How long before chasing payment?

[I Trippet]

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I very rarely have an issue with customers paying, the vast majority have paid straight away or within a few days. However I'm still waiting for payment for an emergency call out I attended in early December.

Without going into all the details, I got a call at 4.30 on a Saturday evening from someone near me with no power on most circuits after plugging in outside Christmas lights. I agreed to go and look, rather foolish because we were going out to meet family with table booked for 7, would have to leave by 6.30, but it was a only a few houses away and from sound of it would have put money on it being faulty lights that wanted binning. Long story short it wasn't as straightforward as that, ended up having to go and get a part and turned up an hour and half late for meal while OH had to get a taxi. Needless to say I never heard the end of it for days. Waited a week before billing to make sure everything was fine first, customer said it was and thank you. Sent the bill, heard nothing yet. Just interested to know people's thoughts on what point I should start chasing. Not quite 30 days yet and don't want to chase it too early especially with Christmas in that period but after bending over backwards in what was supposed to be my free time I can't say I'm not a little miffed for not being paid yet.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I think a quick, polite, professional email reminder rather than a court summons at this stage

 

[buzzlightyear]

Dear customer I have sent you a reminder of a invoice that has not been paid, I would remind you if probet payment is not paid with in the next couple of days
Then I have no alternative to recover the amount owed in which will a added cost to you. If any proceeding to recover the payment, I must remind you that all recovery off the amount will go against you in a court of law. Aka judge Buzz light year.

 

[baldelectrician]

It sucks
We had 3 calls for out of hours emergency stuff on the Christmas holidays

2 were unknown and one was existing client

Each client was sent an quote prior to leaving for site.
The ones we did not know we required payment prior to leaving.

One accepted and one declined- funny that an emergency did not turn out to be one when they had to hand over a wad prior to the visit

We only do this for call outs, all other work is invoiced later.

 

[buzzlightyear]

It sucks
We had 3 calls for out of hours emergency stuff on the Christmas holidays

2 were unknown and one was existing client

Each client was sent an quote prior to leaving for site.
The ones we did not know we required payment prior to leaving.

Wow, I love customers that ring up over Xmas no power ovens off, OK, will come round if payment is done over the phone, if not you can cook your turkey over a candle.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello Mrs Williams,

I'm just checking my accounts and I notice your invoice hasn't been paid. I sent it by email on December 15th. If you haven't seen it, have a quick check of your junk folder. I'll send it again if you can't find it.

I'm glad we managed to get your Christmas tree lights back on and I hope you had a good Christmas.

Kind regards,

 

[nicebutdim]

No you would not, you are discussing information pertaining to your business which you are free to divulge to anyone you wish, nothing to do with the data protection act, at a very great stretch it may be construed as liable, but almost impossible to prove.

I don't wish to get into a protracted argument in this thread, but Acts of Parliament aren't subject to opinion - at least not unless you happen to preside over a court of law - and the issue under discussion is pretty much data protection 101 (or GDPR 101 across the EU).

Disclosing information about your own business is perfectly fine, but once details pertaining to a named customer enter the conversation you would be in breach of the Act.

I'd be happy to discuss the issue further if you wish to start a separate thread.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I'm glad we managed to get your Christmas tree lights back on with ferry's now happy and I hope you had a good Christmas.

Bang, the lights have gone again, bloody
Electrician.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Are they a customer if they have not paid, moot point, but obtaining anything under false pretences is a criminal act, the Data protection act allows disclosure of personal information to prevent further criminal offences.

 

[DefyG]

Hello Mrs Williams,

I'm just checking my accounts and I notice your invoice hasn't been paid.

We've had problems with her too,.. lol

 

[timhoward]

Each client was sent an quote prior to leaving for site.
The ones we did not know we required payment prior to leaving.

Out of interest, how do you do this? Bank Transfer?
I have a SumUp machine as a last resort payment option for the crowd that don't carry cash and have lost their cheque book. I always love the look of surprise when I say I can accept the card that I've already seen in their cash-free wallet.

But I've never figured out over-the-phone card payments. Out of hour call-outs are the exact situation I'd like to be able to use them.

 

[Risteard]

Out of interest, how do you do this? Bank Transfer?
I have a SumUp machine as a last resort payment option for the crowd that don't carry cash and have lost their cheque book. I always love the look of surprise when I say I can accept the card that I've already seen in their cash-free wallet.

But I've never figured out over-the-phone card payments. Out of hour call-outs are the exact situation I'd like to be able to use them.

SumUp has a "Virtual Terminal" option if you are qualifying for it and request it to be activated. Slightly higher fees on it.

 

[ipf]

Bang, the lights have gone again, bloody
Electrician.

Aye, with a name like 'I Trippet' though, what do you expect?

Great one for a Spark.....nearly as good as U Bluewit.

 

[suffolkspark]

@I Trippet have you attempted to make contact via text since this thread?

 

[I Trippet]

Thanks for the replies everyone, not yet no I will do tomorrow. I did mean I live around the corner from the customer (never met before, quite a few houses around), so will pop another one with a note through the door. I double checked, invoice is dated 17 December so 30 days on Tuesday.

 

[suffolkspark]

Thanks for the replies everyone, not yet no I will do tomorrow. I did mean I live around the corner from the customer (never met before, quite a few houses around), so will pop another one with a note through the door. I double checked, invoice is dated 17 December so 30 days on Tuesday.

Ah I'd probs leave it til Wednesday