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sunshine windows

  • Posts: 2361
Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« on: September 13, 2014, 11:36:05 pm »
I was out drinking with a few mates last night and we met up with one of the wives and 3 of her friends.

One of the friends was an old customer who I dumped around 2 years ago for not paying a £100 bill, 5x cleans. I used to let it run up and she'd always pay it when it got to x4.

She was so embarrassed in front of everybody it was brilliant, also swore she'd pay me if I put a card through her door next time I'm passing. Not holding my breath on that one though.
To climb mount fuji you must first find a path
(Swindon, Wiltshire)

www.sunshinewindowcleaning.co.uk
www.sunshinesoftwashing.co.uk

J.D

  • Posts: 636
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2014, 11:46:19 pm »
I obviously dont know this woman Sunshine but I think she is a disgrace! I pay my debts to people no matter what and I don't think there is any excuse for someone not to pay me for my services!  >:(

koopmaster

  • Posts: 498
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2014, 05:47:38 pm »
I got £40 last week,  she has been promising to pay me since November 2013....  almost a year to get my money.

Spruce

  • Posts: 8465
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2014, 06:31:54 pm »
I was out drinking with a few mates last night and we met up with one of the wives and 3 of her friends.

One of the friends was an old customer who I dumped around 2 years ago for not paying a £100 bill, 5x cleans. I used to let it run up and she'd always pay it when it got to x4.

She was so embarrassed in front of everybody it was brilliant, also swore she'd pay me if I put a card through her door next time I'm passing. Not holding my breath on that one though.

Your right. Don't hold your breath.

There is no motivation for her now to settle the bill now. A claim through the small claims court may give new impetuous though. Entertainment is her priority.

We have one the owes for a clean but can't pay - no money, but can get onto facebook and make an appointment to spend twice what she owes for her nails to be done.

We have a strict two cleans max policy, but she will be dropped when we finally get the money, she just doesn't know it yet.
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

Johnny B

  • Posts: 2385
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2014, 07:25:38 pm »
I have a few of these, having been a soft touch in the past. A couple of them have even had the neck to ask me to clean for them again, even though it is over a year since I dumped them!

I always say that when they pay me up in full and in advance, I will go ahead. Strangely, their interest seems to vanish at that point!

It stresses me out dealing with these 'excuses formerly known as customers', so I just let them go and become someone else's problem!

John
 
Being diplomatic is being able to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.

no way Jose

  • Posts: 99
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2014, 08:02:03 pm »
what really annoys me is: when after cleaning a house and knocking on the door to be paid I keep getting the same answer over and over  from the same custys: ohhhh we didn't know you were coming today! well, what a waste of time having to come again and again ( as they might not be in or still not have any cash ready). why don't keep a tenner on the side for the windys knowing full well it would make life easier for everyone!!!

Spruce

  • Posts: 8465
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2014, 08:33:48 am »
what really annoys me is: when after cleaning a house and knocking on the door to be paid I keep getting the same answer over and over  from the same custys: ohhhh we didn't know you were coming today! well, what a waste of time having to come again and again ( as they might not be in or still not have any cash ready). why don't keep a tenner on the side for the windys knowing full well it would make life easier for everyone!!!

In all aspects of business the ideal is 'win win' on behalf of both parties, the service provider and the customer. When the customer starts messing on like this then its time to say goodbye. They are still winning but you aren't. Your time would be better spent canvassing for another more reliable customer.

Difficult if you are starting off but if you aren't strict from day one then you end up with a high percentage of customers who are messers.

We have seen the 3 'C's' mentioned for a while on here; canvass, clean, cull.
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

sunshine windows

  • Posts: 2361
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2014, 12:56:22 pm »
I've also had another that's owed me £25 for around a year (1x clean)  text me last month, can you come and clean my windows again please and I'll settle what I owe you from last time too. Errrrrrrm can I bugger!
To climb mount fuji you must first find a path
(Swindon, Wiltshire)

www.sunshinewindowcleaning.co.uk
www.sunshinesoftwashing.co.uk

Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2014, 01:13:05 pm »
I've also had another that's owed me £25 for around a year (1x clean)  text me last month, can you come and clean my windows again please and I'll settle what I owe you from last time too. Errrrrrrm can I bugger!

Get them to pay for the 2 cleans up front?

andyM

  • Posts: 6100
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2014, 05:07:32 pm »
I finally got a cheque in the post today from a regular late payer.
And a few words.........
One of the Plebs

sunshine windows

  • Posts: 2361
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2014, 05:11:05 pm »
Cheque in the post yesterday for £100  ;D
To climb mount fuji you must first find a path
(Swindon, Wiltshire)

www.sunshinewindowcleaning.co.uk
www.sunshinesoftwashing.co.uk

Spruce

  • Posts: 8465
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2014, 05:23:20 pm »
Cheque in the post yesterday for £100  ;D

Let us know when it arrives and is cleared. Will you be doing them again now?
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

sunshine windows

  • Posts: 2361
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2014, 06:01:44 pm »
I meant I'd received it in the post. Put in the bank today so we'll see
To climb mount fuji you must first find a path
(Swindon, Wiltshire)

www.sunshinewindowcleaning.co.uk
www.sunshinesoftwashing.co.uk

H20cleaning

  • Posts: 2098
Re: Bad debt gone good (hopefully)
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2014, 10:25:54 am »
On my little notes i post when i have cleaned the windows in bold small print it says " please have cash ready for collection on..... If there is a problem please let us know"

So occasionally when a customer says "oh i didnt know you were coming" i say " well the note says the date and asks you to have payment ready"
Then usually they sort it out for next time.

I sometimes text a problem customers through the day to say we are collecting the same night and they always have cash waiting! I genuinely think some people are just forgetful they dont mean it.