Forget 'Rogue Traders' - what about 'Rogue Customers'???

Raksha

I run dog training classes and positively encourage cash, especially if a client signs up with no time to clear a cheque before the course starts.

I learnt this one the hard way after a family with their first puppy signed up for a place on a class (the numbers in the class are limited so nobody gets overwhelmed, best for dogs and owners). They were asked to pay by cash on the first class, but I normally ask for payment in advance. They paid by cheque! Then I got an email two days later saying that the puppy had gone back to the breeder and could they have a refund. I said I didn't give refunds, but they could use it as payment for the next dog they got. Then they said dog ownership wasn't for them (maybe this pup had had a lucky escape) and they would like a full refund....... Again, I declined - I had turned people away as they had taken the last place on the class....... I heard no more, until 2 weeks later when I had a letter from my bank saying the cheque had been 'reported stolen'!!

Apparently this is a blanket term often used if a cheque book goes missing, when all unreconciled cheques are stopped. But to my mind, there was only one person doing the stealing, and it wasn't me!

kaznelson

I am a experienced Credit Controller working part-time for myself. I would advise you invoice them the full amount, showing the part payment you have received.

Include a letter with it demanding the remaining balance within 7 days.

If no joy after 7 days, inform them by writing that unless payment is received in full within 3 days you will be submitting a County Court Claim against them for the full balance plus costs.

This should be enough to get them cough up before xmas!!

Good luck

Lifeisbutadream

kaznelson wrote: »

I am a experienced Credit Controller working part-time for myself. I would advise you invoice them the full amount, showing the part payment you have received.

Include a letter with it demanding the remaining balance within 7 days.

If no joy after 7 days, inform them by writing that unless payment is received in full within 3 days you will be submitting a County Court Claim against them for the full balance plus costs.

This should be enough to get them cough up before xmas!!

Good luck

Hi, thanks - I have sent 2 further invoices since this happened and no joy.

I am going to let this one go - I wouldnt under normal circumstances (we took someone to court last year with a non payment of £1400 and ended up having to get a charging order on their house) but considering this was a huge job, I would expect some small snags in the future and at that point I will say that we will happily go and look, if they just pay us the balance first

Savvy_Sue

Would it be worth a final letter now saying that the invoice remains outstanding and any 'snagging' will be dependent on it having been paid in full?

The plumbers we use at work have on their invoices something like "Please pay this promptly if you want us to drop everything and come and fix anything in an emergency." It's not quite that bald, but it gets their point across!

Moneymaker

Sell the debt to a debt collection agency. You'll only get about 25% but you'll get a lot of satisfaction!

wigglebeena

I doubt they'd call you in for any snags, surely they know what kind of response they'd be likely to get. Probably they'd try to go elsewhere: so now is the time for a roundrobin letter/email to every contact you have in the industry, outlining your experience. Truth is, i believe, a useful defence if words like 'libel' start getting bunged about.

bestyman

boba wrote: »

I totally agree with Lifeisbutadream, cash is bad after falling out with a customer over extra works on his extension (which he signed for), he didn't me me for the additional work£6,500, he didn't pay me £7,500 Stage payment. Small amount of work left, and final payment £7500, obviously not recieved. he went on to employ aperson who was working for me at the time and paid him £3200 to finish the works (not correct as he claimed).

he then went on to report me to trading standards (to no avail) but he suceeded with the Custom and excise (VAT). I was fined £3000 and had to pay all VAT the total contract sum.

In an attempt to recover the outstanding monies via a Solictor, he wants £10,000 up front in case I lose and don't pay him and if I lose I could have to pay part of the defendants court cost.

WHO'S THE CROOK - please advise.


I have been foolish but not a crook.

This is why i have started my own website called http://www.DodgyCustomers.com an attempt to make other contractors /tradesmen of potentially DODGY CUSTOMERS.:mad:

And there I was thinking you had started this website to make money. £25 for 6 months - no thanks
Whos the crook??? LOL

boba_4

bestyman, you sound like a lot of other people I've met, expect every thing for nothing.

I'am glad to see that not everyone see it your way and that they appreciate the service I'am offering. www.dodgycustomers.com is growing every day.

Try looking on the posative side of things, rather than the negative.

bestyman

boba wrote: »

bestyman, you sound like a lot of other people I've met, expect every thing for nothing.

I'am glad to see that not everyone see it your way and that they appreciate the service I'am offering. www.dodgycustomers.com is growing every day.

Try looking on the positive side of things, rather than the negative.

Like you say , there are a lot of other people like me , silly me
Perhaps learn from this site. How many members do you think this site would have if there were a £25 charge?
I have always said that there are more rougue customers than rougue traders having been a self employed plumber for 20 years and a site such as yours is a great idea but to expect people to pay £25 is absurd.

Lifeisbutadream

I agree - I wouldnt pay £25.

Its a good idea to have a site such as this one, but perhaps a better way of making money would be to allow people to advertise?