Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:18:35 am

Title: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:18:35 am
Finally after 2 years got my first proper bad debtor  :o

Have a cul de sac of small houses which I clean 4 of them every 2 months at a tenner.

Cleaned this particular person early November but she also wanted small conny roof doing so £40 all in.

No payment by late November so sent her a text reminder and got text back early December saying been unwell etc etc not at home at moment but will sort asap.

Jan no payment so missed hers out and done others on cul de sac and posted thru a reminder slip ... her windows were minging.

Feb no payment.

Cleaned cul de sac again yesterday ... skipped hers again and posted another reminder and noticed all her windows now gleaming  :o ... sent her another text ... no reply yet.

Will call her before weekend if no response.

If I take to small claims I have all the old texts as proof regarding her wanting work done and prices etc etc.

Sure shes got another windie and can imagine how it went "oh the old one just stopped coming"  :( :( :(

If no joy by next week will be sending one of those higgons letters for £2.50 .... anyone got a link ?
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: dazmond on March 22, 2012, 08:30:00 am
if i clean a customers conny roof and windows as a yearly clean together i expect to get paid within 2 weeks.its gone on far too long ian.dont text her!PHONE HER UP!!or you need to knock her door and speak to her face to face.remember never lose your temper with a customer.once paid then tell her why you wont be cleaning hers again cool and calmly.


best wishes


dazmond
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: bobby p on March 22, 2012, 08:33:05 am
vistaprint do official looking (one has a shield at the top)  headed notepaper ,and matching security envelopes . i took advantage of one of their special offers and iv only sent out 1 last year but it worked like a dream on somebody who wouldnt answer the door to me.
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:35:26 am
if i clean a customers conny roof and windows as a yearly clean together i expect to get paid within 2 weeks.its gone on far too long ian.dont text her!PHONE HER UP!!or you need to knock her door and speak to her face to face.remember never lose your temper with a customer.once paid then tell her why you wont be cleaning hers again cool and calmly.


best wishes


dazmond

yup ur right gone on too long but didnt want to hassle her if she was genuine ill ... the 2 month frequency not helped but still too long .... was going to let it go until I seen the minging windows were now gleaming
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:36:26 am
upon reflection she will get a doorstep visit Friday at 8am
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:37:17 am
vistaprint do official looking (one has a shield at the top)  headed notepaper ,and matching security envelopes . i took advantage of one of their special offers and iv only sent out 1 last year but it worked like a dream on somebody who wouldnt answer the door to me.

just ordered leaflets from vista dint see that but cheers will take a look
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: andyM on March 22, 2012, 08:37:43 am
Obviously got your head screwed on Ian by not continuing to clean after not receiving payment.
Thats exactly what I do, if they don't pay they don't get cleaned next time round.
It never ceases to amaze me how some windies continue to clean month in month out without getting paid (unless an agreement is in place).
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:40:15 am
Obviously got your head screwed on Ian by not continuing to clean after not receiving payment.
Thats exactly what I do, if they don't pay they don't get cleaned next time round.
It never ceases to amaze me how some windies continue to clean month in month out without getting paid (unless an agreement is in place).

learnt from this very forum .... why work when no payment ?? madness .............. go onto next customer who does pay.

Used to run 3 strikes and your out ... now got zero tolerence for any messing ... some may say too harsh but works for me and leaves dross for other windies to pick up  ;)
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: andyM on March 22, 2012, 08:42:18 am
Same as you mate.
Customers usually respect you for it aswell.  ;)
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 08:43:34 am
I have a few call night befores due to access issues and used to get the odd "leave it this time" so again learned off this forum my stock reply is call me if you want to go back onto round and will see if I can fit you in.

Works wonders.
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Londoner on March 22, 2012, 09:05:25 am
If you do 4 in the cul de sac ask the neighbours about her surely? They will know
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 09:08:46 am
If you do 4 in the cul de sac ask the neighbours about her surely? They will know

one of them where no one ever in ... but good point Vin
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Dave. on March 22, 2012, 09:30:24 am
Ian, I'd not heard of the letter you mentioned - I think this it though?

http://www.thomashiggins.com/pages/letter_before_action.aspx

good luck

Dave
Title: Re: Bad debtor !
Post by: Ian101 on March 22, 2012, 09:54:32 am
Ian, I'd not heard of the letter you mentioned - I think this it though?

http://www.thomashiggins.com/pages/letter_before_action.aspx

good luck

Dave

Cheers Dave ... thats the one