[Stu Wallace]

What do you do with them?

I have texted, phoned and a sent letter.

Ideally I don't want to go door knocking.

Thanks for any advice

[AuRavelling79]

Go door knocking. Tea time. Get Paid/Assess the excuse.

Then decide what to do next.

[tompoole]

Send letter twice if they don't pay , drop them and move on .

[Ian101]

I became a windie as I was a very slow payer and our windie dropped us  ;

however before he dropped us he left a note with last clean along lines of I can only carry on cleaning your windows if you pay ontime ............. I paid the 2 cleans outstanding and he never returned however if he had offered a direct debit or standing order then I would still be selling cars and never had become a windie


btw I would have dumped me as well

[scottt24]

I became a windie as I was a very slow payer and our windie dropped us  ;

however before he dropped us he left a note with last clean along lines of I can only carry on cleaning your windows if you pay ontime ............. I paid the 2 cleans outstanding and he never returned however if he had offered a direct debit or standing order then I would still be selling cars and never had become a windie


btw I would have dumped me as well

That's refreshingly honest

[andyM]

I've had a few of these lately.
I decided to spend an hour yesterday morning chasing money up through contacting a couple and I have successfully managed to get paid online by one of them with future cleans agreed to be paid online.  
Another one is sending me a cheque for last clean and the next clean paid upfront.
However I've still got a £42 outstanding which I don't think im gonna see due to not being able to make contact, and a £24 cheque which has bounced after pestering the now ex-customer for payment.  
I have had some success writing "PLEASE PAY PROMPTLY!" on the top of windows cleaned tickets on some late payers and they have coughed up quickly.
However I am finding I am getting more and more dragging their heels this year.  

[Ian101]

I'm gonna look into going DD for next year with all new customers and eventually all current customers think its more professional and better for me as well

[dazmond]

looks like ill be writing off over a £100 all together this year.biggest ever.its normally only £30-£50.its just not worth chasing after a while.im over £3000 up on earnings than this time last year so not anything to worry about.

[Pro-Smart]

I do 3 letters:-

1) A 'gentle' reminder...

2) Account Overdue - pay within 7 days

3) Notice of Legal Proceedings with a cc. Firm of Solicitors (although I don't actually copy them in of course)

Touch wood - I've not had a bad debt... YET!

[Stu Wallace]

Thanks Guys!!

I spoke to a friend of mine about it he suggested a fake solicitor's letter has anyone do this?

Hey tom do you want their address they are good payers really 

[supernova77]

Use www.gocardless.com

I do, it's great! >> www.iconicwindowcleaning.co.uk/directdebit

Andy  

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

hi mate
send them a txt which you have done follow up with a note reminding them with bacs details and detailing if the payment is not received in 3 days of the notice then a collection charge normally £5 will apply  then if this does not work knock the door on sunday morning 

[tompoole]

Name and shame stu....

[tompoole]

Hope it wasn't that gutter and fascia job  ...lol.... You looked
ped off enough doing it ,

[colin bird]

hi ive a couple like that,i know its hard to knock on the door but youve done the job that they wanted ! if they have not complained they must be happy with the results ! therefore they have to pay, you are not a charity ! its not even about the money,its the priciple.
i leave a statement of account first then if nothing comes in the post i , go back in the evening when the lights are on, as i know there in,when they answer the door,i say hello ! window cleaner i was just passing saw your lights on and wondered if i can collect payment.
basically what your doing is putting them in an embaressing situation,you just need to have bigger balls than them ! i dont let any debt go,without giving me best shot to get money owed.even if its through the small claims court.
you cant get goods from a shop without paying ! and i fee lthe same about my business.
dont let anyone take the pixx good luck,really does my head in when they think they can get somthing for nothing. im off my soap box now,good luck

[Herve garrot]

Why feeling embarassed knocking on doors asking to get paid??? They are the ones who should be feeling embarassed not you. The few times it happened to me : they were in but didn 't open the door !!!! Clearly they were taking the biscuit!! I just couldn't wait to find someone home and say: hi I've come to get paid  and I certainly didn t feel ill at ease lol. It' s not just about £ 10 or £15 . It' a matter of principle ( and respect too would I say)

[Mr.G]

I've had one owed me for 3 cleans, that's not paid despite two letters,
I went round and knocked on the door yesterday, the guy invited me in.
Then he said " it's through here, in the lounge, come with me"

Oh good, so he's got some cash here..

"it's down there, behind the settee, do you want to have a look?"

"Er- ok- you get it out for me then" I said (what a nutter, I'm thinking)

He comes back with

"I'll pull the settee forward, so you can get to it"

after a bit more confusion
It turns out he thought I was the chimney sweep!!

Anyway, he paid up so alls well that ends well

[John Hewitt]

I had a couple of customers who didn't answer the door even though they were in so I go round early Sunday with my wife. When I knock on the door you can guarantee they will look out of the bedroom window so my wife sitting in the car at the front of the house gives me the nod to say they are in and then I just keep knocking.  Invariably they say the windows weren't done properly but cant answer when you ask why they didn't ring up to complain then.