Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 04:22:24 pm

Title: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 04:22:24 pm

Travelled 15 miles to do a suite yesterday, did the job (top job too) and the bloke just stood there and said my cheque hasn't cashed and I cant pay!

To cut a long story short, this guy had no intentions of paying, was stringing me along and after some very heated moments I thought it was best I drive away otherwise he could have been wearing the sofa, never felt rage like that in my life.

I know this bloke will never pay, I should have realised something wasn't right as he didn't even have a TV or anything whatsoever of value in the flat, is flat mate also told me just before I left, he does this all the time!

Question is, what do i do now, I wont let it drop as its £125.00, will going through the small claims route eventually get the money or is it a wate of time.

Phil

Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Mike Osbourne on April 19, 2007, 04:54:40 pm
These people ain't got anything so yes waste of time.

I'm sure you have a friend of a friend who could have a quiet word on your behalf. Those amongst us with borderline disorders will hope he can't pay up. ;)
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: stevegunn on April 19, 2007, 05:09:50 pm
The boys are coming down your neck of the woods on Sunday 6th May we could always have a quiet word ;D ;)

Other than that https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: ianharper on April 19, 2007, 05:23:32 pm
Phil

i heard a funny story about his type of thing and they carpet just said well then i will not spray the neutralizer on it then, as i have to wait some time before it can be done that's why i pack away and ask for payment. soon paid up

its always a good idea to take before and after photos for your website and for this type of thing as then they can be used in court and he cant say that you did a poop job.

or lots of we site that do some great fun revenge stuff

Respect, and good luck

Ian Harper
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 05:24:04 pm
Steve,

It's coincidence, but the job was in Luton, one of the few I do there.

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: homenclean on April 19, 2007, 05:31:12 pm
They dont call the guy Parsa do they?

This fellow did it to me.

john
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 05:47:34 pm
They dont call the guy Parsa do they?

This fellow did it to me.

john

Eh? ???

You in Luton>

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Mike Halliday on April 19, 2007, 05:49:11 pm
in the end you've lost out, you ain't going to get your money.

the time to get violent about it has gone, if you where going to smack him you would have done it there and then.

he's probably up to his neck in CCJs so taking him to the small claims court is a waste of time.

go round and chuck paint stripper over his car

Mike
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 05:56:58 pm

This has never happend to me before Mike, I just knew that being violent would land me in big trouble, I thought about taking cushions out and rubbing them in soil, but would probably be done for damaging his property.

Anyway, it's too late now I have just filed a court claim, like you say it's probably not worth it.

There really should be a law in place where they just have to pay, even if it comes out of their benefit payments directly to the claiment.

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: stevegunn on April 19, 2007, 05:57:23 pm
Steve,

It's coincidence, but the job was in Luton, one of the few I do there.

Phil


10 hairy arsed drunk mackems knocking on his door Sunday morning may have the desired effect
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Liahona on April 19, 2007, 06:11:27 pm
Phil, I had a job like this years ago.  The client didnt want to pay so I deposited my waste tank back in the room I had cleaned.  It was a sewer back up job too.

If she wasnt going to pay me for cleaning it up then at that stage it wasnt mine to take away.  So I didnt.  Too late for you now but if there is a next time......... Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Terry_Burrows on April 19, 2007, 06:16:45 pm
its best if you can just a quick word before you start,drop a hint about money or you have got the cash :-\ if you have any doubts at all,one job some time ago,went into the home he conned over the phone,it was much bigger than he said,he had a merc attitude stunk,I said this is far more than you said,he said
how much more,I told him he huffed and puffed ::)then I said what is that pointing to the carpet,meaning a stain,he said its carpet,I said you go  :-X :-X
yourself and get some one else,out I went ;D if I did the job I would have got aggro big time,which would have meant I proberbly stuck one on him,not worth it
dont do it ;D

forgot to say he was loaded
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Aquakleen Restoration Services on April 19, 2007, 07:20:29 pm
Thats disgusting and it has never happened to me but I really feel sorry for you m8. People like that are the scum. You did the correct thing not belting him one and putting in a claim at the Goverment website. That should frighten him in to coughing up! I know it has worked for me!!
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 07:26:53 pm

It has to happen to you to realise what its like, spending 3.5 hours grafting, fuel for a 30 mile round trip, fuel for the TM just to leave with nothing.

Feels really odd and you drive home stunned. :(

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: David_Annable on April 19, 2007, 07:35:22 pm
Hi

Try to rise above it Phil.

These people are a waste of space.

Dave

PS £125 you robbin b*****d.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Dean Haywood on April 19, 2007, 08:00:05 pm
Phil,

we are based in Luton but do very, very little work in the town itself, mainly because of the type of people who live here. The small amount of work we do in the town is on the A6 side (the bigger houses)

You couldnt get a worse week, not being paid for a job, then being relegated on Friday. ;D
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 08:11:00 pm
Phil,

You couldnt get a worse week, not being paid for a job, then being relegated on Friday. ;D

No need to turn the knife as well! ;)

I rarely work in Luton, as you say if you dropped a bomb on it you would do about £100 of damage, it really is a dump!

Think I will give it a miss from now on.

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phillip Mold on April 19, 2007, 08:28:18 pm
Never tip that last bucket down the loo till you've been paid ;) ;)
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: The Great One on April 19, 2007, 08:32:05 pm
Hi

Don't see it as revenge, it is more ' re-addressing the balance'.

You have been done a wrong which has created the imbalance, this has to be re-addressed.

Otherwise it will eat away at you if you let it.

Regards

Martin  8)
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 08:32:28 pm
Bucket ??? ???What's that then ???

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 08:34:02 pm
Hi

Don't see it as revenge, it is more ' re-addressing the balance'.

You have been done a wrong which has created the imbalance, this has to be re-addressed.

Otherwise it will eat away at you if you let it.

Regards

Martin  8)

Martin I dont understand ???

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on April 19, 2007, 08:40:13 pm
My mate calls them and explains that he will be passing the debt over to a debt collection agency ( an unscrupulous one )if he doesn't get paid.

Shaun
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phillip Mold on April 19, 2007, 08:40:50 pm
Phil, I guess you ise a Tm then, us porty types can keep a bucketful of the custys own dirt back!
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Dean Haywood on April 19, 2007, 08:48:54 pm
Phil,

I have a quote to do at a place called The Morecombe Suite at somewhere called Kenilworth Rd, i've heard they have no money so i am a little wary as to whether they will pay. ;D

Joking aside, contact the guy, give him the option to pay or you will send the baliffs in, although if there nothing of any value in the flat what can they take.
Perhaps we should all be on the lookout when quoting for signs of these type of people (depending n target audience) ie, dump of an area, not much household possesions etc

Dean
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: homenclean on April 19, 2007, 08:55:46 pm
Place an add in a local shop window telling everyone he doesnt pay his bills, show him in public or worse still send him tickets for Luton next home game.


John
See you in the 2nd division, Leeds Fan!
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Chris R on April 19, 2007, 09:04:39 pm
Thats a difficult situation to sort out Phil, not sure what I would do ?  ???

In 20 yrs I have never had that happen to me, but I have walked away from suspect jobs on a couple of occasions.

If it doesnt feel right you can always say something like " sorry mate, this is a dry clean only item and I dont have the equipment to clean it safely "

Then tell them to phone Chem Dry  ;)

Although it makes your blood boil I dont see that you can do anything much about it ?

He will have picked a cleaner from out of the area because he knows that it will be more of an hassle for you to keep calling around and chasing up the payment.

You can perhaps think of a way to get even ? Late night phone calls from a p a y g mobile ? 5am is a good time to phone ?

Chris
 
PS  Perhaps you should name and shame him on here ?
To warn any other CCs ?
Post his phone number ?  ;)
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on April 19, 2007, 09:12:04 pm
3am is when you at your deepest sleep, infact most people die at this time and most burglars operate at this time so I've been told.

Shaun
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 09:12:40 pm

He will have picked a cleaner from out of the area because he knows that it will be more of an hassle for you to keep calling around and chasing up the payment.

Chris


Good point, never thought of that.

His phone no is 01582 733039.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Lizzy on April 19, 2007, 09:16:35 pm
I couldnt lie down & take this.  He obviously knew his cheque hadnt cashed before you started work. 

Brake fluid over the car?  nah.....insurance will cough up for it.

4 nails in the walls of 4 tyres?  oh yes.  Insurance exclude tyres.

Sugar in his petrol tank!  Oh yes!

Dog poo through his door!

or a darn good kicking one day by your local neighbourhood thugs.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Chris R on April 19, 2007, 09:17:24 pm
 ;D

The next time I stroll out of the casino at 3 am I will find a call box  ::)

Just a note.

It might seem obvious, but anyone that phones the number shoudnt give any hint of what its about, or he will think its Phil and prob give him a bell back ?
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: fletch on April 19, 2007, 09:26:20 pm
Phil,
Apart from the clean sofa have you any more evidence of you carrying out that work? Perhaps records of phone calls. You mentioned the flatmate did you get his Name & Address for a future witness, this is just incase it goes to court and then they will ask you for the bare factual evidence :o etc.

 I personally would of phoned the Police and yes I know they would of told you to settle it in the civil courts but, you would have professional witnesses as well now.

Remember if you want to get your money back you must present a strong case of defence, otherwise it will get thrown out.
                              Regards,
                                 Fletch.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Chris34 on April 19, 2007, 09:57:08 pm
Phil, I think you have done the right thing.  If you had smacked him then he could have claimed compo and you could have ended up with a criminal record which would be a lot worse situation than what you have now.  Also everyone who has posted telling you to get your mates together and go and give him a kicking, well this guy has probably got mates aswell and his mates are probably a load of spongers with tonnes of time on their hands and could quite easily make your life hell, which then you would regret having taken an aggressive stance.

The way I see it you have everything to lose by being aggressive but he has nothing to lose.  Going to court is the best way but if he has got a load of CCJ's against him, it will not worry him one bit.

Just move on, let the courts sort it out and don't waste any more time on this loser.


Chris.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Phil Marlor on April 19, 2007, 10:04:08 pm

Just move on, let the courts sort it out and don't waste any more time on this loser.

Chris.

Your right, I wont waste anymore time,
Thanks everyone for your comments, sorry to go on about the situation, but it really wasn't nice.

Phil
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Damian on April 19, 2007, 10:30:26 pm
Phil, Im not being condescending here but for what its worth here is my two penneth, there are three angles to view this situation from;

1. Straightening the guy out-properly! Now as has been posted this could have repercussions, and if you were the sort of fella to do this then you would have sorted it at the job site.

2.Courtroom. File the papers BUT do not spend your life waiting for mail to see if there is an outcome?

3.Worrying about it and doing nothing-but still getting vexed and letting it dominate your working life.

The answers are-in my opinion, and always have been to initially give HIM HIS dirt back! (Have been slated on ere for many things including this but laugh anyway as i dont care what people think as long as IM earning money!)

If needs be as i say do the paperwork and forget til court time-Sorry to dispell your hopes but doubt it will get that far.

Now the worry bit-well take a look around where you are sitting now mate. Gotta decent computer? Nice furnishings? Nice pictures on walls? Thats just where your sat. Then look at your lifestyle-nice missus, kids etc And value what you have. Sure you have dipped on £125 However this scuzzy g3t will never aspire to what you have so laugh at him!!

The saying goes that we are all born with nothing and leave this planet with nothing but its what you achieve in-between.

THIS LYING BAR STEWARD WILL HAVE NOWT IN-BETWEEN AND LIVES A LIFE OF DRUDGERY!

So in essence let him have it !! Just laugh it away to experience.

Damian.

P.S i would have throated him!  :o
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: stuart_clark on April 19, 2007, 10:33:48 pm
Hi Phil, I had a problem like yours a couple of years ago when I cleaned a full house of carpets by Dry-fusion in thornaby thats in stockton by the way near to where i live,anyway after i had completed the job the lady whome i thought was the home owner and the person who telephoned me and booked the job in the first place told me that the owner was in hospital and was due to return home that evening, her son would bring her round to my house and pay me for the work that i had carried out. well i smelled a rat there and then, Id never had a problem like this before but waited with baited breath to see if the lady was going to be forthcomming, to cut a long story short i never got my money at least not from them,I had the same thoughts going through my head like you and felt that I had been conned!! I asked a debt collecting agency to collect the bill that was £300 and a lot of money to me but they had no joy in retreaving the money either. I was about to give up when a friend of a friend offered to buy the debt off me,he gave me £200 and although i hadn't got the full ammount for my work I still thought I was very lucky to get that, it turned out that this chap was a money lender and could be quite ruthless when getting his investments back,I wouldn't normally condone this type of thing but i think people like this deserve all they get! a few weeks later i heard he got his money in full £500
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: clive on April 19, 2007, 10:49:46 pm
Remember him while you`re batting phil. Should start hitting some big sixes I reckon!

Clive
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Len Gribble on April 20, 2007, 02:33:20 am
Phil

What a horror story; Not into revenge stuff,  ;) I’ve taken up religion, 8)  but its got to be some where in the big book. ::)

Len
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: murky on April 20, 2007, 08:38:41 am
Same thing happened to a carpet fitter I know. He supplied and fitted underlay grippers carpet etc to the downstairs of a house on a cash basis, put it this way the family came from the  country where they make and drink Guinness. They wouldnt pay him basicly, now the fitter isnt a big guy so couldnt take the obvious way out by smacking them.

So he left it a bit, went round one night and got the hose from the tap out side the front door and put it through the letter box and flooded the house out.

A few weeks later he was in a large carpet retailers when he saw them and they saw him, they all knew what had happened.

Brilliant.

'Revenge is a dish best eaten cold' Churchill or was it Mark Twain
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: carpetmonsters on April 20, 2007, 10:06:07 am
You cant change the past but you can learn from it
steve
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: RA 105 on April 20, 2007, 01:02:45 pm
Hi, I had a "customer" who didn't want to pay for a rug that he took on Sale or Return and sold. After many phone calls and then a letter telling him that I was going to the small claims court, I went onto the courts website where you can fill in the forms and print them out without paying anything. At this point I sent him the copy without lodging them with the court. He paid up within 48 hours and paid me £30 court costs on top-I never paid the court because I didn't send my copy of the form.
Hope this is a useful tale for some of you unlucky enough to have some toe-rag customers.

Robert Aigin
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Dave_Lee on April 20, 2007, 05:50:02 pm
Obviously the guy as said had no intention of paying for work done. Isnt that Fraud? Fraudulently entering into a contract, which he fully intended to break. As I was once told - the police have to act on a complaint of Fraud. Threaten him, that you will place the matter in the hands of the police for fraud. It may do the trick.
Dave.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on April 21, 2007, 07:03:14 am
when i got up this morning for my contract work at 4am my hand fell on my phone what a shame  ;D ;D :P
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: ollie on April 21, 2007, 12:29:23 pm
i would have poured the dirty water all over his suite.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: ag on April 22, 2007, 09:27:44 pm
Dealing with the public you get a gut feeling about people. I have a B&B that I run in the summer time, and you can always tell the people that are going to do a runner, so I stopped being a mug and started asking for the money on arrival. i just said that I had a lot of people leaving without paying and we had to make it our policy - everyone was cool about it, except those that were going to not pay, but had to, to have a place to stay.
I do the same with the carpet cleaning, but only if I have a dodgy feeling about someone, I say Ive done afew jobs recently where people havent paid, so I have to ask would you mind blah, blah. Guarantted you will have an excellent job etc etc. ALways get the dosh - thats what your there for.
Although did have a guy once that I thought wasnt going to pay, but, I thought, I know where he lives, and I was going to go and sit outside his house with my hand on the horn of my car,, and when the neighbours came out to find out what the racket was, let them know that he wouldnt pay up.you cant let them away with it.feckers.
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: spindle on April 23, 2007, 12:56:39 pm
just pump dirty water thru his letterbox!!!!
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Aquakleen Restoration Services on April 23, 2007, 03:35:45 pm
Just sent a letter off to an Indian restaurant who keeps 'forgetting' to pay me for work I did beginning last month! Phoned numerous times and the cheque is always 'in the post'!

Worded the letter carefully and said I would just hate to have to inform the small claims court (but kept it nice) as our business relationship has always been reasonably good!

Some people just dont like to pay!
Title: Re: Wont pay
Post by: Matt Lindus on April 24, 2007, 07:43:58 pm
I have trained my ear to identify the accent when they call, then inform them that I am booked up till 2020!!  ;D

Really cant be on with all the bother and hassle these bl**dy half wits create.

Matt