Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ian richards on November 20, 2004, 10:18:31 am

Title: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 20, 2004, 10:18:31 am
Hi

I cleaned a carpet in a house on tuesday, it was job where i cleaned the house of the rented property where they were previously, i did that about 10 days ago.
Then as i say cleaned the new house on tuesday.
As the customer was out when i finished i left the invoice on the table, but as yet, have recieved no payment.
Do i write a letter endorcing that the fact that payment is on completion unless agreed otherwise, or ring her on monday which will then be 7 days since i completed the work?

Ian
 
Ps. I did speak to her afterwoods, she was very pleased with the work and said that she would post the cheque the following day.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Ian Gourlay on November 20, 2004, 10:22:11 am
When people move they have a lot to cope with.  I personally would give her to Thursday but you would have already assesed if Client is likely to pay or not.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: woodman on November 20, 2004, 10:43:32 am
Just ring her and say the cheque did not arrive.

This will either jog her memory to pay in which case she will be all apologetic and  will arrange payment double quick or it was sent and lost in which case she needs to know to cancel it and send another.

Either way she will appreciate the call ;)
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Len Gribble on November 20, 2004, 07:22:58 pm
Ian

Did you get paid for the previous job?

Len
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 20, 2004, 07:35:29 pm
Hi Len

No i didnt we agreed to keep it to one invoice.

Ian
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Len Gribble on November 20, 2004, 07:54:59 pm
Ian

Very trusting of you, tenant moving out (sorry to say bit naive how did you know where they were moving too) as you have cleaned the new abow what’s wrong in going round tomorrow nice and early! ;D ;D

I think this is a lesson for all domestic paid on completion if you know they are moving cash giving a receipt.

Len
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: John_Flynn on November 20, 2004, 08:43:50 pm
Give her a ring and tell her what time you will be calling to pick up your payment.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Len Gribble on November 20, 2004, 09:01:08 pm
John

They will make all excuses under the sun, sorry I won’t be in, Sundays is the best time to knock on non payers around 0800 don’t take a cheque take them to the cash machine dressed nor not and don’t forget to put a surcharge on! ;D

Len
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: John_Flynn on November 21, 2004, 06:36:29 am
Aye Up Len

Me an thee should start a C/C Debt Collection Service!!
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Len Gribble on November 21, 2004, 07:44:18 am
Not a bad idea ;D

Len
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 21, 2004, 02:09:50 pm
Hi Len

The second property i cleaned was the house that they have moved in to,
hence the reason for the none payment on the first.

Cheers

Ian

Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Len Gribble on November 21, 2004, 05:29:59 pm
Ian

I work slightly different to you as I also deal with quite a few tenants who are moving out; this also applies to people who have sold or going on secondment and renting out there property.

Payment is always on completion of that job! Cheques not a problem but if over £50 one than one is needed (most cards today don’t seem to be guarantee cards but cash/debit cards got me thinking is the number on the card valid for a cheque) yes I’m sad but never been knocked!

I hope you get paid soon, it’s called cash flow

Len
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Dave Parry on November 21, 2004, 11:11:46 pm
If tenant is moving out I always ask for cash. with others cheques ok but always make sure YOU write the card number on the back, if the bank want to be awkward, and the customer writes it  they wont honour it. Also put on both the start date and the expiry date and the last 3 digits of the security code on the back. Soundslike a lot but different banks have different rules. best to play safe. 
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 22, 2004, 11:31:41 pm
Latest update guy's.
I phoned her this afternoon, and she said that she thought her husband had posted it (Yeah right!!!) but assured me that it would be posted in the morning.

Anyone remember the worlds two greatest lies?

1. The cheque's in the post!!
2. I promise not to c.. .. .... .....

We'll See!

Ian
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: PJUK on November 23, 2004, 02:37:07 am
I bet u get the cheque, people are very trustworthy and wouldnt dream of not payin, just been a breakdown in communications thats all, allow a few days for the postman and dont forget it could get lost in the post!! So she will have to send another...but u will get it..! (im a optomist) Seriously thou as long as you keep a dignified attiude and are polite you will get it...they want you to get stroppy with them, so they wont pay up, because u were rude.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Ian Gourlay on November 23, 2004, 07:55:19 am
I often clean Houses with nobody there mind you its the House they are moving to.

Cheque always arrives spmtimes takes longer than I would like.

Do you never obtain services and then take a few weeeksw to pay.

Garage, Plummer, boiler man  all awaiting payment due to slow billing system
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 23, 2004, 11:38:10 am

OK guy's enough already!!!

I'll give her a break then!!

I'll let you all know what happens.

Love from

Mr Suspicous
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: The Porky Para on November 23, 2004, 03:20:28 pm
If you did not want to be to direct you could always phone up and ask if you have left some thing behind,and then mention the cheque in passing. 8)
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 25, 2004, 09:50:02 am
Hi Guys

Just an update!

Two telephone calls.

Still no payment.

Are my suspicions being realised?

Ian

Ps

I am now having the same problems with a pub in Rugby, and the owe me £600
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Fox on November 25, 2004, 11:03:36 am
Ian

Can you tell me which pub that is?  I know a few in that area might be able to help - pm me if you prefer.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Ian Gourlay on November 25, 2004, 12:01:22 pm
Ok now is the time to go round and collect payment.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: easi-kleen on November 25, 2004, 05:23:18 pm
I'm having same prob at the moment, cleaned an empty shop unit 6 weeks ago, gave invoice while I was there and was promised cheque if I popped back that week. I did but he had Popped out.

I phoned he promised to send it

Thats happened every week since.

next monday the phone call will be sterner withthreat of passing on to debt agency..... can any one reccomend one as I have not had this problem before..

Phil
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Mark Roberts on November 25, 2004, 05:56:19 pm
Easi-clean

Get yourself round there and ask for payment. People respond so much quicker when you growl at them in person. I would'nt leave with out the cash. You dont need this type of customer.

Mark
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: easi-kleen on November 25, 2004, 06:17:09 pm
I dont with domestic and this costomer is 100 miles from me.

Phil
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Mark Roberts on November 25, 2004, 06:30:22 pm
was promised cheque if I popped back that week. I did but he had Popped out.
100 miles is a long way to "pop" back. Payment on completion is the only thing I go for if im traveling that distance with an unknown customer. The same thing has happened to me before but not again !
Why not try phoning him everyday that can work, bug him into submission.
Good luck.

Mark
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: George-Reid on November 26, 2004, 10:38:39 am
Phil
sent you email with attachment

Cheers

George
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Ian Gourlay on November 26, 2004, 08:54:29 pm
Shopkeepers pay all bills slow its called trading off OPM

Excellent Cash Flow.

Branson  aledgely made his billions this way   why should  this shopkeeper be any diffrent.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 28, 2004, 12:00:46 pm
Hi Guys

Latest update on this, what has now become a bit of an irritating saga!!   
Three telephone calls and still no payment!!
I did say earlier in this yarn, that i was very suspicious about this customer in the early stages, what i didnt say was that up until 12 years ago my occupation was recovering debts for a well known tv rental company.
I spent 8 years doing this, and you do get a sixth sence about these things when you are working within that industry, i just was'nt aware that i still had it!!
Anyway,  NO MORE MR NICE GUY..........   I'M BACK!!
I,m off round there to day, and she has to options, payment in cash or an extremely Wet, Smelly, Dirty Hall and Lounge carpet!! ;) :D

Watch this space!!!

Ian
   
 
         
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Len Gribble on November 28, 2004, 06:11:56 pm
Ian

Go for it, never tell anyone what your intentions are, most people like surprises. :P :-X

Len
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 28, 2004, 08:07:54 pm
Hi

Damn!!!

They were out!!!

There again tomorrow

Ian.
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: ian richards on November 29, 2004, 06:25:36 pm
 :D :D :D ;D ;D Hooray a result!!! Excuse me while i do a song and dance act!!
Got there at 5.30pm, just as she pulled up from work, what about that for timing! So i said to her with all the dignity that i could muster, hand over the dosh or the Hamster get's it!!  :-[ She could'nt get the cash out quick enough.
I told you, if you lean on em hard enough, they always pay up!

Just call me Al  8)
Title: Re: Payment within 7 days
Post by: Nigel_W on November 29, 2004, 07:45:37 pm
Ian,

For future reference if all else fails you can now make claims through the county court system online. Have a look here:-

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk

All you do is enter the clients name and address and the details of the claim. You pay a small fee by credit card which is added to the total claim. The court service then writes to them asking for the money or a defence. It always resolves these issues of non payment very quickly.

You won't work for them again but you will have the money. By the time I have got round to taking this action I have usually decided I wouldn't work for the people again anyway.


Nigel