Nightmare customer - advice please

[Destroyer2813]

Plus send recorded so you know shes got em

 

[lame plumber]

you are allowed to assume the royal mail delivers the letters, after all the small claims process relies on basic mail as well 🙂

 

[Best]

you are allowed to assume the royal mail delivers the letters, after all the small claims process relies on basic mail as well 🙂

That's correct, ordinary post will do, but the other party could claim they didn't get some of the letters. Really a must to use registered post as it not only shows letters were received but very importantly it shows to the customer that you mean business & are preparing for a legal route by gathering proof of each letter. It is mind games as well as physical evidence gathering.

 

[albatross]

I had several customers like this in my first year of trading. There are people out there that prey on decent tradesmen and try it on and are experienced at getting out of paying. I wrote off my losses not wanting more stress and time wasted chasing it etc but learnt from it. For the last 6 years every job over say £500 gets a typed quote, a copy of which the cust signs and returns and a 50% deposit must be cleared before even ordering gear. The small print is so tight, the must pay in full on day of completion, no warranties will be registered till payment is made etc. It's a full A4 side I print on the back of both copies. Since doing this I have only had one customer try not paying the final amount and after I forcefully referred him to the contract he signed and demanded payment it soon came. Also if they have signed such a contract they are expecting to pay on the day you finish, I back this up by handing them an invoice on the last day of the job and will stand in the house until they write a cheque.

If you give these kind of people the chance play you they will. If they know they will be tied up legally before you start they behave or go elsewhere. If they still try it on then you need to come down on them like a ton of bricks and show them you mean business and that you will not be played like a fool. It's a battle of wills, they are like school bullies, they will only behave and comply if you show greater strength. Stop being nice, it's got you deeper into the problem. You are running a business, not a charity. Due to the recession there are alot more bad payers about these days. Regarding facebook, if you can block, delete etc anything she has put or any connection to her. If it's a personal page don't be friends with customers. If it's a business page can you prevent anyone commenting on it? It is a very risky thing, all you need is one vindictive person to badmouth you on there an it can spread like wildfire and kill your business. Does the work you get from facebook justify the risk?

 

[wetdrip]

I had several customers like this in my first year of trading. There are people out there that prey on decent tradesmen and try it on and are experienced at getting out of paying. I wrote off my losses not wanting more stress and time wasted chasing it etc but learnt from it. For the last 6 years every job over say £500 gets a typed quote, a copy of which the cust signs and returns and a 50% deposit must be cleared before even ordering gear. The small print is so tight, the must pay in full on day of completion, no warranties will be registered till payment is made etc. It's a full A4 side I print on the back of both copies. Since doing this I have only had one customer try not paying the final amount and after I forcefully referred him to the contract he signed and demanded payment it soon came. Also if they have signed such a contract they are expecting to pay on the day you finish, I back this up by handing them an invoice on the last day of the job and will stand in the house until they write a cheque.

If you give these kind of people the chance play you they will. If they know they will be tied up legally before you start they behave or go elsewhere. If they still try it on then you need to come down on them like a ton of bricks and show them you mean business and that you will not be played like a fool. It's a battle of wills, they are like school bullies, they will only behave and comply if you show greater strength. Stop being nice, it's got you deeper into the problem. You are running a business, not a charity. Due to the recession there are alot more bad payers about these days. Regarding facebook, if you can block, delete etc anything she has put or any connection to her. If it's a personal page don't be friends with customers. If it's a business page can you prevent anyone commenting on it? It is a very risky thing, all you need is one vindictive person to badmouth you on there an it can spread like wildfire and kill your business. Does the work you get from facebook justify the risk?

Would love a copy of your terms and conditions.

 

[albatross]

Section 5b is particularly amusing. I took it with me after a left Gasforce. They will have had it written by lawyers, I made a few adjustments. It's printed on the back of this which they sign:

Acceptance:
Mr & Mrs Smith
36 High Street
Town

12th January 2013

Quotation:
Supply and install:
One Worcester Greenstar 15Ri gas condensing boiler in garage.
Removal and disposal of existing boiler.
All associated pipework, wiring and installation.
Chemically flushing and treating of heating system.
Total: £2000.00

If you wish to proceed please sign below and return. A 50% deposit for £1000.00 will be required either transferred to the account below or by cheque with this acceptance.
Final payment due on day of completion.

I agree to the above quotation and terms and conditions (printed on the rear).

Signed_______________________

Print_________________________

Date_________________________

 

[wetdrip]

Cheers albatross!

 

[manic26]

View attachment 16735

Section 5b is particularly amusing. I took it with me after a left Gasforce. They will have had it written by lawyers, I made a few adjustments. It's printed on the back of this which they sign:

Acceptance:
Mr & Mrs Smith
36 High Street
Town

12th January 2013

Quotation:
Supply and install:
One Worcester Greenstar 15Ri gas condensing boiler in garage.
Removal and disposal of existing boiler.
All associated pipework, wiring and installation.
Chemically flushing and treating of heating system.
Total: £2000.00

If you wish to proceed please sign below and return. A 50% deposit for £1000.00 will be required either transferred to the account below or by cheque with this acceptance.
Final payment due on day of completion.

I agree to the above quotation and terms and conditions (printed on the rear).

Signed_______________________

Print_________________________

Date_________________________

I would appreciate a copy as well, if you wouldn't mind

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Me 3 if possible :lol:

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Love the carpet bit too :lol:

 

[Killy Bing]

Me too me too!

 

[Ermintrude]

Me me me me love a read

 

[Phil]

I think if the roles were reversed I'd run a mile if a tradesman gave me that to sign, I can see why you're doing it though.

 

[clarky101]

Me as well matey....

 

[Ray Stafford]

I was a bit confused about how safety shoes are going to save a life?

Save a toe maybe, but a life?

 

[iain85]

May I grab a copy as well?

 

[albatross]

I was a bit confused about how safety shoes are going to save a life?

Save a toe maybe, but a life?

By preventing electrocution. You are all very welcome a proper copy but the forum only seems to let me upload images. I need a way to send a word document. The only way I can think is if you private message me your email addresses?

 

[albatross]

I think if the roles were reversed I'd run a mile if a tradesman gave me that to sign, I can see why you're doing it though.

In reality customers are thick and lazy and don't read it, they just sign it and assume it like any other contract. It it puts control in your hands and has made my life so much easier.

 

[Destroyer2813]

All you boys asking for a copy just copy it off here

 

[lame plumber]

cant read it, tried up and downing the font, too blury for my old eyes