Non-paying customers !!!

pitkin2020

Acc72 wrote: »

And this is probably what she is hoping for !

If you are confident that you have provided the service agreed, to the agreed quality then surely it is only reasonable that your customer pays the total amount agreed ?

Just write to the customer on letter headed paper, stating the treatment given, the cost, amount received and amount outstanding to be paid immediately.

You then can start a paper trail. The week after send a reminder letter, and the week after (assuming the amount has still not been paid) send a 7 day letter.

You can then pursue this through the small claims court - you can do this on line relatively simply and low cost.

Sound advice, if you don't already have a paper trail start one now as it will help to go forward. Keep all emails/texts etc she can't then turn around and deny having the service/product should it get to court.

Best of luck

[Deleted User]

Tempted to do this because I know we're in the right....

Stupidly, gave the woman our bank details to pay the remainder as well. I think that was a bad idea. Think I better watch bank account for any strange direct debits turning up for a while.

Problem is, and this is really sad, it appears you cant trust anyone and have got to assume everyone is a lying, cheating scumbag.

Quentin

Giving out your bank details isn't dangerous (you do it on every cheque you issue).

If she has a facility to issue dds, then she won't jeopardise it over getting retribution out of you by setting up a false one to dip into your account.

Beware the issue of a counterclaim if you go ahead and sue. Maybe you need to get this out of the way first by refusing in writing to refund the money she has requested off you, and stating why her request is refused.

[Deleted User]

Quentin wrote: »

Giving out your bank details isn't dangerous (you do it on every cheque you issue).

If she has a facility to issue dds, then she won't jeopardise it over getting retribution out of you by setting up a false one to dip into your account.

Beware the issue of a counterclaim if you go ahead and sue. Maybe you need to get this out of the way first by refusing in writing to refund the money she has requested off you, and stating why her request is refused.

True enough.

No, I meant online or something.

Didnt someone set up a DD to a charity after Jeremy Clarkson gave out his bank details?

I'm guessing he could have phoned his bank and claimed it was fraudulent under the direct debit guarantee. Would they have had to refund it?

To be honest, tempted to just leave it. Annoying though it is because I know we're right. Got no proof of her owing it anyway - its a verbal agreement so she'll probably say she paid or something anyway.

[Deleted User]

Its just so annoying because we're just a small family business and people think they can throw a wobbler and get it for free just because they kick up a fuss.

Beginning to learn that in this world, there are people out there who have no morals at all, and that assuming eveyone is fair (or acts fairly like you would) is a mistake....

pitkin2020

only can decide to drop it or pursue it. Way up the pros and cons and make a decision but most importantly learn a lesson from this experience and ensure you have the paper trail in place from now so should this EVER happen again you have the correct information to present in court and can fight it knowing you have everything in place to win.

Acc72

[quote=[Deleted User];48537703]
To be honest, tempted to just leave it. Annoying though it is because I know we're right. Got no proof of her owing it anyway - its a verbal agreement so she'll probably say she paid or something anyway.[/QUOTE]

Just send her a statement - detailing the treatment given, date of treatment, deposit paid and amount outstanding.

At the bottom, just ask for the remaining balance to be paid.

No need to mention any dispute etc. or visits to bank etc.

See what happens - she will either ignore the letter (at which point, send the polite reminder, then a 7 day letter then go legal), or she will respond either by letter (at which point you have the proof of treatment) or by phone (at which point ask her to put any complaint in writing).

Do a google search on taking on-line legal action, it is not as difficult as you might think.

This "customer" has more than likely done this before and plays on the fact that most people cannot be bothered to go through with chasing the payment.

[Deleted User]

Acc72 wrote: »

Just send her a statement - detailing the treatment given, date of treatment, deposit paid and amount outstanding.

At the bottom, just ask for the remaining balance to be paid.

No need to mention any dispute etc. or visits to bank etc.

See what happens - she will either ignore the letter (at which point, send the polite reminder, then a 7 day letter then go legal), or she will respond either by letter (at which point you have the proof of treatment) or by phone (at which point ask her to put any complaint in writing).

Do a google search on taking on-line legal action, it is not as difficult as you might think.

This "customer" has more than likely done this before and plays on the fact that most people cannot be bothered to go through with chasing the payment.

Yeh. I think you're right.

Tempted to do this but like I said, we did get this a few years ago and it was major hassle with our insurance. In the end, wished we'd just refunded the person.

Might add that we've had 99.9% very happy customers but there are one or two weirdos out there !!!

Quentin

[quote=[Deleted User];48537703]....To be honest, tempted to just leave it. Annoying though it is because I know we're right. Got no proof of her owing it anyway - its a verbal agreement so she'll probably say she paid or something anyway.[/QUOTE]

There are 2 issues though (her claim for a refund after being unhappy with the work done as well as your claim for the unpaid bill).

If you "just leave it", then she has the upper hand over her claim for a refund.

bengalknights

Pursue her all the way and put it a 7 day letter, she can either put up or defend.