Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: TomCrowther on September 23, 2011, 08:00:53 pm
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I like to give my customers the benefit of the doubt if they miss a payment or two but one customer has pushed it to new limits.
She is now three payments behind which is as far as I am prepared to go. Her dog rips my slips to peices when I post it through the letterbox. Whenever I see the customer in the street she whips out the mobile to take a call {yeah right} and today she came in as I was doing next door but one. I know she saw me, so she had a chance to come over and pay me. Anyway, I went straight over, rang the bell and knocked on the door and no answer. It was literally ten seconds after she entered!
It was toward the end of a frustrating day and I plan to drop her once paid, what would you do to get the cash?
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Kidnap someone close to here and demand a ransmon.
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Keep knocking, don't park your van where she can see it so she will answer the door.
Put a note through her door asking her to leave it with the next but one neighbour and not to worry about explaining it to them, you will let them know she will be leaving a cheque for 3 cleans.
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In order (if unsuccessful try the next on the list and always put a note through)
Knock at teatime
Knock at 8 am Sunday morning if no result put a note through asking her to send a cheque. Write on it that if you don't receive the cheque within 3 days you will assume she will leave money with one of her neighbours and you'll call either side and explain to them why you are calling to collect the money from them.
I would stop there but "some" might suggest:-
Put a placard in her garden saying " Mrs XXXX - bad payer - stiffs window cleaners for £XX!"
I would never egg her windows, return the dirt to her windows, pour quicksetting cement down her drain "to stop the leak". ;D
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davids3511 - great minds think alike about the neighbour eh? ;) You beat me to the post!
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I must be getting soft, I don't even get upset any more. I just drop them and keep cleaning the neighbours, saves me any stress.
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they should change the name of this forum to let me think ???????????
THE WINDOW CLEANERS WINE BAR ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I just want to get paid for services provided, not too much to ask is it? I used to try and guess the reason why they aren't paying but who cares? I think they just choose not to pay and hope you go away, or keep cleaning for nothing? I always pay my bills and expect others to pay mine.
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Whine bar??
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I just want to get paid for services provided, not too much to ask is it? I used to try and guess the reason why they aren't paying but who cares? I think they just choose not to pay and hope you go away, or keep cleaning for nothing? I always pay my bills and expect others to pay mine.
ask her to pay you in kindness
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The Friday Night Winehouse.
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I am seriously tempted to replace the dirt on one ex custy's windows for two unpaid cleans. I still do the flat below hers so it's in my face each time I go there. Some wet mud on an old brush should do it. If she has a go, I will just assume she is complaining about the quality of the clean. She won't have to pay me for it though. I've never done anything remotely like this before and I think "*** to all this stuff about being a pro."
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i hear wax furniture polish spray is the daddy for none payers ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Kidnap someone close to here and demand a ransmon.
Where is it you live, Andy, and why should the OP kidnap someone close to where you live?
Wouldn't it be better if he kidnapped someone whom she knows?
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why dont use just phone her before each clean, get her to leave the money out for every clean. sorted!
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why dont use just phone her before each clean, get her to leave the money out for every clean. sorted!
do you really think that someone who hides from you, and will not answer a door will leave money out because you phoned the night before ::)
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why dont use just phone her before each clean, get her to leave the money out for every clean. sorted!
do you really think that someone who hides from you, and will not answer a door will leave money out because you phoned the night before ::)
if she didnt leave it out then dump!
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i would put a typed letter through telling her that you are cancelling the service due to lack of payment thanks for her custom and you understand that she obviously cannot afford the service and put a total balance now due on it and some payment options it will look more official and mite do the trick sort of like sayin ok i know you dont want the service but you owe this and hopefully this will make her realise that she is a tit your not a muppet and pay you! try it m8 it mite work ???
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i hear wax furniture polish spray is the daddy for none payers ;D ;D ;D ;D
What does that do?? talk to me ;)
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i am sorry i still don't get this three strikes/clean thing surely if customers owe one month don't clean the second time until your paid,i have never had to be in a position were i have dumped a customer because they owe three cleans,one clean yes,no sorry dont get it ???
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Kidnap someone close to here and demand a ransmon.
Where is it you live, Andy, and why should the OP kidnap someone close to where you live?
Wouldn't it be better if he kidnapped someone whom she knows?
I'm in Wisconsin, so that might present a problem for u guys.
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i am sorry i still don't get this three strikes/clean thing surely if customers owe one month don't clean the second time until your paid,i have never had to be in a position were i have dumped a customer because they owe three cleans,one clean yes,no sorry dont get it ???
Exactly, this three cleans and your out rubbish is nonesense. My customers have to pay within 5 days. If payment isnt in by then, the database already flags the account as overdue and a report is generated for chasing. If a further 7 days go by with no payment the account is put on hold, and a letter is sent demanding payment. 30 Days go by and we add interest, permently bar the customer and may even start a small claims filing against them.
Simple.
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Kidnap someone close to here and demand a ransmon.
KILLING THE HUSBAND AND DRIVING OFF WITH HER IN A SPEEDBOAT TO SOMALIA DID THE TRICK FOR ME LAST TIME I HAD A NON PAYER :)
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I like to give my customers the benefit of the doubt if they miss a payment or two but one customer has pushed it to new limits.
She is now three payments behind which is as far as I am prepared to go. Her dog rips my slips to peices when I post it through the letterbox. Whenever I see the customer in the street she whips out the mobile to take a call {yeah right} and today she came in as I was doing next door but one. I know she saw me, so she had a chance to come over and pay me. Anyway, I went straight over, rang the bell and knocked on the door and no answer. It was literally ten seconds after she entered!
It was toward the end of a frustrating day and I plan to drop her once paid, what would you do to get the cash?
To be honest mate, i dont blame her. you need to get your business on track. She isnt a customer, she hasnt paid you, customers are only customers when they pay you.
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the feeling you get when you look at ur sheets and all the custys have paid that day is great, dump the crap and non payers and replace with better
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THATS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY
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Kidnap someone close to here and demand a ransmon.
KILLING THE HUSBAND AND DRIVING OFF WITH HER IN A SPEEDBOAT TO SOMALIA DID THE TRICK FOR ME LAST TIME I HAD A NON PAYER :)
thats outrageous! ;D
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I have never had problems after sending this letter. Payment usualy arrives pretty swiftly. ;D
Dear Sir / Madame
Despite numerous attempts at recovery your debt for our services remains outstanding,
This will be my final request at recovery personally.
If this debt is not cleared within 7 days I am left with no choice but to take further action.
My normal course of action is to first refer the debt to a recovery agency, this will add a cost of £75 to the outstanding amount.
Should they be unsuccessful and fail to settle the arrears then I am left with no choice other than to refer it to Her Majesty’s Court Service.
Please note: Interest will be charged from the date the debt became due as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act 1998.
Additionally we also report any outstanding arrears with credit reference agencies 28 days after the date of this letter, which may affect your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Current outstanding debt £xx.
If you wish to discuss this matter personally please do not hesitate to contact me,
Yours sincerely.
Neil Gornall
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I have never had problems after sending this letter. Payment usualy arrives pretty swiftly. ;D
Dear Sir / Madame
Despite numerous attempts at recovery your debt for our services remains outstanding,
This will be my final request at recovery personally.
If this debt is not cleared within 7 days I am left with no choice but to take further action.
My normal course of action is to first refer the debt to a recovery agency, this will add a cost of £75 to the outstanding amount.
Should they be unsuccessful and fail to settle the arrears then I am left with no choice other than to refer it to Her Majesty’s Court Service.
Please note: Interest will be charged from the date the debt became due as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act 1998.
Additionally we also report any outstanding arrears with credit reference agencies 28 days after the date of this letter, which may affect your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Current outstanding debt £xx.
If you wish to discuss this matter personally please do not hesitate to contact me,
Yours sincerely.
Neil Gornall
I'm not a expert but I do not think this is legal, you have no credit agreement. I currently have a customer who owes me for 2 cleans at £15 each. and I looked into this the other night. You have to have a license to be able to charge interest etc.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/credit-licensing/;jsessionid=2EBBF41E056BDD3678BDF225EC076251
From what I understand it would be illegal to charge interest without a license from the OFT
So what can I do about it.. not a lot I just have to suffer the loss and like everyone else says find a new customer.
I have posted a payment reminder letter but it's nothing like yours.
Dear Customer,
May I remind you that the amounts shown above are overdue for payment.
I would ask that full payment reaches me by the 30th September 2011 to ensure my continued service to you.
Please note that no further reminders will be issued.
I have provided the details of my bank account below, if however you are unable to pay via transfer then please contact me to make arrangements for a cash/cheque collection.
If you are unable to pay or have any queries regarding your account, please contact Lewis Hill
Our line of business relies on trust, you could try and take them to court but then it's your word against theirs and they could just say something like "we never asked you to clean our windows", "we cancel our agreement" and many other things.
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I have never had problems after sending this letter. Payment usualy arrives pretty swiftly. ;D
Dear Sir / Madame
Despite numerous attempts at recovery your debt for our services remains outstanding,
This will be my final request at recovery personally.
If this debt is not cleared within 7 days I am left with no choice but to take further action.
My normal course of action is to first refer the debt to a recovery agency, this will add a cost of £75 to the outstanding amount.
Should they be unsuccessful and fail to settle the arrears then I am left with no choice other than to refer it to Her Majesty’s Court Service.
Please note: Interest will be charged from the date the debt became due as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act 1998.
Additionally we also report any outstanding arrears with credit reference agencies 28 days after the date of this letter, which may affect your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Current outstanding debt £xx.
If you wish to discuss this matter personally please do not hesitate to contact me,
Yours sincerely.
Neil Gornall
I'm not a expert but I do not think this is legal, you have no credit agreement. I currently have a customer who owes me for 2 cleans at £15 each. and I looked into this the other night. You have to have a license to be able to charge interest etc.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/credit-licensing/;jsessionid=2EBBF41E056BDD3678BDF225EC076251
From what I understand it would be illegal to charge interest without a license from the OFT
So what can I do about it.. not a lot I just have to suffer the loss and like everyone else says find a new customer.
I have posted a payment reminder letter but it's nothing like yours.
Dear Customer,
May I remind you that the amounts shown above are overdue for payment.
I would ask that full payment reaches me by the 30th September 2011 to ensure my continued service to you.
Please note that no further reminders will be issued.
I have provided the details of my bank account below, if however you are unable to pay via transfer then please contact me to make arrangements for a cash/cheque collection.
If you are unable to pay or have any queries regarding your account, please contact Lewis Hill
Our line of business relies on trust, you could try and take them to court but then it's your word against theirs and they could just say something like "we never asked you to clean our windows", "we cancel our agreement" and many other things.
I never said anything about it "being legal" all I said was it never fails to work ;D
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Just change the word interest to admin fee.
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Just change the word interest to admin fee.
That's an admin feeing plan Wizkid! ;D
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I have never had problems after sending this letter. Payment usualy arrives pretty swiftly. ;D
Dear Sir / Madame
Despite numerous attempts at recovery your debt for our services remains outstanding,
This will be my final request at recovery personally.
If this debt is not cleared within 7 days I am left with no choice but to take further action.
My normal course of action is to first refer the debt to a recovery agency, this will add a cost of £75 to the outstanding amount.
Should they be unsuccessful and fail to settle the arrears then I am left with no choice other than to refer it to Her Majesty’s Court Service.
Please note: Interest will be charged from the date the debt became due as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act 1998.
Additionally we also report any outstanding arrears with credit reference agencies 28 days after the date of this letter, which may affect your ability to obtain credit in the future.
Current outstanding debt £xx.
If you wish to discuss this matter personally please do not hesitate to contact me,
Yours sincerely.
Neil Gornall
I'm not a expert but I do not think this is legal, you have no credit agreement. I currently have a customer who owes me for 2 cleans at £15 each. and I looked into this the other night. You have to have a license to be able to charge interest etc.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/credit-licensing/;jsessionid=2EBBF41E056BDD3678BDF225EC076251
From what I understand it would be illegal to charge interest without a license from the OFT
So what can I do about it.. not a lot I just have to suffer the loss and like everyone else says find a new customer.
I have posted a payment reminder letter but it's nothing like yours.
Dear Customer,
May I remind you that the amounts shown above are overdue for payment.
I would ask that full payment reaches me by the 30th September 2011 to ensure my continued service to you.
Please note that no further reminders will be issued.
I have provided the details of my bank account below, if however you are unable to pay via transfer then please contact me to make arrangements for a cash/cheque collection.
If you are unable to pay or have any queries regarding your account, please contact Lewis Hill
Our line of business relies on trust, you could try and take them to court but then it's your word against theirs and they could just say something like "we never asked you to clean our windows", "we cancel our agreement" and many other things.
Erm no this is legal, but you have to show that they were aware of the terms when taking the service, you can charge interest in accordance with the late payment of commercial debts regulations 2002 only when 30 days are elapsed. You do not need credit licence for this, just proof the customer was aware of the conditions in the first place, these regulations are for all small enterprises to use, its within the law, and is provided by the government to encorage prompt payment.
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it is easier just to not do a clean till they have paid for the last one
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I thought that only applied to b2b
I'm going to read this
http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file37581.pdf
In the introduction it does say "Public Sector"
Like I say I'm no expert and would love to find a way to force payment and even charge interest for those who don't want to pay.
I've only been self employed since November 2009 and been knocked a few times.
I've been a window cleaner since 1996 and always worked for others and always been paid, never really took an interest in what goes on behind the scenes.
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i am sorry i still don't get this three strikes/clean thing surely if customers owe one month don't clean the second time until your paid,i have never had to be in a position were i have dumped a customer because they owe three cleans,one clean yes,no sorry dont get it ???
If like me your round is mostly domestic and you go collecting, you can't expect everyone to stay in until their window cleaner comes knocking.I will try their house once,if they are out I will double it up next time,if it is beginning to mount up I will then leave a note with bank details or address to send a cheque.If I was to refuse to clean a property that was 1 payment behind,the only person that would suffer would be me due to my workload and income for the month being greatly reduced.I would rather run the risk of being stung by the odd customer than miss out a lot of work.
Everybodys round is different tho,but this is what works best for mine.
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very good letter but would it be worth the hassel if it was a ten quid? job just get rid simples
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i dont get stressed from a rouge customer not paying me anymore. If they look like they won't pay, i ring them, ask for the money, if i get some fob off, I just tell them to keep it and go buy themselves something nice on me as they sound like they need the money more than me. I feel that way i'm patronizing them as opposed to getting mad. They may wonder then about how scummy us cleaners really are :P
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i agree steve.i never get all my money in.debt is part and parcel of running a business.i go to 2 cleans without payment,sometimes 3 then no more until payment.if they keep dragging their heels then they get dumped.ive been stung a few times over the years but its only small amounts.luckily for me most of my customers pay in reasonable time.i know the ex customers who owe me though from years ago(and the amounts!!)i never forget! ;D ;D ;D
most of us weed out bad payers pretty quickly.when you have a large round its no problem at all!! ;D ;D