Paying up?

[PJ Tiling]

How do you guy's deal with customers who either refuse to pay or drag their heels paying?

I've not really come across it before however I have a job that I completed a couple of weeks ago and they still haven't settled up. It makes me laugh all these tv shows about rouge traders, do's and don'ts when paying them but what about the other side of the coin:mad2:

 

[DHTiling]

Simply make a courtesy call and ask if they got your address ok..? this will see when they intend to pay..

 

[Olz]

I had some one last year who cancelled not one cheque but two, she also did this to the window and conservatory fitters, the sparkys, the plumber and the oil heating engineers.

She owed out well over 25k between us.

She eventually paid me £900 via cheque, for half the balance, the other cheque bounced, Im convinced this was becuase she didnt catch it in time.

I took her to court for the other 900 odd quid, she didnt bother to repond to the court papers, or pay up when the court ordered her to and hit her with a CCJ.

Cut a long story short I elevated the claim to the high court, got a writ for the full amount, plus interest, and court costs, then handed it all over to a private bailiff firm who took care of it pretty quickly, I had the cash in the bank around four weeks later.

Though this was a long way down the line and the best thing to do is politley chase, if still no joy, send a draft court paper advising that if payment is not made by x date, you will submit them, and claim the interest etc.

If you do a quick search on the forum you'll find a good few threads on the topic.

Key message, friendly first, play hard ball later.

 

[PJ Tiling]

Tried Dave bloke keeps dropping my calls, or won't answer his phone. I've popped round to his house a few times but his wife keeps telling me he's working away and he's the one dealing with it.

 

[DHTiling]

Ok.. Call around again and say to the wife that you are passing it onto a debt collector..see if that works..

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

or try and catch him going in or out of his house by parking up the road, then ask him face to face nicly :sick2:

 

[Fred]

I tell ALL my customers the day I complete is pay day. I stand there until I get the cash/cheque.

I've had a few who say they will send it to me in the post, OK I say, I will just stand here until I get the dosh, any how , in my palm.

Look mate, you have to be firm and tell them the facts of life. Your tiling to make a living, its not that much dosh. I work for many builders, and they know I want paying.

I recently worked for a famous POP / ROCK lead singer, I had to wait until after the weekend to get the cheque, thats OK, a day or so.

Be firm, I know its hard, but you are trying to make a living.

I tell ALL customersw, work complete, they are happy, payment.

 

[david campbell]

i would send a recorded delivery letter with the amount due and the date you want it settled for with the understanding if it's not paid court action and costs will be imminent.if still no reply at you will know if he's received the bill and can pursue it throughthe courts

 

[marbleman]

i hate it when people dont pay, if they are happy then there is no reason not to pay, just shows dont trust anyone.

 

[doug boardley]

On the rare occasion when I feel I'm gonna struggle with a payment, I shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well, I do pay my bank to recover eventualities like this", it's amazing how quick they find their cheque book:smilewinkgrin:

 

[lcjohno]

i've just had a customer who was slow to pay, said she would send the cheque in the post straight away as i finished the job when she was out and posted the keys. She never answered my calls but would send me a text that it was in the post and couldn't answer the call. After 4 weeks i just went round after ringing her twice that day, she answered the door and said she had just seen the missed calls and the cheque was sent that day. I got it the day after but i dont think i would of without going round.

Some people just dont understand, ask them how they would feel if there boss decided to give them their wages a few weeks late, THEY WOULD BE KICKING OFF!!

 

[White Room]

Quote;Some people just dont understand, ask them how they would feel if there boss decided to give them their wages a few weeks late, THEY WOULD BE KICKING OFF!!

Truer word ever said mate

 

[SandyFloor]

I've only had this a couple of times and both times it was down to their funds running out at the end of an extension being built. Usually tiling or flooring etc. is towards the end of the works and many customers fail to leave flexibility in their budgets. On both occasions it was a case of waiting till their next pay day which wasn't ideal but I got it.

I think the main thing is to establish contact non aggresively and see if they are having problems of any kind and if you're the only one who is owed as it may be a case of he who shouts loudest.

 

[CDS]

If you've followed up by phone I think a 'polite but firm' letter is the way forward. Had a couple of 'non payers' and a decent letter has always got me payment inside a week. If you want help drafting something PM me and I'll send you something you could use Chris

 

[redlee]

Thankfully i've not been messed about for a couple of years but i think anyone that does this to a tradesmen has a lot of experience of trying it on and sometimes getting away with it. The threat of letters and court doesn't worry them in the slightest because they know how much of a drawn out toothless system it is and that it costs you money. After you've tried the polite approach and its clear they have little intention of paying what you're owed you need to let them know you want/need the money and wont forget about it (still being polite) tell them that you are selling the debt to a private firm of bailiffs at the end of the day if not paid in full. I regularly get calls from a firm in Liverpool offering to buy anything outstanding.