[jo5hm4n]

I know years ago everyone was using Thomas Higgins debt collection letters for £3 or whatever but last time i spoke to them it was like £25 a letter and they just came across really rude and unhelpful.

So i am curious, for those of you still sending out debt collection letters or letter before action, who are you using?

I have 2 window cleaners that owe me money for lead generation services and we are talking £500+.  I have been as nice as possible but its been months and months now so i can't let it fly.

Thank guys.

[Splash & dash]

I know years ago everyone was using Thomas Higgins debt collection letters for £3 or whatever but last time i spoke to them it was like £25 a letter and they just came across really rude and unhelpful.

So i am curious, for those of you still sending out debt collection letters or letter before action, who are you using?

I have 2 window cleaners that owe me money for lead generation services and we are talking £500+.  I have been as nice as possible but its been months and months now so i can't let it fly.

Thank guys.

The law has changed now you cannot go straight to the small claims court you have to go to mediation  total waste of time , I think they have done it to stop so many going to court , causes some many issues with the client ignoring letters and not turning up to the meetings unless it’s several thousands of pounds it’s not worth the time or effort and certainly not worth the stress , we now get substantial deposits from any new clients that I feel could be problematic payers before any work is done , this seams to sort out  non payers

[Richard iSparkle]

Make them pay when they book

Or if you can’t stomach that make them pay half to book and half before you hand over the contacts

And stop being nice as pie. Be clear about when payment is due and chase it when it is with emails and calls. The older the debt is the less likely you’ll ever get it

[Spruce]

I know years ago everyone was using Thomas Higgins debt collection letters for £3 or whatever but last time i spoke to them it was like £25 a letter and they just came across really rude and unhelpful.

So i am curious, for those of you still sending out debt collection letters or letter before action, who are you using?

I have 2 window cleaners that owe me money for lead generation services and we are talking £500+.  I have been as nice as possible but its been months and months now so i can't let it fly.

Thank guys.

The law has changed now you cannot go straight to the small claims court you have to go to mediation  total waste of time , I think they have done it to stop so many going to court , causes some many issues with the client ignoring letters and not turning up to the meetings unless it’s several thousands of pounds it’s not worth the time or effort and certainly not worth the stress , we now get substantial deposits from any new clients that I feel could be problematic payers before any work is done , this seams to sort out  non payers

There is a note on my dentist's notice board I read this morning stating that no dental work will be done until full payment is received in advance.

[Stoots]

I certainly wouldn't be writing off £500.

Small claims route or maybe search online for debt collection company's that would be willing to take this on. They make take a large percentage but I'd want them stung for it if nothing else but principal.

Maybe citizens advice can advise on the correct small claims process ? I know its changed as above but I'd still pursue it .

And as you know when I used to sell leads I took the entire payment up front.

[Smudger]

Not worth the hassle for £500

You/others may feel that’s a lot of dosh to lose but believe me doing a small claim these days is a very long and arduous process - you have to mediate at least once and trying to get dates suitable for all parties is virtually impossible in the long run  it costs you more cash and a ton of time that’s better spent elsewhere

Best solution and lesson learned is to get payment up front

[Splash & dash]

I certainly wouldn't be writing of £500.

Small claims route or maybe search online for debt collection company's that would be willing to take this on. They make take a large percentage but I'd want them stung for it if nothing else but principal.

Maybe citizens advice can advise on the correct small claims process ? I know its changed as above but I'd still pursue it .

And as you know when I used to sell leafs I took the entire payment up front.

You have to go to arbitration, a debt collector has to do the same if they do it on your behalf  will cost a lot more than £500 believe me been there and done that , I have ccj against a company  been in place for 4 years or so no nearer getting the money now than at the time  and it was a lot more than a few hundred quid , it’s a hard lesson learned, any big one off jobs now it’s 50 % payment up front before we start  just in case .

[the king]

get your self a private debt collector jots of fighters out there that will get your cash back they just add there cut to the debt

[Splash & dash]

get your self a private debt collector jots of fighters out there that will get your cash back they just add there cut to the debt

Unfortunately  cannot do that anymore they have to go down the arbitration route

[Smudger]

get your self a private debt collector jots of fighters out there that will get your cash back they just add there cut to the debt

Unfortunately  cannot do that anymore they have to go down the arbitration route

MODDED

yeah, of course they will 

Darran

[H2GoKent]

I am a qualified pest controller, and for all spray jobs and most rodent work people have to pay first. Can unkill things, can I?
No one minds at all, for window cleaning first time is payment on the day, always

[Splash & dash]

get your self a private debt collector jots of fighters out there that will get your cash back they just add there cut to the debt

Unfortunately  cannot do that anymore they have to go down the arbitration route

MODDED

That’s really professional 😂😂

[the king]

get your self a private debt collector jots of fighters out there that will get your cash back they just add there cut to the debt

Unfortunately  cannot do that anymore they have to go down the arbitration route

MODDED

That’s really professional 😂😂

when the legal system don’t work you have to get with the program 🤷

[tlwcs]

Have you still got address or contact numbers of the canvassed work?
You could always give that with prices to a local competitor. Or visit them and tell them the new cleaner has been found to be dishonest and to wary of him on their property.
Or just get someone to kick his head in 😁

[Stoots]

Of course there are debt collectors that will get there money by threats and beatings, crime exists.

Most of us wouldnt do it because either we are not capable or wouldnt want to deal with the consequences but lets face it if you could get away with it who wouldnt enjoy dishing out a good old fashioned ass whooping to someone whos just had 500 quid off you, theres no better revenge imo. People think they can just do what they want to others and hide behind the law, which in most cases they can but god help the person who rips off the wrong man.

[Smudger]

Not for £500

Now when I was caught for 10k - the purchase of a baseball bat was appealing…..

Darran

[Stoots]

Not for £500

Now when I was caught for 10k - the purchase of a baseball bat was appealing…..

Darran

I've had thoughts of violence over a tenner   

It's not the amount that's the issue it's the thought of someone having one over on me that causes sleepless nights. 

[Smudger]

in some ways smaller amounts can stir more rage but I just look upon them as sad individuals

Darran

[jo5hm4n]

Thanks for the advice guys.

So it appears going to small claims court is definitely not worth the effort, the mediation is not worth the effort either.

What about the idea of just sending the debt collection letters as a way to intimidate?  I used to find that sending letter before actions would get atleast 50%+ of people to pay just out of fear alone.

After reading these posts on here it was news to me that taking people to small claims court is now not as viable as it was only a few years ago.

Maybe other people dont realise this?  Maybe just me sending the threat letter alone will get them to pay.  I might try this.

In terms of taking payments upfront.  So we currently take between 25-50% deposit on 1st time orders.

When we establish trust with window cleaners though we stop taking payments upfront and so far for about 90% of the window cleaners i work with they pay promptly and its no issues.

It seems to just be a small number of window cleaners who take advantage of this and then all of a sudden stop paying for my services.

Every occasion this has happened has been with a one man band operator.  Its never happened with a firm that has 2+ vans on the road.

So possibly with the small one man band operators i will have to start taking 50% payment upfront on every single order.

Or i was thinking of implementing a new strategy where for any new cleaner that i work with the first 5 orders its 50% payment upfront, but then when trust is established or at my discretion i will stop taking payments upfront if i get good vibes.  Atleast half the people who are currently not paying me i had some kind of bad energy feeling towards them, my gut feeling was right, but i still chose to take the risk of working with them.  Sometimes you have too though.  One window cleaner who gave me really dodgy vibes,  i gave him a chance and he spent 10k+ in a year with me and hes referred so much work my way.  Sometimes risks are needed.

Dont get me wrong i could start taking 100% payment up front but i just know this will put off so many new window cleaners from working with me, as no trust is established at this stage.  I'd almost rather make it easier for people to work with me knowing 95% will be fine and the odd person who might try and do me over i can live with that if i have too.

[Splash & dash]

Thanks for the advice guys.

So it appears going to small claims court is definitely not worth the effort, the mediation is not worth the effort either.

What about the idea of just sending the debt collection letters as a way to intimidate?  I used to find that sending letter before actions would get atleast 50%+ of people to pay just out of fear alone.

After reading these posts on here it was news to me that taking people to small claims court is now not as viable as it was only a few years ago.

Maybe other people dont realise this?  Maybe just me sending the threat letter alone will get them to pay.  I might try this.

In terms of taking payments upfront.  So we currently take between 25-50% deposit on 1st time orders.

When we establish trust with window cleaners though we stop taking payments upfront and so far for about 90% of the window cleaners i work with they pay promptly and its no issues.

It seems to just be a small number of window cleaners who take advantage of this and then all of a sudden stop paying for my services.

Every occasion this has happened has been with a one man band operator.  Its never happened with a firm that has 2+ vans on the road.

So possibly with the small one man band operators i will have to start taking 50% payment upfront on every single order.

Or i was thinking of implementing a new strategy where for any new cleaner that i work with the first 5 orders its 50% payment upfront, but then when trust is established or at my discretion i will stop taking payments upfront if i get good vibes.  Atleast half the people who are currently not paying me i had some kind of bad energy feeling towards them, my gut feeling was right, but i still chose to take the risk of working with them.  Sometimes you have too though.  One window cleaner who gave me really dodgy vibes,  i gave him a chance and he spent 10k+ in a year with me and hes referred so much work my way.  Sometimes risks are needed.

Dont get me wrong i could start taking 100% payment up front but i just know this will put off so many new window cleaners from working with me, as no trust is established at this stage.  I'd almost rather make it easier for people to work with me knowing 95% will be fine and the odd person who might try and do me over i can live with that if i have too.

It’s definitely worth trying a before action letter trouble is it’s usually these ones who don’t pay that know the law inside out . Give it a go and let us know how it goes 👍