I've had a few of these, including one who has been in court and still owes me £236 on an original £70 debt.
Tomorrow i'm sending a Thos Higgins letter for another, following the followng red letter I sent (adapt and use if any use)
"Dear Mrs XXXXX
I write concerning the amount of £24 relating to window cleaning services delivered at XXXXXXX on 13th November and 11th December 2012 and which, at the time of writing, remains outstanding.
In addition to leaving bills on the day of each clean and despite our phone conversation last week I have failed to receive your payment.
For the avoidance of doubt below is a schedule of cleans together with the date payment was received for each, taken from my records:
1st Clean 21st July 2012 Paid: 21st July 2012
18th August 2012 Paid: 18th August 2012
15th September 2012 Paid: 13th October 2012
13th October 2012 Paid: 13th October 2012
13th November 2012 Overdue
11th December 2012 Overdue
It is with regret that I must write to advise you that should I fail to receive payment of £24 before close of business on Monday 14th January I shall be forced to commence legal proceedings for the recovery of the outstanding debt through the County Court via my solicitor, The Thomas Higgins Partnership.
To avoid action payment should be sent by cheque (payable to Red Dragon Window Cleaning) to the address below. If you have sent payment and it has crossed with this letter please ignore this letter. If you have sent a cheque and it has been cashed please contact both myself and your bank as it may have been cashed fraudulently.
I should also like to take this opportunity to advise you that I will unfortunately no longer be able to provide a window cleaning service to you.
Yours sincerely"
She's the first one i've had that claims I either didn't do the clean or didn't leave a slip. Got very shirty, but happily I was polite
The fact is that if she doesn't pay I don't think i'll be chasing it. The associated costs are too high for such an amount. Mind you it rankles like hell.
I think the OP was a bit hasty. Texting is never a good way to do things as sensitive as this. I always try and speak with them. You never know what is going on in their lives and (much as we might like to think different) we aren't the most important people they know. BACS xfers can take time. I'd have left it a few days then phoned again. Left it a few days then red lettered them. Then failing that, Thos Higgins. After that, well i'd have to think carefully.
For anyone thinking i'm softly softly ask yourself if it (eventually) went to court and you or your solicitor had to stand there (and it can, believe me) and the judge asks you how the contract terms were formed with regards to payment periods / limits would you be able to explain and demonstrate a) what they are, and b) more importantly that you had proof the custie was both made aware of them and accepted them...
All the best - hope you get your money.