[koopmaster]

Fed up with 5 customers who owe me almost £200 in total. 

Now I dont do collections but these 5 just wont pay (I dont clean them anymore)

so I went out last night and knocked each one,  two of them came out and spoke to me and agreed to pay on the weekend.

The other 3 refused to come out their flats (and I could bloody see them)

So I wrote on the invoice  .... £5 collection fee for every time I have to come back...

went again tonight. 
the first one came to the window and said he would pay on Saturday - so I replied if he doesn't I will charge him.

the second person didn't claim to see the ticket so I just added £5 on and said £45 - he paid £20 immediately and promised to pay the end of the month.   
The last one opened the door and started to mumble "ohh just got back of holiday and my dad is sick...."
I knew he was blatantly lying to me so I sad "when can I come get the money?"
He said "friday" 
So I looked down at my invoiced and wrote £35.... and handed it to him... he looks at it and said
"oh you cant keep charging me collection fee. "  I just turned and walked away but with a smile on my face...

I bet he has the money on Friday...
PS people dont like paying but will pay when you start increasing for nothing... 

[jk999]

Keep us posted I have some ex customers that still owe I might try that myself

[SeanK]

Why not its worth a try, some of the softer messers might fall for it
but it wont make a difference to the hard core.

[Dick]

I hope you get the promised money................but I have my doubts, better to forget it and move as hard as it is to do.
Calls backs don't equal green backs.

[koopmaster]

I text-ed the customer last night who had promised again to pay and said " dont forget to pay"

and no money this morning.
So I have just text-ed her " I am coming on friday to collect unfortunately since I have been to collect so many times if I cant get payment I will need to charge £5 collection for my time"

[Tom White]

Koop, are you targeting poor estates?  I can't remember the last time someone couldn't pay me because they were skint and waiting for a pay day.

Upgrade your work; target some better areas.

[Mike #1]

The fact that you wrote 3 refused to come out of flats means they must owe a few cleans each , If you are struggling to get one payment you are going to struggle to get anymore money owed .

One clean is all my custys get until I have payment no payment no further cleans . Mike

[Avo]

I say £1 or £2 discounts for people paying bankers transfer or PayPal
Cut the collections down by 50% and you will be far better off

I had one last night said we had a family emergency and we had to use the window cleaners money "it was only £10" i've been back three or four times for payments this month.. Payment Dodgers!!!!

[koopmaster]

you always get a few, I have 350 custies and out of those 4 have been doggers...

They will all be dumped but I still want my money and sick of just letting it go. 

[Crystal-clear]

It sounds like you need to A) stop collecting B) stop cleaning those customers cos it sounds like they don't really want a window cleaner but continue to use cos they are embarrassed to cancel why don't you make it easier for them after you get paid ask them if they want to continue

[Nathanael Jones]

you always get a few, I have 350 custies and out of those 4 have been doggers...

They will all be dumped but I still want my money and sick of just letting it go. 

I know how you feel - I've been stung a few times, never for anything major, but it bugs me for years after - its the principle of the thing!!

If they're short on cash they should have cancelled - your a service provider not a credit provider!!