[Dick]

Which is the most effective way to get money owed? Without going into too much detail I sold part of my round and the guy who bought them is paying me in dribs n drabs after having customers for a year. He's only paid just over a third still owing £1200. If I go to the small claims court how much will it cost but I expect he'll only end up paying a smaller amount over a longer period saying he can't afford any more. He's promised to pay £50 per week but I don't expect that to last for long. I'm in the process of sending him a letter stating how much is owed and giving him 14 days to pay or I'll be taking further action but I don't want to threaten something and then not do anything about it.
Any suggestions?

[Dick]

He's already been messing me around as its taken a year to pay £1800. Nothing in writing but I've got the texts he's sent promising payment and asking how much is still due. Presumably the fact that he's aleady paid me so much is proof of the debt. I wouldn't mind if it only took another 24 weeks but that's likely to extend, so I thought about the debt collection route to wake him up that I need the money.

[escorttdi]

hit him hard in his pocket........ like he has done to you.......

[William McCafferty]

If you have a copy of the customers you sold him, go back and start recleaing them, explain that he has broken the agreement and they shouldn't let him clean them until futher notice

[LT carpet cleaning]

If you have a copy of the customers you sold him, go back and start recleaing them, explain that he has broken the agreement and they shouldn't let him clean them until futher notice

If I was one of the customers I would tell you where to go, coming round here telling me what to do.

[robertphil]

you could use greed to get paid

dangle him a carrot,say you can let him have some reaLLY peachey work,as good as gold it is ,dirt cheap cos youre a mate . or dangle your van,you need cash and its a rock bottom price too

   just  you need paying the other money first.. ,

once paid, tell him on yer bike you freakin waster

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Why did you give him the customer list, before he gave you ALL the money to begin with?

I sold a round a few backs and excepted a deposit, then the rest once the round had been cleaned once, but only because he was a mate.

[Johnny B]

Wise old proverb say: 'When doing business, have signed contract'.

I am sorry you have this problem now, but contracts are not necessarily needed because there is a lack of trust, but a lack of understanding the terms.

I don't know what I would do if I were you, but I would guess that if you have nothing in writing there isn't much you can (legally) do.

Best wishes,   
John 

[William McCafferty]

If you have a copy of the customers you sold him, go back and start recleaing them, explain that he has broken the agreement and they shouldn't let him clean them until futher notice

If I was one of the customers I would tell you where to go, coming round here telling me what to do.

and if you were one of the customers I would let him keep you, but the rest would already have known me for some time and when they found out the circumstances they would understand.

[H20cleaning]

pay someone to do it for you.. you may loose £500 for their time however its very effective and £700 is better than nothing:)

[LT carpet cleaning]

If you have a copy of the customers you sold him, go back and start recleaing them, explain that he has broken the agreement and they shouldn't let him clean them until futher notice

If I was one of the customers I would tell you where to go, coming round here telling me what to do.

and if you were one of the customers I would let him keep you, but the rest would already have known me for some time and when they found out the circumstances they would understand.

Really? Every single customer would do as you tell them? Haha, while your at it jump on GWrightsons first class flights with the Beckhams

[Pete10]

Contractually you don't have a leg to stand on, no surprise as you don't have a contract, he would just maintain the debt has been fully paid...in a "your word against his" situation the only winner is the lawyers on either side picking up the fee/ fees.

As they say, you slide further on bpoo than gravel: I think your best option is Robert Phil's suggestion of the carrot. I wouldn't send a letter as its pointless, unless you like writing letters. I would approach him as an old friend. Tell him you're still in contact with a great number of your old customers and they are really happy.......hence would he like to discuss taking over the remainder of your round?

I would exaggerate the figures......but not wildly, then gently suggest he stepped up payment of the existing loan as obviously you cant really be expected to hold more of his debt.....you could also feign an injury, make your situation more plausible.....you want out and only have eighteen months left in the biz due to health....
talk it up....maybe even throw in a few commercial contacts your happy to introduce....room for growth etc. Just my opinion.

[Robert Simmons]

i had this problem, if you have no contract signed you have no leg to stand on. Live and learn.