Help with rouge customers

[stevetheplumber]

as in turn off and fill with concrete

 

[Bartdude]

I find expanding foam can end up in all sorts of places.

 

[kirkgas]

best advice i can offer is to sort out terms and conditions BEFORE you do any work, it is not worth discussing what we think of your charge (PS i think the charge is more than fair) it is what the guy thinks that matters, i appreciate you dont want to go back to the bath repair, however play him at his own game, go back ad ask the tenant if it has been leaking since you fixed it, when did they tell the agent it was still faulty (if they even have) tell the guy you have a good reputation and dont want to spoil it with him, get him to confirm he will pay you for the bath job, when you visit and check what is going on, but will bill him extra if the bath isnt leaking, offer him to go and confirm it is still leaking before you go then see his reaction, tell him you then want paid for the taps job, OR simply tell him to pay you what he thinks is fair for both jobs and NEVER to phone you EVER again, tell him the taps were £70 so that is the minimum you will accept, so even if he gives you just the £70 you have covered a wee bit of time, at least you will have the satisfaction of telling him to F off when he phones you in a few weeks atr 10pm for another job, if you go down this route DO NOT BACK DOWN AND GO TO A 10PM JOB AGAIN as he will torture you again as you are weak, haha hope it gets sorted out

 

[Dannypipe]

I've got a client who's being evasive. He agreed to a quote, I did the work, but just his wife was home and said he'd send me a cheque from his business account. Called him last Wednesday, said are you happy with the work? 'Oh yeah, very happy, I must send you that cheque..... still not here.

I feel your pain mate

 

[kimbo]

I would have thought an out of hours call out at 10pm was worth £80 on its own I bet no one else would even turn up.

 

[Gray0689]

as in turn off and fill with concrete

That's just not right























Postcrete is quicker drying lol

 

[GQuigley67]

good luck anyway mate can be very frustrating take it out on a punch bag usually helps lol saves you getting the jail !

 

[fuzzy]

10pm call out! yeh thats gota be worth a bit

 

[dontknowitall]

If I'm not paid on the spot and have to send an invoice I add £10/10% to the bill. If they pay within 14 days they get the rate that was agreed otherwise they have to pay me more. Worked everytime for quicker payment ... so far ...

 

[alex]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys! Many good ideas, will try to reply to comments, cant take tap back as property is now empty and cant get access. would dearly love to pour concrete into his outside stopcock (i really like this), but since hes built like a brick poo house and my home address is clearly visible on my website i think i might have to show some restraint. Im a member of the FSB who offer discounted debt recovery unfortunately its all front they send out 3 letters from a solicitor threatening court action ccj's etc. but after these letters it isnt followed up with any action without substantial additional cost.
As it happens i have already done what kirkgas suggested, have arranged to go around on friday evening and asked him to meet me there which he refused since apparently he isnt stupid enough to be working on a friday night lol! either way will go round find out what is actually happening from the tenant can put right anything small scale then hopefully then he wont have anymore excuses.
It does seem to raise a point though over the last 5 years i have experienced this problem maybe 3 or 4 times (ALWAYS WITH LANDLORDS / DEVELOPERS) and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much protection for honest tradesmen, but god forbid we step out of line because then we would be all over watchdog! ohh well thanks for letting me rant, i dont often post but i read this forum regularly and it seems to be the only one about where plumbers constructively help one another as apposed to belittling each others talents in a macho contest of "im the best plumber" (mentioning no names *cough* screwfix forums). cheers guys

 

[plumberdarren]

Anybody who says £80 is expensive for a night call out and refit the following day is undercharging, I think that is perfectly reasonable.

 

[Gray0689]

Anyone that thinks there the best usually are pretty poor to everyone else except themselves

 

[kirkgas]

Anyone that thinks there the best usually are pretty poor to everyone else except themselves

what does your post mean in relation the the topic here?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i was thinking the same kirk

 

[GQuigley67]

Anyone that thinks there the best usually are pretty poor to everyone else except themselves

seems a bit harsh tbh everyones got different prices it all depends on what part of the country your from imho

 

[Bartdude]

what does your post mean in relation the the topic here?

I think he's referring to the last couple of sentences of the post at the top of the page.

 

[Blake]

Your prices are more than fair and I shake my head in disbelief that some might find that expensive for a 10pm call out and a 2nd visit.

Do a google search for free solicitors letter, there are loads offering them. They will send a letter out on your behalf which may make he realise he needs to pay you.

 

[woodsy]

I again think that £80 is more than fair and a 10pm callout would justify the fee alone. The landlord had the opputunity to just turn the water off himself and call you out next day but if he or the tenant can't be bothered then they have to pay. Always makes me laugh when customers say i work until 7pm you can come then or on a sunday to fix this etc and when you state that a you don't work weekends or nights or you would charge after hours rates they look at you as if you have no right to a life.

 

[blayedrunner]

100% concur with Woodsy!!!!

 

[Azzerus]

Go to the house with the bath problem, turn water off at stop tap and then take the handle off the stop tap until he pays up. Then charge him to fix the stop tap 😀