[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Shaun

High street bank managers don't get big bonuses (unlike the city boys). That's why he was questioning the size of your bill. They are poorly paid

Why else do you think I left banking to take up carpet cleaning? 

Roger

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'm sure you are right but bankers aren't everyones favourite at the moment I bet you are glad you are out of it? but everytime I do work for someone in that fraternity there is always a question about the bill perhaps they are all shifting into carpet cleaning.

Shaun

[GWCS]

How to you guys approach the subject of payment terms when dealing with your customers?

Or is it a case of if no payment then you wack the letter before action at them without telling them this is the procedure before hand?

Or do you advise by giving a payment terms reference sheet? Or is that type of info already on your  quotation sheets in some small print?

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

For domestics then obviously you get paid at the end of the job.

Commercial is a bit different. Some jobs you just wont get if you demand payment on completion. But the BIG trick is to find out what their payment terms are, make sure they stick to them and find out in advance who you need to speak to about delayed payment. This will not necessarily be the same person as the person who gives you the go-ahead to do the job. Stating you want payment immediately from a big organisation just doesn't happen despite you "agreeing" it with the person who gives you the job.

You should expect to have to wait 30 days in many cases and your business shouldn't be so-under-capitalised that it cannot cope with such a scenario. Obviously if they pay more quickly then that is a bonus. Being paid by BACS as opposed to cheque can often speed up getting paid as well.

How's that for an opening gambit GWCS?

[GWCS]

For domestics then obviously you get paid at the end of the job.

Commercial is a bit different. Some jobs you just wont get if you demand payment on completion. But the BIG trick is to find out what their payment terms are, make sure they stick to them and find out in advance who you need to speak to about delayed payment. This will not necessarily be the same person as the person who gives you the go-ahead to do the job. Stating you want payment immediately from a big organisation just doesn't happen despite you "agreeing" it with the person who gives you the job.

You should expect to have to wait 30 days in many cases and your business shouldn't be so-under-capitalised that it cannot cope with such a scenario. Obviously if they pay more quickly then that is a bonus. Being paid by BACS as opposed to cheque can often speed up getting paid as well.

How's that for an opening gambit GWCS?

Ive never had probs with commercial jobs (yet) but obviously i always state 30 days for payment.

Its generally residential clients that pay after service, who then keep you waiting around for £30 dispite letters phonecalls etc.

I think a nice letter from some solicitors will be the kick up the a-r-s-e they need to pay.

I was wondering if i should state payment terms (other than please pay within 14 days) and consequences off non payment, such as referral to debt solicitors?

[Steve Chapman]

And here's a tip: never let the drawer write the cheque guarantee card number on the back; always do it yourself. If the drawer writes the number on it then it is not valid and can still be bounced by the paying bank.

how would the bank know who wrote the number on the back ? 


steve

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

And here's a tip: never let the drawer write the cheque guarantee card number on the back; always do it yourself. If the drawer writes the number on it then it is not valid and can still be bounced by the paying bank.

how would the bank know who wrote the number on the back ? 


steve

Steve

They look at the ink/pen used for writing out the front of the cheque and also compare handwriting. Also some beneficiaries would never take a card number, therefore if one is written on it must have been put there by the drawer, not the beneficiary.

Roger

[Steve Chapman]

fair doo's

You wouldn't think they go to that much trouble

must admit i always tel the custy to put the number on themselves & then just check it

fortunately i only get about one cheque a year that bounces so not been too much of  problem 


steve