[jay moley]

I've got about 15 customers that are ignoring my texts chasing them for payment.

Has anyone gone a step further and taken a non payer to court? If so is it worth it?

Maximum owed is £150. Rest are lower amounts.

Cheers

[Smudger]

How many cleans is that for £150 ?


time to knock on the door

after that its simply a letter of intent - 14 days later - letter to inform them they have 28 days before court action - then go to small claims

Darran

[Richard iSparkle]

I tried chasing domestic customers through small claims but haven’t had much success. I always have them the letters then gave up before court.

What made the biggest difference was using invoicing software for the business. I use Xero which is great.  What you can do is email an invoice and then set follow up emails that remind them at set intervals. You can write the content of the emails too, so by the 5th and 6th email you can make them pretty heavy warning if court action.

What is really good is nearly everyone pays before they get all the reminders, and then all you’re left with are the hardcore non payers. By that stage you can send them a personalised letter before action and add the charge onto their invoice.

It makes the whole process really simple and it happens without you needing to do anything.

I have very little problem with mom payers now

[jay moley]

How many cleans is that for £150 ?


time to knock on the door

after that its simply a letter of intent - 14 days later - letter to inform them they have 28 days before court action - then go to small claims

Darran

3 cleans at £50.

Policy now is not to clean a third time if the previous two haven't been paid.

I can't knock on their door, I'm liable to lose my rag and don't need the agg after doing something.

I think I'll send letters threatening court.

[colin bird]

I've taken two customers to small claims court cost about £40 going from memory ,both owed £72 ,one paid up the other didn't,but now has a ccj against them
For me it's not about what they owe me it's the principal,I know a lot of guys on here let it go and move on,but I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go

[Granny]

"3 cleans at £50.

Policy now is not to clean a third time if the previous two haven't been paid."
Maybe time to change that policy to ONE clean.
I'd rather skip a clean until the outstanding one has been paid for than let it build up.
Just put a note through the door when you're in the area or text them.
"Windows not cleaned this time because of outstanding payment."

[dazmond]

How many cleans is that for £150 ?


time to knock on the door

after that its simply a letter of intent - 14 days later - letter to inform them they have 28 days before court action - then go to small claims

Darran

3 cleans at £50.

Policy now is not to clean a third time if the previous two haven't been paid.

I can't knock on their door, I'm liable to lose my rag and don't need the agg after doing something.

I think I'll send letters threatening court.

knock hard on their door with a card machine in hand.......course you can control your temper.........just talk very firmly and matter of factly with a glint of menace in your eyes...... ......youll get paid i guarantee it......

[jonboywalton75]

+1 for Dazmond, that's worked for me

[jay moley]

I've taken two customers to small claims court cost about £40 going from memory ,both owed £72 ,one paid up the other didn't,but now has a ccj against them
For me it's not about what they owe me it's the principal,I know a lot of guys on here let it go and move on,but I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go

How did you prove that they had any contract with you for services without a written contract?

[jay moley]

I've taken two customers to small claims court cost about £40 going from memory ,both owed £72 ,one paid up the other didn't,but now has a ccj against them
For me it's not about what they owe me it's the principal,I know a lot of guys on here let it go and move on,but I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go

How did you prove that the customer had entered into an agreement to have their windows cleaned?

Obviously no written contract.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I've taken two customers to small claims court cost about £40 going from memory ,both owed £72 ,one paid up the other didn't,but now has a ccj against them
For me it's not about what they owe me it's the principal,I know a lot of guys on here let it go and move on,but I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go

How did you prove that they had any contract with you for services without a written contract?

All my customers are now asked to complete an online form whilst quoting them.   I say it's part of my GDPR compliance.   But it also proves they are a customer.   Text messages go out the day before a clean too.  I also have a GPS tracker on my van that can prove I was there.   This is enough evidence.

[Slacky]

I've taken two customers to small claims court cost about £40 going from memory ,both owed £72 ,one paid up the other didn't,but now has a ccj against them
For me it's not about what they owe me it's the principal,I know a lot of guys on here let it go and move on,but I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go

How did you prove that the customer had entered into an agreement to have their windows cleaned?

Obviously no written contract.

Past bank payment transfers are evidence of an ongoing arrangement, with no cancellation notice by letter or e-mail they haven't got much of a leg to stand on.

[P @ F]

I let it go to 2 cleans for established custies usually 12/15 a clean but that’s it , newbs get 1 max .
Did you not think WTF am I doing on the 3rd one knowing they was into you for a oner already , you will be your own worst enemy running like that mate
But I hope you get it anyway !

[dazmond]

I let it go to 2 cleans for established custies usually 12/15 a clean but that’s it , newbs get 1 max .
Did you not think WTF am I doing on the 3rd one knowing they was into you for a oner already , you will be your own worst enemy running like that mate
But I hope you get it anyway !

i agree.....i dont let any £50+ jobs owe more than one clean........these are usually longer frequency cleans anyway(6 or 8 weekly)so i expect payment within 14 days of clean.....

letting the customers bill run up to £150 is ridiculous IMO.........hope you get paid though mate....

[Michael Peterson]

in my opinion i happens quite rarely but used to drive me insane now i have come to realise it is. normally easier to find a new customer

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I have one about to start the legal process.

This customer is an ex window cleaner too. 

[colin bird]

I've taken two customers to small claims court cost about £40 going from memory ,both owed £72 ,one paid up the other didn't,but now has a ccj against them
For me it's not about what they owe me it's the principal,I know a lot of guys on here let it go and move on,but I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go

How did you prove that they had any contract with you for services without a written contract?

When you fill the forms in there is an area to write details,I wrote six wkly  vist s agreed with customer,Windows cleaned on the following dates,invoice left after each clean,no complaint calls or texts recvd from customer,also dates of texts sent chasing payment,date of statement of account delivered by hand by myself when customer did not open door ( dont know if they were in or not )
I believe a copy of my claim was sent to customer one did not dispute my claim and paid up they also had to pay my costs.
The other scum bag didn't pay and now has ccj
Good luck hope that helps