[SunShineCleaning]

The pregnancy probably heightens her emotions but at the end of the day she won't be whinging to the leccy or gas about not paying and being upset by their reminders will she?

No, but those services are essential, window cleaning is not. I would have cancelled the OP too if I received a text like that.

Ok then hummer, let's say she bought some "non-essential" drinks while on "non-essential" holiday on her credit card or used her "non-essential" phone package - do you think they will let her go a few weeks past payment without charging interest or a few months without taking action?

If you would have cancelled the OP for the text received then I'm sure the OP would have every reason for dropping you as a "non-essential" customer.

The difference is we are not leanding them money, we are selling our time, I'm glad my customers have money and don't really think twice about me, it means they can afford me.

[CLEANCARE WC]

How many acctual 'non-payers' do you really have, All mine will pay up at some point. If you spend all your time chasing the payment you can loose sight of their value.

Almost....Imo if you spend all your time chasing payment the job has no value.

[SunShineCleaning]

How many acctual 'non-payers' do you really have, All mine will pay up at some point. If you spend all your time chasing the payment you can loose sight of their value.

Almost....Imo if you send all your time chasing payment the job has no value.

Maybe. I can't speak for anyone else but my money always turns up, maybe with an odd exception. I just think that you can expend alot of mental energy dealing with things that will come good eventually. I can't see the value in stress like that.

[CLEANCARE WC]

How many acctual 'non-payers' do you really have, All mine will pay up at some point. If you spend all your time chasing the payment you can loose sight of their value.

Almost....Imo if you send all your time chasing payment the job has no value.

Maybe. I can't speak for anyone else but my money always turns up, maybe with an odd exception. I just think that you can expend alot of mental energy dealing with things that will come good eventually. I can't see the value in stress like that.

I think were on the same page here, but customers like that do stress me out. so i have thought of a solution to take the stress away hopefully avoiding dropping the customer.
My mega late payers are getting the option of standing order, 6 cleans up front or goodbye.

[SunShineCleaning]

How many acctual 'non-payers' do you really have, All mine will pay up at some point. If you spend all your time chasing the payment you can loose sight of their value.

Almost....Imo if you send all your time chasing payment the job has no value.

Maybe. I can't speak for anyone else but my money always turns up, maybe with an odd exception. I just think that you can expend alot of mental energy dealing with things that will come good eventually. I can't see the value in stress like that.

I think were on the same page here, but customers like that do stress me out. so i have thought of a solution to take the stress away hopefully avoiding dropping the customer.
My mega late payers are getting the option of standing order, 6 cleans up front or goodbye.

I have about 1/4 now on SO and prob 1/3 who pay within a few days by bank transfer.

The offer of SO for bad payers works for me as well.

[CLEANCARE WC]

I leave an sae with my slip for sending a cheque it also has online payment details on & im noticing more customers paying via online banking which is great.
A few commercials that pay by BACS but I dont currently have any customers on Standing order.

[lee_dewing]

I don't think your actions were too soon or heavy handed. You're running a business, no matter how big or small. Service given, payment expected.

Thanks Chris.

Sunshine cleaning, custie now owes 2 cleans £50. (she was fine until she went credit transfer; out of sight out of mind ).

Sunshine, I can see what your saying and maybe she would of come good eventually, but I look at it this way; would my business be better or worse if all my customers were like this one?

I've been doing this job 7 yrs on my own and did 18 months for another windie.
It's always the custies you least expect become a problem.

As said gradually get serial late payers onto standing order or don't have me.

I don't collect so cash/cheque at the door, or cheque in the s.a.e i leave.
Then I offered payment by credit transfer but still doesn't work as forgetful customers instead of posting cheque forget to transfer funds

Thanks everyone for your opinions much appriciated.

Lee

[Mike #1]

Thanks for the standing order letter info mate . Mike

[lee_dewing]

Your welcome Mike.

Not a new idea s/o's   on here but wish i started years ago.

If late payer won't switch over to this then I know i've done everything I can to keep em.

Because eventually with the late payers you end up having the No it's 2 cleans not 3 window cleaner, or i paid you last time, the list goes on

[home6442]

I wonder how these late payers would feel, if at the end of the week or month
their wages hadnt been paid into their bank accounts.
Clean get paid or no second clean. I would rather lose the price of a clean than
chase after a messer its not worth the hassle and stress.

[lee_dewing]

Well said John.

Or see how far they'd get going out of the supermarket with their weekly shop and saying casualy to security guard  i'l pay you later/next time/i can't find my purse at the mo

[lee_dewing]

Chris P Bacon.

Just wondered i you could give me a  breakdown on how you deal with this situation.

i.e  leave 1st clean bill
leave 2nd clean bill
text 1 or 2 reminders
send invoice
After there that's where i not sure what to do my next step is thomas higgins letter before action letter £2.20

what happens if they don't pay then, do you have a website link that will help me

Must add i haven't sent invoice to this custy she has had 2 of my bill cards with clean dates and money owed.

Was thinkinking she said paymrnt by end of week, will wait til saturday then send invoice recorded delivery.
And monday organise letter before payment.

Any advice Chris as you seem experienced in this problem (not by choice i bet )

Thanks Lee.

[Carl2009]

I've had a few of these, including one who has been in court and still owes me £236 on an original £70 debt.

Tomorrow i'm sending a Thos Higgins letter for another, following the followng red letter I sent (adapt and use if any use)

"Dear Mrs XXXXX

I write concerning the amount of £24 relating to window cleaning services delivered at XXXXXXX on 13th November and 11th December 2012 and which, at the time of writing, remains outstanding.

In addition to leaving bills on the day of each clean and despite our phone conversation last week I have failed to receive your payment.

For the avoidance of doubt below is a schedule of cleans together with the date payment was received for each, taken from my records:

1st Clean 21st July 2012         Paid: 21st July 2012
18th August 2012                        Paid: 18th August 2012
15th September 2012                        Paid: 13th October 2012
13th October 2012                        Paid: 13th October 2012
13th November    2012         Overdue
11th December 2012                        Overdue

It is with regret that I must write to advise you that should I fail to receive payment of £24 before close of business on Monday 14th January I shall be forced to commence legal proceedings for the recovery of the outstanding debt through the County Court via my solicitor, The Thomas Higgins Partnership.

To avoid action payment should be sent by cheque (payable to Red Dragon Window Cleaning) to the address below. If you have sent payment and it has crossed with this letter please ignore this letter. If you have sent a cheque and it has been cashed please contact both myself and your bank as it may have been cashed fraudulently.

I should also like to take this opportunity to advise you that I will unfortunately no longer be able to provide a window cleaning service to you.

Yours sincerely"

She's the first one i've had that claims I either didn't do the clean or didn't leave a slip. Got very shirty, but happily I was polite 

The fact is that if she doesn't pay I don't think i'll be chasing it. The associated costs are too high for such an amount. Mind you it rankles like hell.

I think the OP was a bit hasty. Texting is never a good way to do things as sensitive as this. I always try and speak with them. You never know what is going on in their lives and (much as we might like to think different) we aren't the most important people they know. BACS xfers can take time. I'd have left it a few days then phoned again. Left it a few days then red lettered them. Then failing that, Thos Higgins. After that, well i'd have to think carefully.

For anyone thinking i'm softly softly ask yourself if it (eventually) went to court and you or your solicitor had to stand there (and it can, believe me) and the judge asks you how the contract terms were formed with regards to payment periods / limits would you be able to explain and demonstrate a) what they are, and b) more importantly that you had proof the custie was both made aware of them and accepted them...

All the best - hope you get your money.

[lee_dewing]

Thanks Carl good letter that.

I agree about the standing in front of the judge bit the more professional you look and if you have paper work, notes even kept a diary of events with the custie in question it must put you in a good light.

Otherwise it turns into a punch and judy show "i paid" "oh no you never"

Good luck too getting your money.

This job would be alright if it weren't for the customers and the rain; oh and the snow!