Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: barry71 on October 16, 2013, 07:25:00 pm

Title: hall of shame
Post by: barry71 on October 16, 2013, 07:25:00 pm
Thinking of compiling a hall of shame for EX- customers that seem to think they can use and abuse the window cleaner by this I mean not paying for the service provided. This has been a problem for me (as I'm sure it as for you guys) since the day I started 24 yrs ago. Lets just say that if I was to recover every hard earned penny that was owing to me that ive had to write of over the years im pretty sure I could retire.
Giving each owing customer ample time to pay their bill, putting a invoice through the door, telephoning, leaving voicemails, dropping them a text, emailing them that's pretty much all you can do, so why not compile a hall of shame and posting it on facebook. Does anyone of you guys know if there is any legally implications in doing this
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: bobplum on October 16, 2013, 07:43:06 pm
this was tried a few months back
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: barry71 on October 16, 2013, 07:49:28 pm
and?
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: TheWindowManChris on October 16, 2013, 08:13:49 pm
Barry71 - DO NOT DO IT.    Just looks really bad for you.

What I do is Send them once I done all the kind and always on last kind notice I say 'Failure to pay this invoice will result in this being handled by our Debt Management Firm'

I then issue them following
1st Stage - Informing them they have a outstanding invoice due and needs paid within 14 working days and sheet from CAB office on managing your money + plus notice that I will start adding late penalty fee if not paid after the 14th

Phone Call - Remind I need paid

2nd Stage - 2nd warning to instruct them that payment is require or I will be instruction of 'XYZ Debt Management'  If they do not pay within 7 working days + added a £15 admin fee

Phone Call - Remind again and explain they need to pay

FINAL Notice - Inform them that if they do NOT come up with a payment arrangement by X date then I will instruct XYZ Debt Management to collect payment plus outline there costs.

Phone Call - Remind payment is outstanding and if they don't pay then I say 'This will not be passed over to them'

I have a local Debt Management firm who does this stuff but they are really good and as soon they get it.  They call to try make arrangement of some type or other.
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: bobplum on October 16, 2013, 08:13:55 pm
WELL, i would imagine it didnt work because your on here suggesting it ??? :D
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: brynley on October 16, 2013, 08:35:37 pm
i have used Thomas Higgins twice recently@£2.40 for a letter before action , the first did not respond to any reminders etc, but paid up and apologies for being late, the second even told me he wasn't paying me and was not happy that he had received a solicitors letter, but paid up.

I will use them again
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: trippyboy on October 16, 2013, 08:35:53 pm
Recently ive been threatning small claims,worked every time,all have paid up within the 7 days given by me  :)
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: Johnny B on October 16, 2013, 08:41:10 pm
I have been turned over more times than I care to remember over the years. I prefer to walk away and write off and trike off any that clearly have no intention of paying, and concentrate my efforts on my good customers.

When all is said and done, it is the ex-customers who ultimately lose out.

John

Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: TheWindowManChris on October 16, 2013, 09:16:40 pm
I have been turned over more times than I care to remember over the years. I prefer to walk away and write off and trike off any that clearly have no intention of paying, and concentrate my efforts on my good customers.

When all is said and done, it is the ex-customers who ultimately lose out.

John



Nah I work on basics if I done work for you I will get paid!   I never write it off however do write it off and getting paid just a wee bit extra good feeling.    As basically all my current good customers need to pay for a bad debtor. 
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: dannymack on October 17, 2013, 06:49:33 am
Bit extreme windowmanchris for a £6 debt pmsl !!!!
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: windiewasher on October 17, 2013, 07:22:39 am
I would love the money im owed from crank custys but in the end i would end up bitter and twisted and probably do something i would regret.
I walk away now as i just dont want the hassle.
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: steve123 on October 17, 2013, 07:57:56 am
this was tried a few months back

I am fairly certain that if you post this kind of information in the public domain you will be breaking the data protection act, not to mention it will destroy your reputation.

The costs to you in the long term could far outweigh any loss from jobs that wont pay.
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: Johnny B on October 17, 2013, 08:23:09 am
I have been turned over more times than I care to remember over the years. I prefer to walk away and write off and trike off any that clearly have no intention of paying, and concentrate my efforts on my good customers.

When all is said and done, it is the ex-customers who ultimately lose out.

John



Nah I work on basics if I done work for you I will get paid!   I never write it off however do write it off and getting paid just a wee bit extra good feeling.    As basically all my current good customers need to pay for a bad debtor. 

I do agree what you say, but the way I look at it is that these people aren't worth me spending any more good money, time and effort on them than I already have. I feel much better just letting them go. They may think they have got one over me, but then they have to find another windy, which isn't easy where I live. 

John
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: Ian101 on October 17, 2013, 08:47:47 am
i had an estate agent go CVA so still trading ... owes me £75 which they planned to pay over 5 years however other people taken for much more like thousands and thousands .... someone else doing their windows now just waiting to see who it is and will tell him they dont pay bills ... everytime i see their shiny clean windows which is every day as I pass their 2 offices i feel like bricking the windows but that was old me so just have to trust in karma what goes around comes around  8)
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: Ian101 on October 17, 2013, 08:48:45 am
for the local lads its Thomas C Adams in Hawarden and Mold  ;)
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: TheWindowManChris on October 17, 2013, 08:03:58 pm
I have been turned over more times than I care to remember over the years. I prefer to walk away and write off and trike off any that clearly have no intention of paying, and concentrate my efforts on my good customers.

When all is said and done, it is the ex-customers who ultimately lose out.

John



Nah I work on basics if I done work for you I will get paid!   I never write it off however do write it off and getting paid just a wee bit extra good feeling.    As basically all my current good customers need to pay for a bad debtor. 

I do agree what you say, but the way I look at it is that these people aren't worth me spending any more good money, time and effort on them than I already have. I feel much better just letting them go. They may think they have got one over me, but then they have to find another windy, which isn't easy where I live. 

John


I work off it as

I currently have 4 non payers and at this moment total of it is around £35 which I want!   For chasing your debt I just charge you for the pleasure due to Scots Law.
Title: Re: hall of shame
Post by: Mr.G on October 17, 2013, 11:46:18 pm
A blacklist of non payers would be ace, it could be a shared thing with local plumbers, decoraters, etc.
main problem is it would probably be abused by people with a grudge.