Clean It Up

UK Contract Cleaning Forum => Contract Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Anna Warren on March 28, 2014, 04:37:21 pm

Title: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Anna Warren on March 28, 2014, 04:37:21 pm: I had unsuccessful week : two of my customers died :o :( Very sad :'(.
One of them has been served by my cleaner and I visited them every two weeks to collect a payment. Person , who died was an elderly lady, but her husband is still there, I'm not sure will he carry on service though. So far , lady's son told my cleaner not to come and he'll call again , if needed.
I accept the tragedy and I don't want to sound pushy, but there's an outstanding balance due here and I don't want to be out of pocket. I don't know , how to approach it?
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Neil Jones on March 28, 2014, 10:55:48 pm: I'd give it a couple of week and then just send a polite letter saying I understand you don't require the service anymore it was a pleasure working for you bla bla bla however there is still an outstanding invoice due so would you be so kind as to settle this.
Add the reason why you left it x amount of time as you thought it was insensitive and wanted to allow the family to grieve.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Anna Warren on March 29, 2014, 03:35:40 pm: Thanks for reply. I'll leave it for now and I'll do it.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: bobplum on March 31, 2014, 07:27:27 pm: Quote from: Anna Warren on March 29, 2014, 03:35:40 pm
Thanks for reply. I'll leave it for now and I'll do it.

How much
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Anna Warren on March 31, 2014, 07:37:38 pm: £70
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: BDCS on April 03, 2014, 10:17:45 am: Get them to have a whip round at the funeral :'(
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Griffus on April 03, 2014, 08:35:29 pm: I'd seriously consider writing this off. Rather than look at the charge I'd look at the cost. What price dignity?

If it were hundreds or thousands I'd say differently but not for this.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Deep Cleaning Solutions on April 03, 2014, 11:13:38 pm: It's amazing how people think differently.
I would not even of thought of trying to recoup the £70, but I'm probably too soft!
If it was enough to hurt my cash flow I probably would though.

In your line of work it may happen many times,
so it may be worth looking at how you get paid,
so that you maybe are a month or week in front and not out of pocket.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Anna Warren on April 04, 2014, 10:35:25 pm: I was thinking about writing it off , but my company is very little, I employ only four people, all part time. It makes difference to me. Funeral is next week. I know is strange and sad situation, it was a lovely lady.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: dustee on April 04, 2014, 11:36:52 pm: Why wright it off its a business your running
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: BDCS on April 05, 2014, 08:03:34 pm: Never heard of an undertaker writing the bill off just because the customer snuffed it - Get your silly soft bottom round there and hold your hand out ::)roll
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Andy_MK on April 17, 2014, 09:11:41 am: Give it a month then send a bill.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: newbroom on April 17, 2014, 06:10:56 pm: I agree with Griffin right the money off. Send a polite letter offering commiserations stating monies are not owed. The goodwill from this gesture is worth more than £70
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Anna Warren on April 22, 2014, 09:02:55 pm: Update.
I went on funeral with the cleaner and flowers. I found out elderly gentleman will live at a care home from now, reasonable solution . His son approached me and asked about any money owed. He gave me his address and told me to send a bill. I received a cheque a few days ago, just cashed.
Thanks for all replies.
Title: Re: Customer died, outstanding balance
Post by: Neil Jones on April 23, 2014, 07:39:05 pm: Decent people will always pay up, how many of us would never dream of just ignoring a bill regardless of what happened. Glad you got paid.