Should I remind tradesman to cash my cheque?

Browntoa

I had a builder do work for me many years ago, quote for work was in the region of £6000

I paid some materials etc up front and as work progressed , when work was complete asked him for a final balance I owed him, he pulled out a folder and quoted about £1000 less than I thought from his own paperwork which I paid and get a final "paid in full " receipt

I think he was running 2 sets of paperwork , one for the taxman and one for customers and mixed the 2 sets up . I waited ages for him to come back and ask for more but he never did

francophilissima

Of course you should, it's the honest thing to do

jayyar66

Given that so many people have problems finding good tradesmen they can trust, I'm completely shocked at the "it's his problem" attitude of some of the previous posters. As a self employed tradesman, I take great pride in the good working relationships that I have with all my customers, relationships that I have taken great care to nurture over the years. Please don't forget that in order to achieve this kind of working relationship, it is incumbent on both parties to make an effort.

stmartinsdiver

You've not actually 'paid the bill' as no monies have changed hands but you have done your bit and provisioned for the payment to be made. It's clearly worrying you so do something about it and give the man a quick call and remind him as he's due the money and may have lost/forgotten the cheque and your conscience will then be clear.

pollypenny

I would remind him. If you've found a good tradesman, especially one you'd call on again, you need to look after him.

If he's done a good job, he deserves paying. It's about mutual respect, really.

Btw: all the young tradesmen who do jobs for us, plumber, electrician and tree surgeon, prefer cheques so that they don't spend the cash.

joehoover

Remind him, your conscience is telling you too. I can't imagine how anyone would take offense at being reminded they haven't taken money they were owed. Shame other posters think it's his problem, and I expect they would think the opposite if the role was reversed and it was them being owed the money - they would probably be very grateful they were reminded. But why think of others when we can put ourselves first right....

Catcherupper14

I would remind him.


If he is good at his work, he may be very busy and unable to get round to going to the bank - but a reminder that the cheque is still undrawn would not go amiss if he has forgotten.


I would be grateful if a customer reminded me that I had overlooked a payment. I would certainly be inclined to do my best for that person in the future.


Often the best tradespeople are the least business-like, because they value the quality of their workmanship over making a buck.


They really should not "go bust". There are too many incompetent money-grubbers around as it is.

Fujiko

pollypenny wrote: »

I would remind him. If you've found a good tradesman, especially one you'd call on again, you need to look after him.

If he's done a good job, he deserves paying. It's about mutual respect, really.

Btw: all the young tradesmen who do jobs for us, plumber, electrician and tree surgeon, prefer cheques so that they don't spend the cash.

Of course you're right, good reliable tradesmen are like gold dust so it is very much in the customer's interest to build a good relationship which in my book means paying the bill as soon as it is received. However, I am rather surprised that cheques are still the usual way of paying, especially as I am sure they are on their way out. I find many tradesmen carry a card machine so that you can pay immediately by debit or credit card. Also, the larger firms seem now to have their bank account details on their bill so that payment can be made over the internet. Much simpler for everyone.
Incidentally, I was amused by young tradesmen preferring cheques to cash. I think some still prefer cash so that nothing goes through the books!

Teacher2

I don't think you are under any obligation to remind the tradesman to cash his cheque but your asking the question in the first place is an indication that you realise it's the right thing to do. I would. You'll feel better.

tain

The only reason I'd bother is if I'm likely to forget about the money and then go into my overdraft when the cheque is finally cashed.