[Mike #1]

Needing to use Thomas Higgins what details do i need and how easy and straight forward is the service to use .

Custy owes £14.00 and despite calling back a number of times and hand delivering and Invoice  with payment options and then a few days later hand delivering a letter and a copy of invoice .

The Letter made a further request for payment and informed them that i would add a further charge for non payment if not made within a certain time and also informed them that non payment would result in legal action been taken .

Over a week now and no payment or contact made  . Mike

[Inspire Cleaning]

Hello Mike,

It's very simple and easy to use. Once you have registered, takes a few mins.........

"Our service is simple, to start your collections right now, simply log on to www.thomashiggins.com and access your account through the client login tab. Your password will be sent separately. You will be prompted to check your account details are correct. Then go to “Create a Letter Before Action” and enter your debtor’s name, address and the sum owing, or if you have a large volume just email us your file. We will, on the same day, send a Solicitors 7 day Letter Before Action (LBA) chasing payment – its as simple as that! We charge £2.00 plus VAT for each LBA."

[Mike #1]

Thanks for that mate do you know if i can also add on the £20.00 non payment  charge i said would be added to the outstanding debt .

I am going to wait till maybe Tuesday to see if a cheque turns up , Even though  i gave the option of PayPal which i Know i would lose some on charges but i have a PayPal button on my website .

So I have tried to be polite and give them some straight forward options to pay . Mike

[dazmond]

Too much  messing for £14 IMO.

I'd write it off after knocking her door one last time.

[Mike #1]

Its the principal Dazmond they were a custy for about 4 years or so and the wife never carries money , So always had to call back when husband was in but in recent months he has changed his working pattern .

So is working a lot longer hours when i spoke to the wife last time she had a dont care attitude and just said sorry you will have to call back , I have been chasing the debt for about 3 months now .

In the past i have offered them different payment options  so i could get paid without having to call back 4-6 times and this drags out over weeks .

They have got money as husband is involved with the family business , It is the pure ignorance i cant stand i had them down as good custys in the past .

But now not to even just call me and ask if i can call and collect money  . I have a lot of custys close to them so it is not like they are never going to see me again i park right next to their house due to location .

I almost feel guilty for taking legal action but why should i be walked all over which is what it feels like . Mike

[Tom White]

I almost feel guilty for taking legal action but why should i be walked all over which is what it feels like . Mike

You're making it feel personal and you really don't have to let it be that way.  They'd probably have treated me exactly the same.

Use the letter or don't use the letter, whatever, but you don't have to let these folk wind you up.

[Mike #1]

Cheers Tosh , I am not wound up as such i am stressing more about having to take action .

Due to some personal circumstances i struggle to deal with  hassle or confrontation and it has taken about 2 1/2 years for me to be able to deal with certain things just want to get my confidence back and not feel walked over .

And feel as i carried out a service they requested then i am due my payment . Mike

[Tom White]

In-between decisions is a stressful place.  You're either going to do it, or you're not.  Make your mind up quickly, do whatever needs to be done and the stress will go.  But many of us come to window cleaning because we want a less stressful way of life, so why add it for the sake of £14?

Just let it go, in your head too, shrug shoulders, and focus on your good customers.  This will no doubt happen again at some stage; it's pointless getting annoyed when it does.  It's just part of the job. 

And if you chat with some builders, they'll be to give you some proper horror stories where they've purchased materials, paid for staff, and then been done over.  We have it easy sometimes (not the guys with huge accounts 'n' staff).

And it really isn't personal; they'd have done it to me too.

[Mike #1]

Been a windy for over 13 years so have been ripped off a few times  in the past , Thought i would make a stand this time . Thanks again Mike

[Bill.upnw]

Over 14 quid? Jesus...

[Mike #1]

Over 14 quid? Jesus...

It is the principal why should i or anyone else be ripped off , You cant walk into shop get what you need and say to the assistant or owner will pay you later and walk out that would be theft .

But customers ripping the window cleaner or another tradesman  off dont see that as been dishonest they may class it as victory because they saved themselves some money  .

If most people accepted been ripped off or that ripping some one off was the right thing to do it would be a wonderful world NOT .  Mike

[robertphil]

write a bad online review on his family business  might make him sit up

[Bill.upnw]

Completely understand where your comming from mike, but the time your spending chasing up this 14 quid, surely it took you about 15 mins to do this 14 quid job...time ur pin round chasing up 14 quid u cud have done another job and got paid

[Johnny B]

Yup, I've had this happen to me more times than I care to remember. I now just see it that they have wasted a few minutes of my time, and I am sure not going to stress about it or waste any more time or effort on them. My satisfaction comes by telling my local window cleaning colleagues (most of whom are close personal friends) who won't touch their windows with a bargepole or anything else.

John

[Mike #1]

Completely understand where your comming from mike, but the time your spending chasing up this 14 quid, surely it took you about 15 mins to do this 14 quid job...time ur pin round chasing up 14 quid u cud have done another job and got paid

Point well made Bill i do agree , But as i have already informed them of potential legal action i am going to go ahead and that will defo make them sit up , Thanks for input lads . Mike

[Michael Peterson]

lol robertphil

[Mike #1]

write a bad online review on his family business  might make him sit up

BACK OF THE NET    . Mike

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Ive wrote loads of money off in the past.

My round now is pretty much all decent customers that have been on the books for ages, so minimal problems with payment.


I do have a new customer that owes £30 for 2 cleans that im pretty sure shes trying to avoid paying. Ive stopped doing her house but have been to see her on a couple of occasions, to be given excuses.

Never tried this Thomas Higgins letter but might test it on this lady 

[Mike #1]

For the sake of 2 quid James i would do mate . Mike

[capn sparkle]

Had a couple do this to me over the years - always small amounts (similar to yours) - annoying, but It's part of the game.

I dealt with it by telling all their neighbours that they've knocked me, got my revenge a dozen times over, it's the custie conversation that keeps on giving.

On the plus side she'll probably hide from you every time you're working in their street - Imagine that! Not being able to walk out of your own front door for fear of running into the windie - FOREVER!!