Join in if you are self-employed and work from home

TCM_3

Well done Carrie!!! Its a great feeling when it all comes together!

Mudbath, I would ask for a small charge at the time of booking - anyone genuine won't mind, even £5 then it comes off the price at the end.

I had a scam letter this morning telling me I was entitled to an estate of someone who had died in a car crash and I would be getting $8 million.

Purpleroses

yup getting ready for the states. Leave in a week eep! I got Debra Dragons den womans book but will leave it for the flight.

TCM_3

OOOOHHHH Purple, when do you go??? Am getting really excited on your behalf!!!! The book is brilliant - I'd recommend it to anyone in business, be it someone starting up or someone, like myself, trying their best but sometimes not getting very far!

Purpleroses

lol thanks TCM i'm quite excited too! Fly out a week tomorrow morning. Was talking to our agent today and he's set up meetings at 7am!!! he was talking like this is a normal thing?!

Horace

LOL Purple - they're called breakfast meetings:rotfl: I am all excited for you myself and am glad that you got DM's book to read on the flight:D Now that TCM has read it, she can see what I have been on about.

I won't be around much tomorrow as I have to go to the eye hospital - I need to get up at 6am as I need to be there for 9.45am and its two bus rides away:rolleyes: Have picked up a mystery shop though too:D

Have a good day all - I am off for a coffee and a slob in front of the telly for an hour or so.:D

miket1964

Hi All

Just found the thread and thought I would join in.
My name is Mike and I run my own Graphic Design and Print business.
Just me doing it all.
Debt wise struggling at the moment and this is not being helped, because of late payments or non payments to my business means my credit rating is at an all time low because I have been late or missed payments on my credit cards etc.
I have a couple of bad debts at the moment, so any advice would be appreciated.
First one is a leaflet I produce and printed for a hairdressing business.
The invoice was for £290.00 completed last November.
The proprietor has made no attempt to pay after numerous communications.
Anyway decided on the County Court route, which judgement was pass in my favour.
Tried to contact again to see if they would pay without getting baliffs involved. No reponse.
Baliffs have tried unsuccessfully to recover funds, they have assigned goods to seize and to auction to cover the debt.
But I have been advised today that if they cannot be certain if the goods belong to the salon (sale or return) or if owner refuses to pay, then there is nothing more the court baliffs can do!!! Unless I can identify other goods!!!
So I am completely at a loss - feel very frustrated, that the law does not seem to be on my side and that the owner seems to know how to play the game and eventually get away with it.
Anyone have any ideas on this one.

Second bad debt for £1200 - I have done work for this guy before, it was for a local pizza shop, full works, new shop front design, leaflets, press advert, menus, posters etc.
He paid a £500 deposit and asked for a little more time to pay after the 30 days terms invoice was due.
As I had done work for him last year, I was unduly worried.
Anyway was going past the premises and noted that the new signs had been removed. Called in to be told that the premises was under new managment and had reverted back to the old business (premises rented).
The guy who owes me had closed up, moved out of his rented home and gone.
Sent him an email to ask if he intended to pay, he did reply, said the business was not working, deciding to declare himself bankrupt etc, which he has not. I asked him who was handling the bankruptcy.
Managed to find my signs and some of the leaflets abandoned in the garage of the house he was renting. The landlord apparently is a friend of the debtor and no longer lives in the UK. The house is up for sale. Left the items in the garage as they are no use to me.
Again I feel helpless, frustrated. Anyone any ideas on tracking this guy down and trying to recover some of the funds.
Regards
Mike

moneymabel

Hi mike-sorry no ideas to help your dilemma but wanted to wish you luck in sorting it out and welcome you to the thread.

TCM_3

Hi Mike - a bit like Mabel I'm afraid, not sure what advice to offer, but welcome to the thread - perhaps when Horace gets back she'll be able to offer some (walking encylopedia of info is H!) Its never nice having to chase money, especially when you have done the work well and the customer is happy. I can't understand why the court is not helping, I thought if they did not pay up then you could seize goods or work out a payment schedule or something? Thankfully, its a position I have never been in and hope not to be in.

A bit busier today, thankfully. The car is up for MOT again today (has failed twice on silly things - one was a light that blew on the dashboard when the silly man got into it - he could see it worked then the fuse went but he obviously was having a bad hair day)

Purple, if your business meeting is 7am think of all the exploring time you'll have! Have you room in your suitcase for a short blonde bird with a funny irish accent?

ally_bally_3

Hi all

Been super busy this last week - worked all dat Saturday too doing stage management for a community festival. Managed an hour out in the amazing sunshine today with a book as a treat, I am working the V festival all weekend so feel I deserve to give myself a couple of slow hours!

Interesting reading about the FSB - I have been thinking of joining for a while - seems you all have pretty good things to say about them? I don't need a card reader etc but still think it looks like a good organisation to be a member of...

Mike - welcome and sorry to hear about your bad debts. Again, afraid I can't offer much advise but hope you get it sorted out. Maybe you need to start charging bigger deposits on large jobs but suppose hindsight is a wonderful thing. Keep us updated.

Hope everyone else is enjoying the sunshine...

Allison
x

charlotte86_2

Hi everyone, this is my first post:j
I am also self-employed and trying to motivate myself. I have a private tuition business and I am in the process of trying to expand it which means lots to do! This page is a great idea, gives everyone a chance to have a chat and stave of the boredom that comes from working alone!

I look forward to speaking to you all