[Shaun_Ashmore]

Don't get them usually but I did some work for a woman moving out of a house for £150 she still lives local to that house and has a business in the area but my question is

What can I use to get my money? I can see her being a bit awkward as she had teh attention span of a gold fish, typical art designer, I haven't spoken to her yet but I can see problems.

I was hoping not to go to small claims but suggesting CCJ's and others to her may frighten her but anything else legitimately though.

Shaun

[Joe H]

It sounds if you sent/gave a copy of a completed small claim form, adding that if payment is not received within 14 days the form will be sent off and charges will be added, it may do the trick.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Nice idea Joe.

Shaun

[Mike Halliday]

if you haven't spoken to her then you might be worrying for nothing it could an over-sight,  not enough funds transferred into a second account is usually the problem.

just give her a ring

[clinton]

Shaun

What are your thoughts about this woman when you did the work

What i mean is do you think she new she had not enought funds in her account

[Ken Wainwright]

In the past Shaun, this has happened to me too. What I found to be successful was to visit the branch on which the cheque was drawn. I would ask the cashier if I were to present this cheque again, would it be honoured?  We now have human beings involved instead of just computers.  If they say yes, I then pay it in immediately at that branch (so have your own bank details with you).

It's worked for me on at least two occasions.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Buster Ingram]

I'm will Mike just call her up and explain there has been a slight mix up and your cheque has been return marked as up paid, then shut up and hear what she has to say.

Only on the second call to her do you need to get shirty not the first

[Buster Ingram]

I was typing when Ken answered , sorry mate.

I would still go with the call to her after all you have done the work its up to her to make the payment. Our running costs are high enough without baby sitting the client.

[derek west]

ring and let us know what she says. steady as you go.
derek

[Neil Williams]

She will know it's bounced quite soon as the bank will write to her about it, along with a charge of £15 to £25.
Depends how you want to play it, as in the past I have revisit customer, shown them the cheque and asked them to re-write another with £5 on top to cover the charges you are going to incurr.
If possible and if you play it right try and get her to pay the bill in cash.
If it's not too far go and see her about it, be polite and play it from there what happens next.
I have done Small Claims Court proceeding before but only after exhausting all other avenues.

[derek west]

i wouldn't bother with small claims court, i'd just hand it over to a DCA, let them sort it out, thats after ringing first to see what the score was.
derek

[mark_roberts]

In the past Ive called round with the cheque and driven them to the cash point. 

Sounds like an oversight as you know where see works etc.  If she was trying to do a runner then shes not that smart.

Mark

[psg]

Hi Mark,
What u got to do to get paid. LOL

Thankfully I don't have that problem.

Were lucky because they haven't far to run.

Cheers Jim

[Graeme@Access]

Hi,

7 day letter in Scotland is the norm and will cost you £3 +vat. http://www.debtscotland.com/ They add on a nice £40 admin fee and i have never had a single debtor that has received one not pay.

To be honest if they don't pay after that i wouldn't bother chasing it for such a small amount.

Maybe a similar thing down south i don't know?

Hope this helps

Graeme
PS you can charge statutory interest on any unpaid debts afaik, maybe look into it.

[daysdeepclean]

There was a similar discussion to this a few months back and I was one of the many saying that I would go in heavy handed, pour dirty water through the letter box, knee cap them (Well, maybe not go that far!) etc etc!

But when I read how the experienced C/C's dealt with it, I completely changed the way I thought. There's usually a perfectly good explanation and 9 out of 10 times the customer will be a be very accommodating and certainly apologetic. It's usually an oversite which I am more than sure, every single one of us on here has been guilty of.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

You know when you get that feeling? but I though after so long that everything was fine but obviously not, she's one of those peole that runs before she can walk and insisted that she had no cash, as Derek has said before the spider senses were tingling.

Called her mobile and her shop but she's away until Monday so I can't do anything until then.

Shaun

[Len Gribble]

Shaun

All I can say Plonker! I would report them to ncca for non-payment so the can spread the word 

Len

[suffolkclean]

I've copied the letter we use for customers who don't seem to pay

             (Letterhead)


                    14th October  2008              
Mr__________________
____________________
____________________

            OVERDUE PAYMENT

Dear Mr______________

I am writing in regards to overdue payment for cleaning of your _______________ at the above address on 26th August 2008.

We have contacted you on numerous occasions to chase payment.

Payment is overdue therefore if we do not receive payment within 7 days of the date of this letter, we will pass your information over to our debt recovery agent. If your information is passed over to a debt recovery agent all recovery costs will be added to your £_______ bill along with interest.

I look forward to receiving payment by 21st October 2008.


This letter has worked for us every-time - Hope this helps

 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

That's a great letter I may send that to my Missus!

Thanks

Shaun

[clinton]

Shaun

You can send it to mine as well