Debt collection
Discussion
C722 said:
Unfortunately we have a customer who is refusing to pay despite putting everything right, she has not paid a penny, just pathetic whims about the job, Which he have catered for. Can anyone recommend a debt collection agency who can collect in Bristol ?
Debt collectors have no power other than to threaten. Used one once - took £200, did f
k all.If you have a good case and want to do it properly, go to Small Claims. If you're in the right, you'll win.
How much is the debt?
We completed a job for a customer. Went back several times for their absolutely ridiculous faults that they have come up with - fine sorted no problem despite nothing really changing or being wrong .
Now after several visits (and now apparently happy) they want compensation for stress and inconvenience, not prepared to do this as the job is perfectly acceptable.
How do you pursue this as they clearly have no intention of paying ?!
Now after several visits (and now apparently happy) they want compensation for stress and inconvenience, not prepared to do this as the job is perfectly acceptable.
How do you pursue this as they clearly have no intention of paying ?!
C722 said:
We completed a job for a customer. Went back several times for their absolutely ridiculous faults that they have come up with - fine sorted no problem despite nothing really changing or being wrong .
Now after several visits (and now apparently happy) they want compensation for stress and inconvenience, not prepared to do this as the job is perfectly acceptable.
How do you pursue this as they clearly have no intention of paying ?!
Small claims court, assuming you have all correspondence in writing. Then escalate it from there.Now after several visits (and now apparently happy) they want compensation for stress and inconvenience, not prepared to do this as the job is perfectly acceptable.
How do you pursue this as they clearly have no intention of paying ?!
brickwall said:
Simpo Two said:
C722 said:
Unfortunately we have a customer who is refusing to pay despite putting everything right, she has not paid a penny, just pathetic whims about the job, Which he have catered for. Can anyone recommend a debt collection agency who can collect in Bristol ?
Debt collectors have no power other than to threaten. Used one once - took £200, did fk all.If you have a good case and want to do it properly, go to Small Claims. If you're in the right, you'll win.
How much is the debt?
After that the best method is to get a high court writ which will give the ‘debt collectors’ - sheriff, as many collection powers as possible.
Ideal scenario would be you telling the customer in writing that you are starting a small claims case in two weeks unless they pay up. Hopefully they pay up but if not get all your paperwork in order and do it. It’s not a major time killer if the money due is worth it.
The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence you are able to put before the judge. This will need to include evidence of your efforts to settle the matter with the arbitration process which you will be offered as part of the pre-hearing process.
If they are determined not to pay then probably the best you can hope for is half of what you are owed (and a bit of a struggle to get it once you have got the judgment). Despite the trouble and poor outcome you should still do it.
Is there some way you can build pre-payment into your process? For instance, let's suppose your customer has ordered a tree house to be supplied and fitted. 45% at the time of ordering. 45% paid by instant transfer when you arrive with the goods ready to fit, 10% when it's been installed to their satisfaction.
If they are determined not to pay then probably the best you can hope for is half of what you are owed (and a bit of a struggle to get it once you have got the judgment). Despite the trouble and poor outcome you should still do it.
Is there some way you can build pre-payment into your process? For instance, let's suppose your customer has ordered a tree house to be supplied and fitted. 45% at the time of ordering. 45% paid by instant transfer when you arrive with the goods ready to fit, 10% when it's been installed to their satisfaction.
Edited by singlecoil on Monday 25th October 09:01
trickywoo said:
brickwall said:
Simpo Two said:
C722 said:
Unfortunately we have a customer who is refusing to pay despite putting everything right, she has not paid a penny, just pathetic whims about the job, Which he have catered for. Can anyone recommend a debt collection agency who can collect in Bristol ?
Debt collectors have no power other than to threaten. Used one once - took £200, did fk all.If you have a good case and want to do it properly, go to Small Claims. If you're in the right, you'll win.
How much is the debt?
After that the best method is to get a high court writ which will give the ‘debt collectors’ - sheriff, as many collection powers as possible.
Ideal scenario would be you telling the customer in writing that you are starting a small claims case in two weeks unless they pay up. Hopefully they pay up but if not get all your paperwork in order and do it. It’s not a major time killer if the money due is worth it.
Small Claims Court (moneyclaimonline) is extremely easy and done over the internet, takes ten minutes and often starting the case will make the customer pay immediately.
brickwall said:
Not quite true - if you empower them to seek a CCJ on your behalf then they’ll manage the process, get the CCJ, then go and enforce the debt
I didn't know of that option, but how much of any winnings will they take in fees? If the debt (which we don't know) is £500 they're not likely to do much for 10% of it.C722 said:
We completed a job for a customer. Went back several times for their absolutely ridiculous faults that they have come up with - fine sorted no problem despite nothing really changing or being wrong .
Now after several visits (and now apparently happy) they want compensation for stress and inconvenience, not prepared to do this as the job is perfectly acceptable.
How do you pursue this as they clearly have no intention of paying ?!
It does sound as if you've got some 'professional complainers' there. They can't fault the work so they're doing the wounded heroine act instead and trying to get away with not paying - because they think you won't be bothered to fight it and they'll get a free job. Been there, done that!Now after several visits (and now apparently happy) they want compensation for stress and inconvenience, not prepared to do this as the job is perfectly acceptable.
How do you pursue this as they clearly have no intention of paying ?!
The answer is the same - small claims. If they do actually attend and claim for 'stress or inconvenience' they will have to prove it with evidence. I suggest they cannot. In conclusion, both parties present their evidence and the judge decides who's right. So it's about getting your side together - e-mails, letters, photos - and win. There's a very good chance though that they'll chicken out before that and pay up.
For now, as suggested, ignore their claims, play it straight and simply write to them saying that unless they pay in full within 14 days legal proceedings will be commenced. First move in the chess game.
Phil Dicky said:
Small claims court, assuming you have all correspondence in writing. Then escalate it from there.
We have done this once with a similar issue. They paid immediately. It takes half a bloody day to fill out all the details but once done you have done it it forms a pretty convincing document. I think it cost about £100 to apply (this was 3 homes and one workplace job for the same company).Frimley111R said:
Phil Dicky said:
Small claims court, assuming you have all correspondence in writing. Then escalate it from there.
We have done this once with a similar issue. They paid immediately. It takes half a bloody day to fill out all the details but once done you have done it it forms a pretty convincing document. I think it cost about £100 to apply (this was 3 homes and one workplace job for the same company).https://www.moneyclaimsuk.co.uk/creditor-and-claim...
It takes half an hour maximum.
singlecoil said:
I rate the chances of this customer paying when she gets the small claims paperwork at about 3% plus or minus 3%.
Write to her with a final two week warning and make sure you have a record of it, then follow the procedure through. You must not let her get away with it.
Again, nonsense ^^^^Write to her with a final two week warning and make sure you have a record of it, then follow the procedure through. You must not let her get away with it.
I've done loads of these and I can only think of one where I wasn't paid immediately, including against a very sketchy garage.
Largechris said:
singlecoil said:
I rate the chances of this customer paying when she gets the small claims paperwork at about 3% plus or minus 3%.
Write to her with a final two week warning and make sure you have a record of it, then follow the procedure through. You must not let her get away with it.
Again, nonsense ^^^^Write to her with a final two week warning and make sure you have a record of it, then follow the procedure through. You must not let her get away with it.
I've done loads of these and I can only think of one where I wasn't paid immediately, including against a very sketchy garage.
You are making the mistake of assuming your experience applies everywhere. It doesn't.
singlecoil said:
Largechris said:
singlecoil said:
I rate the chances of this customer paying when she gets the small claims paperwork at about 3% plus or minus 3%.
Write to her with a final two week warning and make sure you have a record of it, then follow the procedure through. You must not let her get away with it.
Again, nonsense ^^^^Write to her with a final two week warning and make sure you have a record of it, then follow the procedure through. You must not let her get away with it.
I've done loads of these and I can only think of one where I wasn't paid immediately, including against a very sketchy garage.
You are making the mistake of assuming your experience applies everywhere. It doesn't.
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