Would a Facebook conversation count as a contract?

[Shuvi McTupya]

If someone asked for a quote for services via Facebook and an estimate is given and accepted, would that be considered as a contract if,mfor example the customer changed their minds after the contractor has bought all the materials?

This has not happened to me but I am starting to get approached for jobs through Facebook..

[Shuvi McTupya]

If it helps, the quote in this case would be for the supply and fit of blinds, so I would have to purchase the blinds once the quote is accepted.

[Shuvi McTupya]

They are all made to measure , thanks for that

[Shuvi McTupya]

Simpo, I don't understand how me sending a quote or letter in the post would count as a contract between me and my customer?

What would stop me sending out unsolicited quotes?

[Shuvi McTupya]

I am just starting out, so learning the ropes.

I agree that I should be getting up front deposits, I will do that from now on!

[Shuvi McTupya]

I hope that I won't have issues with people not paying on time, as my policy is that I expect to be paid upon installation, there is no ' payable within 90 days' ste

[Shuvi McTupya]

R

akirk said:

don't believe it
the time when the customer is keenest to pay is before they have the product / service - once they have it, where is the urgency to pay?

with installation of blinds you need to separate out the cost of the items / your time - at the minimum, charge for the cost of the blinds xx days before fitting, and then charge for your time once fitted.

make payment terms very clear and explain how you will take payment - are you happy to take cheques? - cash on the day - credit cards (you can get different solutions now that plug into your phone, e.g. iZettle / paypal here / etc.

make it easy for them to pay, and difficult to avoid paying - otherwise you will add a large cost onto your business chasing payments

I am happy to take anything they have, took delivery of my Izettle machine the other day

[Shuvi McTupya]

Cheers, I have definitely taken onboard the idea that I should be charging a deposit to cover the cost of materials.

I don't need to email contracts out and have them sign/scan/return as I will have to do a site visit to measure up before I order anything. I can get a signature and deposit at that point.

[Shuvi McTupya]

Just had a look at your website Vex.

Things have moved on a bit since I used to be in that game! In the early 90's I used to work in the states for a company that did custom installs of Dolby and THX systems. I remember installing a 120" rear projection screen in one house, it involved getting builders in to build a room about 10ft x 10ft to house the mirrors and projector

The biggest TV available was a 40" CRT that took about three people to unbox..

I thought the systems back then looked and sounded impressive but with 3d sound and vision and the higher definitions available now I bet they are bloody incredible!