Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Moderator David@stives on January 29, 2011, 09:30:32 am

Title: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Moderator David@stives on January 29, 2011, 09:30:32 am

I have a national company who owes me megabucks, has anyone on here been in that situation and how did you handle it. They are putting one obsticle after another in the way of payment.


I would be interested to hear from some of the larger window cleaning companies.

Also at what stage can you apply the 8% for small business late payment.

I know I will get some money eventually, They will find ways to wriggle out of some of the payments

 This is giving me serious stress

please feel free to email or call

Cheers Dave



Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: bobby p on January 29, 2011, 09:47:09 am
heres an idea i got from an experienced man  -use GREED to lure them into paying .


   this was what happened to me in a previous biz- a guy owed a packet to me  so  i lured him by offering him a whole bunch of stuff at rockbottom price ,but casually mentioned could he pay me the bit already owed first. worked a treat !
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on January 29, 2011, 09:54:21 am
if dave's asking for advise
the company arnt for paying
could it be a company i know well
who used to pay on time n now pay
in bits n drabs ???
il be interested in the outcome cuz im in the
same boat dave !!!!!
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: windowcleaninginessex.co.uk on January 29, 2011, 09:56:07 am
Dave,
I had this a few years ago, I had to go see my bank manager for an overdraft as I was owed loads.
He told me about the interest late payment charge, but he did say be cautious as if you bill them  the charge , the company that owe, might look somewhere alse for their work to be done and then take the pee out of the next contractor aswell.
Lets face it we mean nothing to them and there will be many willing to take on the work.
I didn't charge the company owing me I just upped the phone calls to every day,weathered the storm and eventually got paid
Darren
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Andy@w.c.s on January 29, 2011, 09:59:11 am
Hi Dave
In a previous life i was owed About 10 k retention on cleaning we had done ,
we had finished for the builder and it was just not being paid , so had a word with my solicitor and he sent them one letter got my money on the next cheque run  ;D

if its over i think 1k you can write and inform them that unless you are paid you will take legal actoin and apply to the courts to have there account frozen

you would need to see if that is still relevent but it worked for me in the 80s

just a thought  ;D
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: windowcleaninginessex.co.uk on January 29, 2011, 10:03:08 am
Dave as I already stated, you need to be carefull threatening solicitors letters and late payment charges may just push them on to the next contractor,
darren
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Moderator David@stives on January 29, 2011, 10:09:18 am
Darren

I am 100% finished with the company, All I want is my dosh
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: formb on January 29, 2011, 10:12:58 am
Speak to your solicitor.

It'll probably cost a few bob to get a letter sent out.  >:(
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on January 29, 2011, 10:15:38 am
Darren

I am 100% finished with the company, All I want is my dosh

are they fr cardiff dave
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Kate2 on January 29, 2011, 10:15:38 am
I dont think a solicitor is necessary at this stage, somebody who is qualified in credit control and debt management initially

Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Moderator David@stives on January 29, 2011, 10:17:37 am
No its not Cardiff
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on January 29, 2011, 10:22:47 am
No its not Cardiff

phew thank god for that  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: dai on January 29, 2011, 10:42:05 am
Dave check out this link.

http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bizlettersamples/a/debtcollection.htm
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: PAIN IN THE GLASS on January 29, 2011, 12:11:33 pm
When i do work for big companies I always invoice for payment witin 28days. At the bottom of my invoice I always state a late payment penalty of 20%.
After the 28 days I will phone and speak to the person who authorises payment, then to the person who writes cheques or deals with bank transfers Stating that they have the 28days and a 20% charge will be added if not paid within 7days.
if you still haven't recieved payment send a letter with copy of invoice stating that you will handling this over to dept recoverey agent if payment hasn't been made in another 7days sating that this could harm your credit rating for the future.
They soon pay then chap...But does take time though.
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: D woods on January 29, 2011, 12:43:51 pm
Hi Dave

I have been in that situation before give me a phone call and I will talk you through what to do.
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: windowcleaninginessex.co.uk on January 29, 2011, 05:02:13 pm
Darren

I am 100% finished with the company, All I want is my dosh

Dave,
 if this is the case,
send new invoice, with final demand    and  if bill not paid in seven days interest to be added written on it,
if no good send the next bill with interest on, with to be paid with in seven days
If no good you have no choice but go to a collection agency with the final invoice owed including the interest
Darren
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 29, 2011, 05:11:34 pm
i wouldnt go down the legal rout finish with them and collect the money if you can or a debt collection service are they giving more then 90 days or 60
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Andrew Willis on January 29, 2011, 06:02:40 pm

I have a national company who owes me megabucks, has anyone on here been in that situation and how did you handle it. They are putting one obsticle after another in the way of payment.


I would be interested to hear from some of the larger window cleaning companies.

Also at what stage can you apply the 8% for small business late payment.

I know I will get some money eventually, They will find ways to wriggle out of some of the payments

 This is giving me serious stress

please feel free to email or call

Cheers Dave







Dave

If I can help will gladly have some input

Questions

Your client, are they

Property owner, Duty holder
Managing Agent
A principle Contractor

Different approach for all

If it’s the later

As you will be aware they will be under a contract with built in payment terms and they should offer up same for you

Do you no who their client is…Managing Agent

Give me a call Monday     

Dave Woods also is a good guy to talk to as both Dave and Paul have played the game for many years
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Archer on January 29, 2011, 08:33:41 pm

Dave,



If they are NOT doing a good job, so i reckon if it is, the main client wont pay.

Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: George P on January 30, 2011, 08:47:31 pm
if you do go down the solicitor route, i know a good one if needed, just let me know,
cheers george
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Leeroy on January 30, 2011, 10:07:52 pm
If your owed money and they are overdue, you think they can pay but wont, you dont want to work fpr them anymore then I suggest to save costs.

Go online to https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

This is online court service.

If they are Limited register your claim with their registered address if sole trader register it against home address.

This being the reason that they may not notice you have done it and if they dont respond you can register a CCJ against them and send in baliffs.

It takes about 14 days plus 5 days service (post) and will cost you depending on debt very little.

Dont let them mug you off anylonger. Its your money you done the work and it should be in your bank.

You can go online and do it tonight all you need is the amount and a brief history of how it come to this situation. Save the invoices until you get to court which never happens.

Some say this is ruthless but I dont get out of bed and work for free and non payers need to stop taking the mick out of us who are just trying to get by.
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Leeroy on January 30, 2011, 10:10:41 pm
Another option is a statutory demand

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/legal_issues_explained/statutory_demand.php#WhatIsAStatutoryDemand

Its more of a bluff as it is costly to follow through. But if they owe the moeny fill in the form and make a big thing of handing it over it gives the company 21 days to respond with a good reason or the courts will wind up the company.

But you can always try this and if fails then go to small claims court as above.
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Seers on January 30, 2011, 10:41:52 pm
Hi Dave,

I would also recommend www.moneyclaim.gov.uk

We've used it many times to great effect, even with the biggest of outfits. Noone likes a claim against their name, we've often had the cheque the same day.

Cheers,

Huw
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: Pj on January 30, 2011, 11:13:28 pm
How late is the payment, Dave?

The amount isnt important.  But the overdue date is.  Best practise is; Go and visit unannounced.  It doesn't matter who you meet initially, just get in to speak to the right people politely.  If they're not there then you go back, it depends on how big the debt, but you go back personally, and promptly, you may be getting in before the receivers do. 
Always politely, with all your paperwork intact, seek the person who issues the purchase order, seek the individual who authorises the work, seek the person who pays the cheque.  Follow this as far as you possibly can personally before you seek any other help.  Don't be fooled into thinking that paid legal or strong arm help wil be more diligent than you in seeking your rightful payment.  They too only want your money.
I have only lost £400 in 25 years.

 8) ;)
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: godzilla on January 31, 2011, 09:59:00 pm
dave its greg penryn windows phone please ive lost your number 07837959218 .
Title: Re: Need advice Late Payment
Post by: bobplum on February 01, 2011, 04:35:15 pm
Darren

I am 100% finished with the company, All I want is my dosh

then small claims court,first thing tomorrow or tonight online then get on with your life