Customer reversed bank transfer

[mfgs]

Why haven't you invoiced them? A court would not look in your favour if you didn't. Quickly do one, post date it, email, post one recorded deliverery and drop one off.

Agreed, you really should be invoicing.

I didn't know you could reverse a bank transfer though, its good to know and something I will have to watch out for. Not that I get many problems with customers paying.

 

[rpm]

Work all done word of mouth is dangerous on a 3k job, written quote with your T&C`s and acceptance signature next time mate.

 

[Masood]

Work all done word of mouth is dangerous on a 3k job, written quote with your T&C`s and acceptance signature next time mate.

I really need to start getting some sort of acceptance signature. Also some terms and conditions. Maybe something that says "payment of the deposit indicates acceptance of these terms".

How would people on here feel about getting a set of T&Cs drawn by a lawyer that we could all use. We all do similar work so it should be fairly universal. If a 100 of us chip in, say, £20 each that would cover it (based on a quote I had from a firm of lawyers working via the FSBs. It may have included a FSB members' discount, and obviously would vary if we wanted a lot of variable clauses to tailor-make the T & Cs for our individual firms).

I know some people have very generously shared theirs but unless drawn up by a lawyer I wouldn't be sure how watertight they are.

 

[mfgs]

I really need to start getting some sort of acceptance signature. Also some terms and conditions. Maybe something that says "payment of the deposit indicates acceptance of these terms".

How would people on here feel about getting a set of T&Cs drawn by a lawyer that we could all use. We all do similar work so it should be fairly universal. If a 100 of us chip in, say, £20 each that would cover it (based on a quote I had from a firm of lawyers working via the FSBs. It may have included a FSB members' discount, and obviously would vary if we wanted a lot of variable clauses to tailor-make the T & Cs for our individual firms).

I know some people have very generously shared theirs but unless drawn up by a lawyer I wouldn't be sure how watertight they are.

Sounds like a good idea to me and certainly something I would be interested in. I have had very few payment issues since I have worked for myself, but there is no harm in taking an extra precaution to protect myself and my business.

 

[Masood]

Sounds like a good idea to me and certainly something I would be interested in. I have had very few payment issues since I have worked for myself, but there is no harm in taking an extra precaution to protect myself and my business.

Ditto mate. I've had one bad debt of £75 (touch wood) and one guy quibbling but it's a worry as I'm getting involved with bigger and more valuable jobs. I always cover materials and part of my labour cost in the deposit, but it's just one less thing to worry about...

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

I've had 3 in 10 or so years of being self employed. First one had postmix in his stopcock chamber for his troubles, Childish I know but I was only 22. Second one I went to court and won as they also stole tools off me and police found them and now this one. I would definitely be interested Masood. Every job needs to be signed and t&c's agreed upon.

 

[mfgs]

Ditto mate. I've had one bad debt of £75 (touch wood) and one guy quibbling but it's a worry as I'm getting involved with bigger and more valuable jobs. I always cover materials and part of my labour cost in the deposit, but it's just one less thing to worry about...

Do you find people get funny in giving deposits? I have never taken a deposit for any job and just trust they will pay. I have always had it in my head that it looks a bit dodgy asking for money upfront and people would either think that you may do a runner with the money or that you aren't successful enough to be able to afford the materials. Not that I am aiming either of those at you, just for clarification haha. Its just how it feels to me.

Sorry to go off topic.

 

[rpm]

Doesn`t have to be pages long, think it`s best to keep it simple.

All goods supplied remain property of xxxx until full payment is received and cleared.
Late payments will result in accruing interest being added at a daily rate of x%.
Old water valves and electrical items can develop faults once supply is turned off and then on.
Upon removing *** and finding additional unforeseen costs a revised quote will be given.

And so on.

 

[plumben]

I've had 3 in 10 or so years of being self employed. First one had postmix in his stopcock chamber for his troubles, Childish I know but I was only 22. Second one I went to court and won as they also stole tools off me and police found them and now this one. I would definitely be interested Masood. Every job needs to be signed and t&c's agreed upon.

Postmix and broken glass last thing at night, and whilst your at it a few drywall screws lightly threaded into the inside edge of both tyres on the cars 😉

 

[Masood]

All goods supplied remain property of xxxx until full payment is received and cleared.

See - that's not actually enforceable. Once installed in the customer's property, it's theirs (as I understand it). If you remove them, it's criminal damage.

It's things like that, that everyone puts on their T &Cs but wouldn't stand up to a legal challenge, that I want to avoid. If I start attaching T &Cs to quotes, I want them to be solid.

 

[rpm]

Agree you can`t remove it but it is still yours until paid for, that`s the way I understand it so again agree with you wanting it water tight but is there such a thing?

 

[Leo21]

I haven't read all the above posts, and this may have already been said.

For gods sake put it in writing that you have tried to contact them to try and arrange to fix the leak. Don't leave them any excuses to make a claim against you . There probably isn't a leak anyway.

 

[Millsy 82]

Do you find people get funny in giving deposits? I have never taken a deposit for any job and just trust they will pay. I have always had it in my head that it looks a bit dodgy asking for money upfront and people would either think that you may do a runner with the money or that you aren't successful enough to be able to afford the materials. Not that I am aiming either of those at you, just for clarification haha. Its just how it feels to me.

Sorry to go off topic.

Some people don't like it but majority of people don't hesitate with it. If people do query it then I just say I'm a one man band if I get knocked for a couple of grand that will mean I can't pay my mortgage, I had one person say what if you don't turn up to which I said I'm not going to get a bad name for a grand or 2 maybe a million I might think about it and he laughed and paid the deposit.

 

[mutley racers]

See - that's not actually enforceable. Once installed in the customer's property, it's theirs (as I understand it). If you remove them, it's criminal damage.

It's things like that, that everyone puts on their T &Cs but wouldn't stand up to a legal challenge, that I want to avoid. If I start attaching T &Cs to quotes, I want them to be solid.

I am up for that. Like you also I have never had problems with non paying customers but then if I think they are dodgy I don't get back to them.

I have looked at the terms and conditions on British gases quotes and they are something to behold. A bit ott I think

 

[Best]

Paper trail is what you depend on if things go to court, so you should have quotes, invoices, letters (texts, emails or in paper). If the customer makes a complaint - like this alleged leaking toilet, be sure to politely reply to them and have proof of that, plus proof you asked to look at it and any repair work you might do later. Reason why I am saying that is the courts will find a tradesman guilty if he has been accused of leaving bad workmanship and has not produced proof of what he did to try to resolve the alleged fault.
In Small Claims courts, as far as I know, if you win and the other person refuses to pay, then you can take it further and get the money from their wages, or other property, - that's if your customer has wages or assets.
I always understood a cheque is a promise to pay and anyone withdrawing a cheque would have to have a very good reason to be allowed to not pay, - such as fraud.

 

[Best]

If you get all your money and do go back to look at the toilet, take somebody, - (doesn't have to in the trade,) with you as a witness.
Also borrow a Porsche and drive up to their door.

 

[Masood]

Do you find people get funny in giving deposits? I have never taken a deposit for any job and just trust they will pay. I have always had it in my head that it looks a bit dodgy asking for money upfront and people would either think that you may do a runner with the money or that you aren't successful enough to be able to afford the materials. Not that I am aiming either of those at you, just for clarification haha. Its just how it feels to me.

Sorry to go off topic.

Only ever had one person quibble about a deposit. It was for about 2.5K for a boiler and unvented cylinder, when I had just started out on my own. I suggested they phone the merchant with their credit card details and pay for the materials. The merchant took the payment 2.5K, and the proportion of it that was covering part of my labour, he gave me in credit on my account. So all worked out in the end.

Actually, thinking about it, I had one other person refuse a deposit. It was only a small job - straight swap of an electric shower. But she refused to give me her address, email address or even her surname. Only knew first name and a mobile number. Insisted on meeting at the rental property and I had to text her the price (obviously couldn't post or email). No way I was doing that job without payment up front!

 

[oz-plumber]

Shouldn't have to feel this way about work and if customer is going to pay or not

Get used to it.

Probably the reason I haven't had a descent nights sleep in 15 years.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Large jobs always ask for part payment when materials on site 1st day, Clause that materials belong to you until paid for, just add if not paid then a rental or hire charge of your property will be made at so much per day !

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

Update.
Money is back into my account. The bank basically take it out and put it into a holding account until it's disputed. However the one who recieved the funds is in favour. If they claim the money is rightfully there's then that's it. So transfers are safe after all. Still a crap feeling with worry as it took me 3 weeks to complete and the mortgage is due on monday.