Customer won't pay, help please

Wywth

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

True, but I've found a Solicitors LBA to be more effective than a personal one.

I haven't.
My experience is you can split the recipients into 2 classes
a) those who take an LBA as serious, no matter who sends it
b) those who take the cavalier attitude of "bring it on" when issued with an LBA
(I usually find they are not quite so cavalier when they receive with court papers, to which of course the court fees are also added)

earthstorm

but having a solicitors headed LBA will be more effective than a personal one.

I use HL Legal and Collections they charge £1 per LBA

Wywth

earthstorm wrote: »

but having a solicitors headed LBA will be more effective than a personal one.

I use HL Legal and Collections they charge £1 per LBA

In your opinion

Care to explain why you think this?

I think it would be less likely to succeed, not only because of the reasons I posted earlier, but also if you need to use a solicitor to send an LBA, it demonstrates that you are probably not very confident on the whole small claims process, and so perhaps are unlikely to resort to that if/when push comes to shove.

(You can, of course, instruct a solicitor to raise a small claim and even act for you throughout the whole process, but the costs are not recoverable in small claims and it really isn't necessary. The whole reason small claims was set up was to avoid the necessity for expensive solicitors)

jackyann

I agree that in the future he should give written quotes.

I guess that a lot of MSE people know this, but when we did our self build I was astonished at the difference in prices. On one occasion I rang a very good local firm and said "I can buy 10 doors (of a particular kind) at half the price on the internet, but would prefer you to have the custom". They went to the manufacturer and asked for a discount and then passed it on to me.
Our electrician asked me to buy all of the goods myself, then charged me only for labour. Not sure if this is a reasonable option for your husband, but gets round the "cheaper on the internet" issue.

earthstorm

Wywth wrote: »

In your opinion

Care to explain why you think this?

I think it would be less likely to succeed, not only because of the reasons I posted earlier, but also if you need to use a solicitor to send an LBA, it demonstrates that you are probably not very confident on the whole small claims process, and so perhaps are unlikely to resort to that if/when push comes to shove.

(You can, of course, instruct a solicitor to raise a small claim and even act for you throughout the whole process, but the costs are not recoverable in small claims and it really isn't necessary. The whole reason small claims was set up was to avoid the necessity for expensive solicitors)

you only use the solicitor to send the LBA, which in my experience works perfectly as this usually does the trick as just because its from a solicitor, shows that you are prepared to go further. if the LBA fails you can use moneyclaim to start small claims process which will cost you £25 to start. in 11 years i have only had to go the whole small claim and even to CCJ once, as whenever i have had to issue an LBA this has been successful in getting them to pay. dont forget an LBA cannot be issued in Scotland

Acc72

Kass wrote: »

She has gone online and sourced the doors that my husband fitted for her at a cheaper price and says she will only pay this price.

The final amount is not a great deal - a few hundred - but it makes a real difference.

What is the difference between what he wants and what she wants to pay ?

I would take whatever money she has offered and give her a receipt (as long as it does not say "full and final payment" or something on the receipt).

He can then write to her for the difference and "threatening" legal action - although as it would cost at least £50 to do this, you may decide that it just isn't worth it.

Either way, he needs to work out what went wrong and ensure that something similar doesn't happen in the future, whether that is written quotes, stage payments or whatever.

adonis

How does she know the doors on the internet are the same quality as the ones your husband fitted, also prices can change all the time for various reasons.

If the doors are dearer online would she pay you the difference,
just sue her for the full amount.:mad: