[Adrian Marsh]

Agreed Derek. Why take the chance. Never have a problem from the letting agents I work for. It's when dealing with landlords directly that "Issues" occur, let alone living on the other side of the world.

[Steve Gunn]

I did a job some years ago for a nice young couple in Newcastle cleaned their sofas and carpets then 6 months later they wanted them done again before moving to Sweden to live,arrived on the job to be greeted by the cleaner when asked how would I be getting paid she said they only left her money I had their email address/telephone number to this day I haven't been paid for doing them again.

Don't do these types of jobs unless payment is made beforehand

[robert meldrum]

I'd regard that set up as a GAMBLE and I don't GAMBLE.

[garry22]

You did the right thing Derek.

I went out for a meal recently with a large group of friends (plus their workmates).

A woman on our table (who I took an instant dislike to) was bragging that she hardly ever paid for meals out. Apparently she kept complaining and most restaurants gave her her money back.

It was a deliberate strategy to get something for nothing. It did not however stop her from woofing down most of her meal first!

[John Milnes]

It did not however stop her from woofing down most of her meal first!

Thats women for ya, some of em completely take the pee.

I once had a lady book me to do a whole house and she was moving down south. I knew she worked for a local estate agent who I had dealt with so pretty ligit (so I thought).

I emailed the bill on her request (pay in 7 days)...no response after 2 weeks. Then I called her mobile and left a message...no response. Then sent her another email requesting payment overdue etc....no response.

Then went to the estate agents where she used to work, I said can you give me her forwarding address and they said no but we can get in touch with her.
I explained that she had ignored every request for payment. I said while your on the phone to her, tell her that if no payment is made within the next few days I'll submit this to the small claims court and use her previous address where she had the work done.
The cheque arrived the next day.

So I believe (so I'm told) that if you have a debtor, you use the previous address and send any correspondence to it and use it for the small claims court.
That way, it will affect their credit rating......even if they don't receive the correspondence.

[Richard Basey-Fisher]

I do a lot of work for people who have second homes holiday homes etc and most of the time this is arranged by the house keeper or cleaners . I always get the contact details of the owners either email or tel numbers provide them with a quote either by email or fax and inform them of the intended date i will be doing the work and request payment before i do the job . never had a problem date.