, I'd just not accept it and turn up and make them feel fools. But I wouldn't count on money or getting their custom in the future.

 

[mikethetile]

soooo.........if you had small print added to the bottom of your quotes saying something like...

by accepting this quotation you agree to the terms and conditions, if you cancle the job without giveing 14days notice then you would still have to pay the invoice in full,......would this be a binding contract......and would they have to sign it to say they have read it.... or would simply accepting the quote be enough.

if you had it in yout T&C then it would give you leverage on last minute cancellations, if they accept your quote they accept your T&C

now the problem with having restrictives terms like this is it could put some people off employing you if they feel they cant cancel also if you take it to court they can apply to be relieved of that term if its unreasonable in their case

so it would only sit in the small print as a negotiating lever if they do cancel at the last minute. but if they cancel at the last minute as they realise they cant fund the job whats to be gained by suing them and as Dan has said what does that do to your reputation

cancellations happen, I turned down a bathroom retile last night as I had a decorating job booked in till the 23rd , this morning I had a call to cancel the job , I told him that was fine and not a problem and if I could be of assistance to him in the future I will happily do so. he immediatly cheered up and said he was worried about cancelling at short notice and how I would react, the reason he had to cancel is that the alterations work has grown 3 fold and wont be ready for decorating untill late Jan so can I carry on and do the quoted work then plus carry on and do the extra work as well........ result as I have another job to get finished by xmas and ive got a provisional booking now for 3rd week of Jan

 

[merlecollins]

Just avoid all this palava by getting the materials paid for in full before ordering anything

 

[Mouldy]

Or alternatively getting paid for materials once delivered to site.....Or get a pro-forma invoice made up from supplier to show customer, (customer rates obviously, not yours!), so that they know materials have been placed on order.

 

[mikethetile]

clients already paid for the materials and they are on site

 

[The D]

just text them back no problem i will drop the invoice of on Monday. they will get in touch with you to find out what the invoice is for and you can tell them it is for the discount and the consultation fees

 

[tfs]

Personaly, I think to expect payment in full for work not done is totaly unrealistic and unfair.

I dont think you would have a leg to stand on in this case.

If anything a cancelation fee would be more suitable if agreed prior to accpetance of the quote.

As Kilty mentioned, a deposit would be great. Tell them this is a booking fee and will not be returned if job is cancelled. You may choose to offer a timescale in which they can cancel though to be fair.

 

[tfs]

Saying that, these kinds of business/scare tactics can put potential customers off and will not always project the best image for your customers in the domestic market.