Non paying customer

[plumb-tech]

Hi has anyone ever had a client turrn round and say there not paying for the work done.
Had a client today did 2 days work for her then she tells me she's not paying and tries to keep finding small things that she says are wrong which are clearly not.
In the end i had to reduce my charges to recieve some sort of payment, hopefully the cheque clears!

 

[macplumb]

Had a mate fitted a bathroom went back the day after he finished for payment. Custemer told him he had never saw him before and mo work had been done at the property and shut the door in his face. Not a happy chappy

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Hi has anyone ever had a client turrn round and say there not paying for the work done.
Had a client today did 2 days work for her then she tells me she's not paying and tries to keep finding small things that she says are wrong which are clearly not.
In the end i had to reduce my charges to recieve some sort of payment, hopefully the cheque clears!

sorry you have been caught mate,learn by this,you will get a feel for peoples characters after a while,if it feels dodgy either walk away[i know thats hard in the times were in]or draw up a contract/works sceduale get them to sign it before you start work they were on the take

 

[Robtheplumb]

Hi has anyone ever had a client turrn round and say there not paying for the work done.
Had a client today did 2 days work for her then she tells me she's not paying and tries to keep finding small things that she says are wrong which are clearly not.
In the end i had to reduce my charges to recieve some sort of payment, hopefully the cheque clears!

I hate this! If you have done a good job and there are no problems then you should get paid. YOU shouldn't have to drop your rate because someone grumbled about the price, you did the work, and I assume you agreed a price first so they should cough up. I had a customer who had some work done over Christmas and New Year, because of the VAT change he quibbled his bill, after some phone calls and a breakdown of cost he was happy to pay the full amount (the extra VAT was £7.50!) You should never have to reduce your charges.

If you went into Tesco on a Friday, got yourself a nice steak, had it for tea on a Saturday, you wouldn't go back on the Sunday and ask for some Money back because you didn't eat it all!!!
Tell the Cow to cough up.

 

[REDSAW]

all been there, got a customer after fitting new system 7 weeks aago still owes us £500.
excuse was oh, didnt realise you finished, i dont have the money today......tick toc.
always get half when you start, that way you only loose labour.

 

[Robtheplumb]

We will have to send the boys round.... I must admit I don't have a lot of trouble with non payers, might have to send a reminder out but it isn't very often I need to send 2 reminders

 

[oldplumber]

send round the wife, mine gets on the phone as and when required, they dont have her mobile so they pickup and she tootles on round in her car for the dosh, only 5'2" but not to be argued with, if she fails, rarely, i dont shave for a couple of days and pop round of an evening for a chat, only failed once when I realised the guy was a poof and wanted me to come in for a chat!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( never got my money on that one)

 

[Puddle]

Touch wood not had a problem for a while,one trick is to find out were they work and call in with your invoice,surrounded by work mates and the boss can work wonders,does not look good when you say have done two days work and not got paid
My Friend used to go round with his gas bill ect and ask them to pay it

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

everyone will get these 'cowboy customers' throughout there working life

And they are not easy to spot

Im a fan of take half money now and half later

I do benefit from pursuasive friends and wouldn't want any accidents to happen to their property whilst i waited for money

 

[stevetheplumber]

send round the wife, mine gets on the phone as and when required, they dont have her mobile so they pickup and she tootles on round in her car for the dosh, only 5'2" but not to be argued with, if she fails, rarely, i dont shave for a couple of days and pop round of an evening for a chat, only failed once when I realised the guy was a poof and wanted me to come in for a chat!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( never got my money on that one)

really ,what did you get ?lol

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

really ,what did you get ?lol

brilliant!

 

[tibbs]

I m a plasterer and in my line its difficult taking money up front prob because the materials are considerably less than in your game. You do get the odd suprise at times but as long as you stick to your guns then there should nt be a problem . Some people do hpoe that they can intimidate you into walking away or accepting less but once you agree a price thats it. If you re soft then expect to get s*** on simple as that and its usually a certain `type` of customer that tries it on but i could nt possibly say which on here🙄

 

[jasondude]

Make sure you get half as a depo before the work has been started. That is a safety net..

Jason Karitt
London Surrey Plumber

 

[wnjswozo]

always half up front anything over£200,

 

[dontknowitall]

I like to trust my customers and wait for payment only when I've finished a job, unless it's over a month long.

It's a risk but so is running a business. If I'm asked if I want an interim payment I turn it down saying that I like to finish everything before asking for money and I feel it creates a better impression.

Only difficulty I've had so far is a long wait for money, but so far patience has always been rewarded.

 

[quality]

I like to trust my customers and wait for payment only when I've finished a job, unless it's over a month long.

It's a risk but so is running a business. If I'm asked if I want an interim payment I turn it down saying that I like to finish everything before asking for money and I feel it creates a better impression.

Only difficulty I've had so far is a long wait for money, but so far patience has always been rewarded.

I have worked on a similar basis for over 20 years and have never not been paid

 

[tibbs]

I like to trust my customers and wait for payment only when I've finished a job, unless it's over a month long.

It's a risk but so is running a business. If I'm asked if I want an interim payment I turn it down saying that I like to finish everything before asking for money and I feel it creates a better impression.

Only difficulty I've had so far is a long wait for money, but so far patience has always been rewarded.

Exactly my approach. It annoys you when your`re taken for granted but these customers are in the minority. The good reputation gained is worth it in my experience.

 

[peteh20]

small claims court will cost 75 ish but the officicial court letter normally works and loosing 75 is better than loosing over 500 but no concilation we've all been there and got the t-shirt.

 

[unguided1]

Revenge is a dish best served cold.
You may, end up not getting yer money back, but it aint half satisfying knowing the sort of dammage a couple of well shaken, large tins of expandy foam with the tops knocked off can do, it plays havoc with the hoover

 

[Winston]

LOL once for a pub landlord, wasnt going to pay after I had written to him chasing payment, went to the wc,s and removed the syphons and then stuck the lids down with sealant. Job done 😀 think he got the message after I asked if I could have a few pints and not pay 😀