Help - Window company damaged our dining table

Smithers_uk

Back in July we had new windows installed by Provincial Windows in East Grinstead. During the process one of the numb nut laborers placed a cleaning rag on our dining room table. The rag had cleaning fluids on it that stripped the varnish off the table. We spoke to the MD of the company who advised us that they accepted responsibility of the damage and instructed us to get some quotes for the repair.

We did this and faxed them through to them for their approval and to get the company to send us payment for the repair. After numerous calls to them, no call back from them at all we finally got the go ahead on the 26/08/8 to have the table repaired on the agreement that the window company would send me the payment on receipt of the invoice for the repair. We instructed the furniture company to collect the table and for the repair to be started. We received an invoice on the 24/09/2008. This was again sent to Provincial Windows and we had to chase them by numerous calls to see if they had received the invoice. I finally spoke to the MD who said he had approved the payment 2 days after receiving the invoice and was not sure why it had not been sent. He said he would get back to me.

Now today I chased him but he was not available to see if the payment had been sent.

I don’t know what to do next as I feel we have given them plenty of time to settle the payment to us. We have had to chase this issue all the way and are pretty hacked off now as this wasn’t even our mistake and we are having to sort this out.

Can any one advise?

SaraSeahorse

write to him send special delivery or recorded and give x days to settle invoice.

He hasn't said he wouldn't pay (in this day and age you have at leats not had to have that argument) - it may be the accounts department that are the delay. Yes it would be great if they could work faster but this is typical of many departments, authorisation etc.

Out of interest, just in case you have to take any further action to you ever get anything in writing that they agreed to pay or that the damage was their responsibility.

Smithers_uk

Cheers Saraseahorse. Nothing in writing to say that they accepted liability but I they did request a photo for their records. As you said I will send them a letter giving them 7 working days to settle the invoice, along with a stamped addressed envelope. Then if no response I shall go to the CAB.

Reggie_Rebel

Go to their offices or showroom, create a fuss, get cheque go to bank, pay it in. Go home

gairlochgal

The finance system where I work defaults to a BACS transfer in 30 days from time of entry, and the inputter has to have paperwork telling them to do different if something is more urgent. That can go awry if there are too many links in the chain between the person authorising the expenditure and the person actually sitting at a screen processing the payment. The letter as advised above sounds sensible.

Good luck with it

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

What are the payment terms on the invoice?

Is the invoice addressed to them or you?

As said a lot of companies default to 30 days on invoices and if the invoice was not addressed to them or did not state a payment date this will be why I reckon

Just because he has signed it off doesnt mean the finance team have paid it

I would suggest some patience