Would you chase up small debts or write them off
Discussion
Annoyed with our process / systems and its cathartic typing it out.
I just happened to pick up the phone and got a damsel in distress, website no sales, whats wrong, can we help etc - so I was sweet talked into us doing just under a days dev work for a designer who had a terrible site, the day was to clean it up and do the most basic of CRO and add a few shipping options and apps - about 6 hours.
I was told 6 hours and raised an invoice for £450 expecting her to pay it, she asked if she could pay £200 ish a week for 3 weeks - er no and whilst I was waiting for her to come back didnt we go and do the bloody work anyway as one of the guys had time and it actually took 4 hours - FFS! (we reduced the invoice)
Told her that £150 a week was ok and we have done the work (no other option) and she says she will pay, long story short that was 2 weeks ago and nothing but she is in contact blaming accounts team, why does she pay VAT etc.
And of course we have no access to her site, were locked out.
The cash wont finish us but the experience / error / bare faced cheek of her has really pissed me off.
I can get the "chasers" onto her for £159 and an hour of my time or I can move on, deadline was Friday whats the next move?
PS cant do sausages as she has a flat as her reg address
I just happened to pick up the phone and got a damsel in distress, website no sales, whats wrong, can we help etc - so I was sweet talked into us doing just under a days dev work for a designer who had a terrible site, the day was to clean it up and do the most basic of CRO and add a few shipping options and apps - about 6 hours.
I was told 6 hours and raised an invoice for £450 expecting her to pay it, she asked if she could pay £200 ish a week for 3 weeks - er no and whilst I was waiting for her to come back didnt we go and do the bloody work anyway as one of the guys had time and it actually took 4 hours - FFS! (we reduced the invoice)
Told her that £150 a week was ok and we have done the work (no other option) and she says she will pay, long story short that was 2 weeks ago and nothing but she is in contact blaming accounts team, why does she pay VAT etc.
And of course we have no access to her site, were locked out.
The cash wont finish us but the experience / error / bare faced cheek of her has really pissed me off.
I can get the "chasers" onto her for £159 and an hour of my time or I can move on, deadline was Friday whats the next move?
PS cant do sausages as she has a flat as her reg address
Badda said:
S100HP said:
Chase it yourself? Few letters then small claims?
Small claims relies on good terms and conditions. I get the impression the OP did this work on her word! DSLiverpool said:
Badda said:
S100HP said:
Chase it yourself? Few letters then small claims?
Small claims relies on good terms and conditions. I get the impression the OP did this work on her word! I’m amazed at people who provide services without agreed terms, it just leaves you wide open to bad debt and litigation.
I only had one person not paying when I was running my business and in the grand scheme of things was very lucky.
However it rankles when you have provided a service and they blatantly ignore or delay paying.
I sent a second invoice as a gentle reminder for payment and when this was ignored followed up 2 weeks or so later with a final demand letter with a deadline for payment, saying if I did not receive payment by then I would place it in the hands of a debt recovery company.
I received a cheque by return of post.
It was only for £110 but it was the principle and also the matter of them telling others that I couldn't be bothered to pursue outstanding invoices.
I would not ignore and do nothing.
However it rankles when you have provided a service and they blatantly ignore or delay paying.
I sent a second invoice as a gentle reminder for payment and when this was ignored followed up 2 weeks or so later with a final demand letter with a deadline for payment, saying if I did not receive payment by then I would place it in the hands of a debt recovery company.
I received a cheque by return of post.
It was only for £110 but it was the principle and also the matter of them telling others that I couldn't be bothered to pursue outstanding invoices.
I would not ignore and do nothing.
DSLiverpool said:
Annoyed with our process / systems and its cathartic typing it out.
I just happened to pick up the phone and got a damsel in distress, website no sales, whats wrong, can we help etc - so I was sweet talked into us doing just under a days dev work for a designer who had a terrible site, the day was to clean it up and do the most basic of CRO and add a few shipping options and apps - about 6 hours.
I was told 6 hours and raised an invoice for £450 expecting her to pay it, she asked if she could pay £200 ish a week for 3 weeks - er no and whilst I was waiting for her to come back didnt we go and do the bloody work anyway as one of the guys had time and it actually took 4 hours - FFS! (we reduced the invoice)
Told her that £150 a week was ok and we have done the work (no other option) and she says she will pay, long story short that was 2 weeks ago and nothing but she is in contact blaming accounts team, why does she pay VAT etc.
And of course we have no access to her site, were locked out.
The cash wont finish us but the experience / error / bare faced cheek of her has really pissed me off.
I can get the "chasers" onto her for £159 and an hour of my time or I can move on, deadline was Friday whats the next move?
PS cant do sausages as she has a flat as her reg address
Get credit card details from customers before you start work. Charge £x to the card before starting work.I just happened to pick up the phone and got a damsel in distress, website no sales, whats wrong, can we help etc - so I was sweet talked into us doing just under a days dev work for a designer who had a terrible site, the day was to clean it up and do the most basic of CRO and add a few shipping options and apps - about 6 hours.
I was told 6 hours and raised an invoice for £450 expecting her to pay it, she asked if she could pay £200 ish a week for 3 weeks - er no and whilst I was waiting for her to come back didnt we go and do the bloody work anyway as one of the guys had time and it actually took 4 hours - FFS! (we reduced the invoice)
Told her that £150 a week was ok and we have done the work (no other option) and she says she will pay, long story short that was 2 weeks ago and nothing but she is in contact blaming accounts team, why does she pay VAT etc.
And of course we have no access to her site, were locked out.
The cash wont finish us but the experience / error / bare faced cheek of her has really pissed me off.
I can get the "chasers" onto her for £159 and an hour of my time or I can move on, deadline was Friday whats the next move?
PS cant do sausages as she has a flat as her reg address
I'm amazed at how many people call my cab company and say they are in Devon for a wedding and want to ferry their guests about, can they have an account?
Of course, we love transporting people about on your say so and no security.
Some people are incredibly stupid. Not you OP, you have learned a lesson and it won't happen again.
Of course, we love transporting people about on your say so and no security.
Some people are incredibly stupid. Not you OP, you have learned a lesson and it won't happen again.
DSLiverpool said:
The Mad Monk said:
Get credit card details from customers before you start work. Charge £x to the card before starting work.
I like that - cheers!A poster on here didn't pay me - drives a flash car but clearly just unethical. Couldn't be bothered after sending a couple of reminders. Taken someone to small claims because they annoyed me enough and getting a CCJ screwed their credit up.
In general though I've learnt my lesson. Upfront deposit and all recurring business on direct debit.
In general though I've learnt my lesson. Upfront deposit and all recurring business on direct debit.
Engelberger said:
A poster on here didn't pay me - drives a flash car but clearly just unethical. Couldn't be bothered after sending a couple of reminders. Taken someone to small claims because they annoyed me enough and getting a CCJ screwed their credit up.
In general though I've learnt my lesson. Upfront deposit and all recurring business on direct debit.
That’s just not cricket at all ... I’d be ashamed if I was that poster.In general though I've learnt my lesson. Upfront deposit and all recurring business on direct debit.
For the services part of my business we now require 100% payment up front for almost all jobs.
Too many people paying 50% deposit then arguing the toss after the job is done just got sick of it.
The really big jobs can pay in stages but still need 50% up front and then normally another % after x days or weeks.
Too many people paying 50% deposit then arguing the toss after the job is done just got sick of it.
The really big jobs can pay in stages but still need 50% up front and then normally another % after x days or weeks.
red_slr said:
For the services part of my business we now require 100% payment up front for almost all jobs.
Too many people paying 50% deposit then arguing the toss after the job is done just got sick of it.
The really big jobs can pay in stages but still need 50% up front and then normally another % after x days or weeks.
Even a regular? Ie you’ve done a site / job and they need more work after say 3 months. Too many people paying 50% deposit then arguing the toss after the job is done just got sick of it.
The really big jobs can pay in stages but still need 50% up front and then normally another % after x days or weeks.
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