[Kev Martin]

There is no need to write any debt off regardless of how small.  Essentially if you enter into a contract written or verbal with a customer and the service / job is performed as requested then you should be paid.  If you don't get paid t is tantamount to theft in my opinion whether it's is a £5 or £5000.  There are professional scammers out there who rely on certain traders writing small amounts off.   I pay all my debts on or before time and I expect the same from my customers, I don't think that is too much to ask is it?

[Dry Clean]

50% willing to write off the debt.

How many other industries would you think the write off rate is that high??

My guess is none.

You didn't put an amount on your poll, I ticked the write it off which would obviously depend on the amount owed.

[John Mart]

50% willing to write off the debt.

How many other industries would you think the write off rate is that high??

My guess is none.

You didn't put an amount on your poll, I ticked the write it off which would obviously depend on the amount owed.

Same. £20 you basically have to write off if no payment is received after a letter before action is ignored.

[Soupy]

50% willing to write off the debt.

How many other industries would you think the write off rate is that high??

My guess is none.

You didn't put an amount on your poll, I ticked the write it off which would obviously depend on the amount owed.

You should open a shop.

I'd be a regular.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Big well done to those who have gone out there way to win a debt battle.  It will help our industry out to stop those few rogue customers who rip off window cleaners.

If you just write it off then they win the battle and make you look like a mug.   They then move onto another windy to try the same stunt as they know it works and carry on down the line until they are pulled down the legal route with huge extra costs by a windy who stands his ground and makes the cust think twice about doing it again.

If you lazily write them off then you're not just letting yourself down you're letting the rest of us down too.  Man up, regardless of the amount as its about principle.

[John Mart]

50% willing to write off the debt.

How many other industries would you think the write off rate is that high??

My guess is none.

You didn't put an amount on your poll, I ticked the write it off which would obviously depend on the amount owed.

You should open a shop.

I'd be a regular.

That's very good! 

[Perfect Windows]

It's not about the principle, it's about the gamble.

If I need to spend a couple of hours of my life and risk losing a minimum half day's earnings if they defend all the way to court (for say £20) it's daft to chase the debt.

The same effort for a £5,000 debt would be a different story.

Vin

[Soupy]

It's not about the principle, it's about the gamble.

If I need to spend a couple of hours of my life and risk losing a minimum half day's earnings if they defend all the way to court (for say £20) it's daft to chase the debt.

The same effort for a £5,000 debt would be a different story.

Vin

I fully agree.

Just annoying though innit? If we all took a zero tolerance approach perhaps it'd happen less often.

I ask again

50% willing to write off the debt.

How many other industries would you think the write off rate is that high??

[Perfect Windows]

In skyscraper construction primary contractors, 0%
In individual pea sales, 100%

Vin

[Missing Link]

You've got a big operation, Soups, so I bet you get a lot more than the average sole trader's share of debtors.

And if you've got wages that need to be paid on time, I can understand why you've a less tolerant attitude than someone like me, who would be too lazy to go chasing up debtors.

One thing I do is make sure I have some kind of 'direct' contact details; facebook (easy to find if I have their name) or mobile or home phone number and I'll message, text or phone them.

The only debtor I can remember getting narky with was a Russian lady, big posh house, who only paid after two cleans after I messaged her via facebook, which was becoming a regular occurance.  The last time I did this she complained that we'd only spent 'five minutes' at her house and the job wasn't as good as what it once was (which was probably true if I'm to be honest; we do splash 'n' dash), and I took that on the chin.

But when I checked the payment she'd only paid for one clean. 

I just dropped the account without telling her.

[dazmond]

There is no need to write any debt off regardless of how small.  Essentially if you enter into a contract written or verbal with a customer and the service / job is performed as requested then you should be paid.  If you don't get paid t is tantamount to theft in my opinion whether it's is a £5 or £5000.  There are professional scammers out there who rely on certain traders writing small amounts off.   I pay all my debts on or before time and I expect the same from my customers, I don't think that is too much to ask is it?

what happens when they die owing you money?a customer of mine died a few weeks ago.apparently she was dead for 3 or 4 weeks before anyone noticed...poor woman.....should i try and get a family member to cough up?......no ill write it off......

[dazmond]

Big well done to those who have gone out there way to win a debt battle.  It will help our industry out to stop those few rogue customers who rip off window cleaners.

If you just write it off then they win the battle and make you look like a mug.   They then move onto another windy to try the same stunt as they know it works and carry on down the line until they are pulled down the legal route with huge extra costs by a windy who stands his ground and makes the cust think twice about doing it again.

If you lazily write them off then you're not just letting yourself down you're letting the rest of us down too.  Man up, regardless of the amount as its about principle.

i really cant be arsed chasing small debts after a while so i write it off...its only very small amounts....it makes me feel better too.......this year its around £25.......2 of them are dead customers! (i shot them both for non payment!)

[The Jester of Wibbly]

There is no need to write any debt off regardless of how small.  Essentially if you enter into a contract written or verbal with a customer and the service / job is performed as requested then you should be paid.  If you don't get paid t is tantamount to theft in my opinion whether it's is a £5 or £5000.  There are professional scammers out there who rely on certain traders writing small amounts off.   I pay all my debts on or before time and I expect the same from my customers, I don't think that is too much to ask is it?

what happens when they die owing you money?a customer of mine died a few weeks ago.apparently she was dead for 3 or 4 weeks before anyone noticed...poor woman.....should i try and get a family member to cough up?......no ill write it off......

If they die simply let it go out of respect. I had a few this year already, sad really.  Family were so grateful.

[alank]

I would never chase a customer's family for a window cleaning bill after they had just lost a loved one. I would show them a bit of respect. Had some customer's on the books for years and over that time have paid every month without fail say £20 a month for 15 years so they have paid over £3,500 for my services over that time I don't think I would chase down that last twenty quid as I wouldn't want my existing customers to think I was like that.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I would never chase a customer's family for a window cleaning bill after they had just lost a loved one. I would show them a bit of respect. Had some customer's on the books for years and over that time have paid every month without fail say £20 a month for 15 years so they have paid over £3,500 for my services over that time I don't think I would chase down that last twenty quid as I wouldn't want my existing customers to think I was like that.

Agree.

It hits me hard when I hear news of a customer passing away.  Also had a few who had their spouse die too which was always upsetting when being informed by the widow

I remember one customer family member congratulating me for letting the bill go out of respect.  They told me most big companies like sky and mobile providers still expecded contract term to be paid.

Goes to show its the small local traders that are more personable

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

We put the muck back on the windows now did 14 last year and 8 this year so far ,

You get a massive kick out of doing it and as if yet not one of them have dared come and and say anything

The lads now look forward to doing it as they get a great laff out of it

[John Mart]

We put the muck back on the windows now did 14 last year and 8 this year so far ,

You get a massive kick out of doing it and as if yet not one of them have dared come and and say anything

The lads now look forward to doing it as they get a great laff out of it

I think you ought to change your staff if they get a kick out of it. If I asked one of mine to do that I’d expect him to refuse to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the sentiment, but you shouldn’t ask employees to act in that way. You should do it yourself if you think it’s the right approach.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

https://youtu.be/RcxILlCcoB4

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

We put the muck back on the windows now did 14 last year and 8 this year so far ,

You get a massive kick out of doing it and as if yet not one of them have dared come and and say anything

The lads now look forward to doing it as they get a great laff out of it

I think you ought to change your staff if they get a kick out of it. If I asked one of mine to do that I’d expect him to refuse to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the sentiment, but you shouldn’t ask employees to act in that way. You should do it yourself if you think it’s the right approach.

My staff are all family members now and they volunteer to do it

They hate theifing scum which theses people are at the end of the day when you boil everything down to it

As a family run company your not only ripping me off but your taking food of my family's table and money from there wage packets , I can't get my head round people on here just letting them get away with it ,

Would the same people just let someone run down the street after pinching there slx out the van Saying oh I can't be bothered ? Or would you run after them and crown them over the head with it ?

[Soupy]

In skyscraper construction primary contractors, 0%
In individual pea sales, 100%

Vin

I've been chased by large companies for small amounts before. Not for individual peas mind but they'd almost certainly be losing money taking me to court.

It's not about the principle, it's about the gamble.

Risk going to court, losing and ruining your credit rating or pay the £20