[MJH]

I was asked by a nice young lady to clean her flat on a monthly basis, she seemed very respectable or so i thought, i have cleaned it three times(x3 rule) and stopped due to non-payment. This is the funny bit when i call she hides, this week i was cleaning the neighbouring house she saw me and ran and dived into a waiting car. The lengths people go! she only owes £15 but it adds up.
Any advice on cash recovery?

[windows_chepstow]

Be persistant, but polite and don't go out of your way.  If you're in the area each month, knock and leave notes.

Have you her phone number?  Phone her.

I've done this and it took about four months to get about 20 quid.

In the end I saw it as a challenge.

[MJH]

i have left notes and knocked several times but she is going out of her way to avoid payment, where do u draw the line with clowns like that, she thinks i will get bored! :

[Majestic]

I would just post a sae , if she did not return it I would just forget about it some people are just hard faced nowadays. . But I would mention it to all my other customers on her street

[MJH]

Whats really frustrating they hadn't been done in years so i put alot of effort into them, my time is as important as the money! Some people aren't bothered......

[Roy Harding]

Tosh I think said very early every Sunday mornning knocking and ringing the bell week after week does the trick. More my style I think.

Roy

[MJH]

i could always park in front of the drive on a weekly basis, that might do the trick!!

[Davie T]

With all new customers I get their tel no ( preferrably  mobile).  It is easier to contact them on their mobile than landline.  By hiding my caller ID (141 before dialling their number my caller ID is not shown on their mobile and it's odds on that they will answer it out of curiosity.
If I am getting nowhere I send a letter clearly stating that the debts should be settled by ..... date and if not, I will refer the debt to a third party for active collection, also reminding them that all recovery debts incurred thereafter are payable by them ( not exactly tue).
This action usually works and if not the debt does go to a debt collection agency who charge a percentage for their efforts.  No messing about!

[MJH]

i know its only a small debt but i like the sound of third party action once other avenues have been exhausted would it be unreasonable to go to small claims/debt collector for a minimal sum?, i just don't like people taking the p##s out of me!

[tartan cleaning]

Have you tried parking your car away from the house then she won't know your coming? :

[MJH]

yes, she didn't expect me last time i was up the ladder next door, she saw me and went into hiding, i saw the funny side of it.

[busydaffodil]

Personally, I would do the polite letter threatening that if payment is not recieved before Date, you'll take her to court.   Ideally, copy a court paper with her details filled in & attach it, telling her the original is ready to file.

If no payment received, take her to court.     AND whisper the secret to her neighbours.....telling them not to tell anyone else.   It'll spread like wild fire.

[Davie T]

If a collection agency fails to collect on your behalf, unless the amount is substantial, forget it and put it down to experience.
I have tried courts and found it a waste of time and money.  You also get "wound up" and the hassle just isn't worth it.

[spotless2000]

I've just had my first bounced cheque.

Merry Christmas !!!

[Wozza]

I have a customer who is a none payer.

To be honest I wish I had never took the job on now, the bill is only £16 pounds, but that is not the issue.

This family live in a good size detached house and have not paid for 2 months ago clean. I could smell a rat thiis month & nocked in the usual  

Something out of the ADAMS Family came to the door and said "we don't want them doing this month" I said to her(Well think it was a her) OK no probs...I will just collect payment for 2 months ago then. She then said she didn't have any cash...I said OK I will take a cheque...she said she has never had a cheque book.....oh dear.....oh dear....she paid me by cheque to 1st month I did her windows....she then went on to say could I call backat some point.    We don't have a smiley for Fatness


I have now 4 times and she just stands there like she is in a trance !


I am just going to let it go and warn all in the street about her.  

How would she like it if her boss took away and extra £16 from her wages each month coz he felt like not paying !  

Right lads I feel so much better for gettiing that of my chest.

[AuRavelling79]

I've just had my first bounced cheque.

Merry Christmas !!!

Was it a big'un?

[Londoner]

I always get a phone number, not for that reason but just so I have a proper record of each customer.
A couple of phone calls about 3 in the morning work well if you know someone who does shift work get them to do it for you.
You may not get the money but you get revenge.

[spotless2000]

Was it a big'un?

No, only £12, but the bank informed me that any others would be subject to a £7.50 charge.  I'm pretty sure it's a genuine mistake as the customer has always paid promptly.  She'll get a nice letter with her cheque back.

[simon knight]

A method a mate of mine used with a cheque bouncer:

                                        IMPORTANT NOTICE


                                         MRS XYZ

                                         HER ADDRESS


                        THIS IS TO ALERT ALL TRADESMEN THAT THE ABOVE PERSON
                         IS A CHEQUE BOUNCER.


....or words to that effect. He then printed off a copy and popped it through her letterbox along with the promise that if she didn't pay within the week he'd print off 100's and attach them to every lampost and tree within a 1/4 mile radius of her house.....she paid!

[RO-Sheen]

Was it a big'un?

No, only £12, but the bank informed me that any others would be subject to a £7.50 charge.  I'm pretty sure it's a genuine mistake as the customer has always paid promptly.  She'll get a nice letter with her cheque back.

Who do you bank with??? This has happened to me a few times. The first time it happened I contacted my bank and they assured me that I would not be charged. however, My customers bank may charge her for having insufficent funds. By the way Ihave a business account. Not sure if that makes a difference.