[SherwoodCleaningSe]

How did you find out he is trying to steal your customers back?
It's probably best to just be up front with the customers, ask them if they have been approached, tell them that you paid good money for the work and he's now trying to take it back. 
He might be spreading lies saying that you never paid him for the work in which case the customers would probably sympathize with him.

You could even send out a news letter explaining the situation hyping some of the benefits of wfp.

What he is doing all though morally wrong is not illegal unless you made him sign a contract to say he'd stay away from the area in future.  Don't lamp the guy other wise you'll end up on the wrong side of the law.

Simon.

[tacky]

kick his butt .thats a under statement .im fumming ( did i spell that right )u can only push people so far . but b care full es pesc if u have a family .not worth doing time if u have family to look after . they come first

[steve.ternent]

Jason just thinking!
I had a friend called Jason (strangely enough!)

He had a knack for canvassing, he would build up a round, do it 1 to 1 1/2  years
Then sell it!

Now my point...

He always gave over the books and a letter of sale, written on the letter was a clause
(whether legal or not!)
AFTER 3 YEARS I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RE-CANVASS THE ENTIRE ROUND
(his reasoning was simple you mat have given up!)

Why not go and see the chap and talk it over... He may have heard that you gave up!

[scud]

  Grease the bottom of his ladder styles when they are on the top of his car, whoops-a-daisy he's had a fall!

  Then give him a right kicking for good measure.

  Thats what I would do anyway.

[Wayne Thomas]

You could take someone to court, win the day and still lose out.

What I wouldn't recommend is getting this bloke on his own, when it's dark with no witnesses about and using physical violence of a serious nature. You draw your own conclusions, that's all I'm saying. Word soon travels that you're not to be messed with

When I use to do my martial arts, everyone knew I could easily stand up for myself and no one messed with me or started a fight on my brother because they knew I would go looking for them and get even. The coppers in my local town know me because of the trouble I use to get into.

[Joe Lauzon]

Not good advice Wayne - there is always someone bigger and badder round the corner.  If he does that he could end up getting knifed, or even having his family targeted.  It doesn't matter how hard you think you are, numbers or weapons can make that irrelevant.

Whats the first thing you'd be inclined to do if you got a hiding?  You go after the guy that did it.  If he gives you a real bad beating, you probably pay someone else to do a proper job right?  These things get out of hand, its not worth starting.

No point in taking a minor dispute to a higher level.  Make your customers aware of the situation, and go from there.

[Wayne Thomas]

My father disciplined me into sticking up for myself when I was young. If I got beaten up by a bigger lad, my father would make me go back for a further beating, making sure that I got a few extra punches in the next time around, to prove I wasn't afraid of anyone. I disliked it but the lads respected me more for it, even though they thought I was mad

[Joe Lauzon]

I understand why they respected you.  My Dad was a typical eastender, sounds they have similar beliefs   

Many of the new generation seem a gutless bunch though.  One on one and not kicking a man when he's down seem to be a thing of the past.  Its all about gangs beating people up and knives these days.  Not a lot to be respected about that, but I think you have to vary your behaviour accordingly to these new rules.