Difficult Customers: I've heard it all now.
Discussion
I did this roofing repair for this old guy a month ago, invoiced straight away. I went around his house today to ask where payment was and this was his reply...
"I'm not paying you until it rains and I know it has worked" I pointed out to him it has been raining for nearly a week, and it is raining right now.
"Oh, yeah, but....I'm waiting for it to rain from the south east" I said I would just come back and get my lead that I used then.
Is it me, or is he a berk!
How do you deal with people like this? Luckily it's not a large amount of money, more of an annoyance.
"I'm not paying you until it rains and I know it has worked" I pointed out to him it has been raining for nearly a week, and it is raining right now.
"Oh, yeah, but....I'm waiting for it to rain from the south east" I said I would just come back and get my lead that I used then.
Is it me, or is he a berk!
How do you deal with people like this? Luckily it's not a large amount of money, more of an annoyance.
Overlooking the slightly amusing/stupid reply I'd be straight on to the debt collectors or whatever means you use when people don't pay. Perhaps Its easiest to rock up again and say you're taking your materials back as apparently your supplier has said they are not effective against SE winds!
groucho said:
I did this roofing repair for this old guy a month ago, invoiced straight away. I went around his house today to ask where payment was and this was his reply...
"I'm not paying you until it rains and I know it has worked" I pointed out to him it has been raining for nearly a week, and it is raining right now.
"Oh, yeah, but....I'm waiting for it to rain from the south east" I said I would just come back and get my lead that I used then.
Is it me, or is he a berk!
How do you deal with people like this? Luckily it's not a large amount of money, more of an annoyance.
Blimey. He's either dumb like a rock or trying it on! How the bloody hell does he begin to think that's fair! Calling you back if there's a problem - I understand. Just not paying in case there might be?"I'm not paying you until it rains and I know it has worked" I pointed out to him it has been raining for nearly a week, and it is raining right now.
"Oh, yeah, but....I'm waiting for it to rain from the south east" I said I would just come back and get my lead that I used then.
Is it me, or is he a berk!
How do you deal with people like this? Luckily it's not a large amount of money, more of an annoyance.
Try the nice approach first. A letter laying out what is owed, needs paying now and how long he has to do it. Also note what will occur if this is not done (i.e. debt collection agency involved etc).
The bloke should not want his credit rating destroyed....blimey.
Do you have anything in writing, on a quote or invoice, that states all materials used remain your property until paid for, or something that effect. If so I would be inclined to tell him you will be back to remove them on a certain date if he has not paid the outstanding invoice by then.
Don said:
Blimey. He's either dumb like a rock or trying it on! How the bloody hell does he begin to think that's fair! Calling you back if there's a problem - I understand. Just not paying in case there might be?
Try the nice approach first. A letter laying out what is owed, needs paying now and how long he has to do it. Also note what will occur if this is not done (i.e. debt collection agency involved etc).
The bloke should not want his credit rating destroyed....blimey.
This is the stupidity of it. Let's say for argument's sake that it did leak when it rained from the SW Try the nice approach first. A letter laying out what is owed, needs paying now and how long he has to do it. Also note what will occur if this is not done (i.e. debt collection agency involved etc).
The bloke should not want his credit rating destroyed....blimey.
Does he expect me to go round again, spend more time and then wait for months for it to rain in the right direction?In all my years working I have never heard anything like it.
This reminds me of another woman I did a repair for a couple of years ago. I had finished the job and she did pay. After that she kept calling me, asking if I had done the work properly. I said, why, is it leaking? She said no, but it might do in the future and it is not good enough. I of course said that it wouldn't, to which she went on to ask me how do I know.
Ummm - I've been doing it for over 30 yrs, that's how I know.
So, I repaired her leak, that never leaked again - but that was not good enough. As mad as it sounds, there is nothing more to this story,
Some people are very bizarre.
Edited by groucho on Wednesday 18th December 19:33
Monkeylegend said:
Do you have anything in writing, on a quote or invoice, that states all materials used remain your property until paid for, or something that effect. If so I would be inclined to tell him you will be back to remove them on a certain date if he has not paid the outstanding invoice by then.
I have a written invoice, but no t&cs stating what you mention. Normally all is ok, but customers are definitely getting worse. They treat you like scum sometimes.groucho said:
Monkeylegend said:
Do you have anything in writing, on a quote or invoice, that states all materials used remain your property until paid for, or something that effect. If so I would be inclined to tell him you will be back to remove them on a certain date if he has not paid the outstanding invoice by then.
I have a written invoice, but no t&cs stating what you mention. Normally all is ok, but customers are definitely getting worse. They treat you like scum sometimes.Good luck.
If he's an older Gent perhaps it's worth remembering that he might be suffering some mental decline and his responses won't be the same as ours. Aggressive and unreasonable behaviour is common in this age group best thing to do is slow and steady and if he has family near by to get them involved. My Gran has sacked 9 cleaners in 12 weeks. Have a cup of tea with him and chat about the old days.. and then request payment
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