Non paying, infuriating customer.

[Andy B]

We quoted a job to rewire 2 bungalows. Did the job in the summer doing bits and pieces around other trades. They took forever to get plastering etc done. They changed there mind on the kitchen and stuff so many times. We moved the cooker switch and point for them twicw and basically bent over backwards keeping them happy. November came and we finally finished the job. They had paid about 2 thirds as we went along. They seemed to fall out with every trade on site and we thought we must just be more easy going. Before xmas we invoiced the final amount and they refused to pay coming out with crap excuses. They keep saying that people have told them the cables aren`t deep enough. I keep telling them that as long as the cables are in safe zones and RCD protected there is no minimum depth. Finally we sent them a letter threatening them with court action unless we recieve payment by today. They have just phoned me and they say they have called in trading standards and we will hear from them within a couple of day. I said I`m giving them to friday and registering it with small claims court.

They are the most infuriating people I`ve ever met.

 

[sportsparky1602]

I'm with the whole break in and remove everything my friend! Nothing worse than a non payer! Absolute wan*ers!!
People moan about cowboy trades men and how they should be named and shamed well I say non payers should be named and shamed to stop this from happening to other good honest hard working lads and lasses....

 

[ayjay]

great idea break in and remove all of the electrics
don,t worry about any family living there just kick the door in
take some protection base ball bats stun guns knives a pair of cutters and a tester
for ****s sake

 

[Guest112]

I saw a piece on sky news about a woman who hired a builder to build a porch at the front of her property, another scumbag non payer so he told his boys that built it to remove it, the builder said it was a shame to see his hard work torn down but better than seeing a scumbag enjoying his hard work free of charge

and ayjay, go to bed

 

[onions1066]

Tin hat on but I would remove the main fuse from the carrier if its an external meter box. ok they will get it sorted but it will be some nice inconvenience for them to sort out, and just puts some doubt in there mind about f**king with you as you can do this whenever you like again and again. Failing that nothing says I want my money more than a s**t through the letter box . :33:

 

[keniff]

Slip a roof tile off while they are out and rig up the hose full bore in the roof!

 

[Rockingit]

Tin hat on but I would remove the main fuse from the carrier if its an external meter box. ok they will get it sorted but it will be some nice inconvenience for them to sort out, and just puts some doubt in there mind about f**king with you as you can do this whenever you like again and again. Failing that nothing says I want my money more than a s**t through the letter box . :33:

I wouldn't - it's the DNO's property and they probably WOULD take an interest in that. Besides, you'd also leave the install with a significant IP2X failure which could also land you in serious doodoo.

 

[ayjay]

is this what so called "electricians" have come to?? a bunch of criminals
its unbeivable

 

[onions1066]

I wouldn't - it's the DNO's property and they probably WOULD take an interest in that. Besides, you'd also leave the install with a significant IP2X failure which could also land you in serious doodoo.

I'd replace the carrier of course. How would they prove it was me,

 

[Des 56]

Re: Non paying, infuriating customer

We should all fit a switch hidden away with a remote control in our possesion

Any nonsence the neutral earth fault gets triggered,again and again and again until they pay
They could have all the inspections they want and likely never get it resoved

The letter we will have sent offering to resolve the fault would go hand in hand with the work done resolution

 

[High Tower]

Gentlemen, while i appreciate that the most of this is tounge in cheek, can we please keep the content vaugely legal on a public forum.

Ok, to the op, i know how frustrating this is, forget waiting for the mythical trading standards to arrive as chances are, they wont want to know. the best thing is to issue a final demand, and download this.......Just Claim :: N1 Claim Form ok you can edit it, fill in all of the boxes and print a copy off and enclose it with your final demand, DO NOT submit it to the court, send it only to the client "for their information". It looks extremly officious, and costs nothing and is normally enough to scare mpst into paying what they owe. its worked for me 3 times.

 

[onions1066]

Sorry high tower all in jest I wouldn't really **** through the letter box.......................that would be impossible I'd put it in a bag first then post it.

 

[High Tower]

I Know, if this was in the arms you call all have as much fun as you like.

 

[Heisenberg]

I think this highlights the need for everyone that works for themselves to have proper contracts, and also as has already been mentioned, a proper paper trail. Getting a local solicitor to draw up a general 'Terms and Conditions' that can be used on all jobs and contains time frames for complaints to be lodged etc, is also a good idea.
It might be expensive at the outset, but will be worth it's weight in gold when things go south.

 

[TaffyDuck]

This happened to me once. A customer who, having sent me a note with the 1st fix payment saying that he was delighted with the workmanship then refused to pay the 2nd fix bill of just under £2k. I really cannot be bothered with a court system that does not enforce their own judgements, often you will never get paid anyway.

So I sold the debt to the most "in your face" debt collection agency that i could find in the area. It cost me 30% of the invoice ( about £600) but it was worth every penny. A friend who is wheelchair bound and lives over the road and is home a lot took photos of this customer with 2 huge hairy arsed blokes at his front door.

That was priceless

 

[Octopus]

This may be anoying but if you commence legal action without issueing a final demand AND giving them due time to pay the judge won't hear the case.

So write them a letter today entitled "final demand" and make sure you include this statement:

"I attach my original invoice to this letter and wish to inform you, that if the invoice is not settled in full by xx xxxxxxx 2013, I intend to refer this matter to the Small Claims Court without further reference to you."

And the date should be 14 days from the date of the letter.

Have fun.