What Should You Do With Non-Payers?

[imago]

There's no such thing as a "Non-payer", some people just take longer and need more encouragement than others. They all pay in the end though.

 

[SYKRAPS]

i use a more direct approach for non-payers..........


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I think that to hire Dirty Harry would cost the OP more than the £150 that he stands to lose..........

Joking aside this is not a very nice situation that most of us in business encounter on occasion, in all honesty if you write off the £150 you will benefit against your accounts so you are not actually losing the full amount of £150 as some of this was tax to be paid on the job. You also may be acting a little prematurely if it was only a few days ago so send him some reminders with the outstanding amount listed.

Did you fit the flat plat gear? If not you should be able to gain a credit which once again will soften the blow to an extent.

I think your price was very low by the way, why should you do cheap jobs to promote yourself? Your qualities will soon gain you a good reputation which you should not give at low levels of cost. Being cheap can also have an adverse affect on some peoples decisions to hire your services, just my opinion if it counts for anything...............

 

[Lefke Lad]

Thanks for all the responses guys. To answer a couple of the queries - the £400 is in addition to the £250 paid, basically my labour costs. The horizontal run isn't that simple i.e run between two points equal distances from the floor. He wanted me to run it vertically down from an existing socket that is approx 30cm above the floor, then horizontally behind a skirting board for about 2.5m, then vertically up at least 1m to a fused spur. My concern was with whoever subsequently fitted the skirting board could nail the cable, including any future house owner who wouldn't expect a cable to be located there. Reg 522.6.101 says it's ok horizontally between two accessories and this wasn't so.

I know it's only 400 quid and is bound to be a hassle, but I don't like the idea of this scumbag getting away with it. So I think I will probably try pjcomp's Letter Before Action first and then possibly High Tower's excellent idea.

Failing that, some of the other ideas that are best not repeated might have to be employed to get satisfaction at least, even if I still remain out of pocket.

 

[Lefke Lad]

I think that to hire Dirty Harry would cost the OP more than the £150 that he stands to lose..........

Joking aside this is not a very nice situation that most of us in business encounter on occasion, in all honesty if you write off the £150 you will benefit against your accounts so you are not actually losing the full amount of £150 as some of this was tax to be paid on the job. You also may be acting a little prematurely if it was only a few days ago so send him some reminders with the outstanding amount listed.

Did you fit the flat plat gear? If not you should be able to gain a credit which once again will soften the blow to an extent.

I think your price was very low by the way, why should you do cheap jobs to promote yourself? Your qualities will soon gain you a good reputation which you should not give at low levels of cost. Being cheap can also have an adverse affect on some peoples decisions to hire your services, just my opinion if it counts for anything...............

Just to clarify, total job came to £650. He paid £250 after I did the 1st fix, but still owes the remaining £400. Really he should have paid me more, but he kept bleating about the cost, so I didn't charge for some of the mods.

On adammid's point about the flat plates, it's the first time I've had a customer who wanted them, so wasn't aware of the depth issue. I shan't make that mistake again.

Equally, I don't give verbal quotes anymore. I make sure the customer has it in writing, but that still doesn't stop non-payers.

 

[Gazmm]

the goverment offer a dedicated service for money disputes, google "moneyclaim.gov"
It costs a bit to register a claim but as far as i know your costs get passed on to the losing party. ive never had to use it but might be worth a read.

 

[richy3333]

Register and use Thomas Higgins solicitors. They've been very effective for me this year in recovering bad debts. The £1.50 letter usually secures payment If it doesn't then let the sue this guy for you and also put an ad in the local paper letting others know what a ----er he is

 

[Englishsparks]

Small claims court for me. Minimum cost is £25 then in increments. I always send a 7day intent of further action notice then give a further 7 days then put it into county court. Don't forget the court costs that you pay and interest can be added to the original cost. I have even put a county court judgement against a guy who owed me £40 by the time it finished he paid over £100 for not paying the original bill and because he didn't pay that on time it went against his credit rating too. Never let anyone get away with it. Stck up for your rights. In the eyes of the law you had a verbal contract and that is all that is needed.
he can't dispute what work has been carried out so if it goese the big if! To court the judge will estimate the hours of work etc just accept what the judge says. PS don't get a solicitor, the judge will help you and guide you. I got told that by a solicitor friend of mine

 

[Lefke Lad]

Thanks for the additional advice folks.
I've prepared a N1 claim form, but I think I'll engage Thomas Higgins first and get them to send a 'Letter Before Action'. Their website says this will cost £2 initially. Well worth it if he pays up!
I might also follow the suggestion of putting an ad in the paper naming and shaming, whether he pays or not.

 

[baldelectrician]

Don't get mad- get even

If it goes as far as a decree (CCJ) then wait a month before demanding monies. If he pays within a month then he can have TrustOnline remove the CCJ as if it never existed

The secret is to not push for payment for over 30 days, then it's on his credit file for 6 years.

 

[Thomas123]

Wait until they go to work, get their hose pipe, push it through the letter box, turn it on and run giggling like a girl.

 

[Kyle Chadwick]

What kind of car does he have? Does it have nice working tyres?

Im not suggesting anything by this post, and it should NOT be interperated in anyway shape or form to resemble damaging someones property :smilewinkgrin:. Breaking the law is wrong.

only damage if u slash them just let all the air out

 

[telectrix]

only damage if u slash them just let all the air out

and take tghe valve cores away. then LYAO as you watch him trying ti re-inflate them.