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people that dont pay bills
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Lorrainelovesplants



Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 4:21 pm    Post subject: people that dont pay bills Reply with quote
    

We did some servicing/repair work for a local hire firm, and gave them an invoice on the day we returned their stuff. This was over a month ago - still not paid.

I sent them a reminder 6 days ago and despite a promise of cash the next day - still not paid.

Its for £81 - not a lot of money, but Im cross about it.

Ideas? Realistic ones (I dont really want to be jailed for threatening)

Pilsbury



Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Do you get a lot of work from them or could you do without it?
If you survive without them I would be tempted to send them a copy of the invoice. The reminder. Their reply and a letter saying that due to the unpaid amount any work done will have to be paid for with cleared funds before the,item is returned to them and a storage fee or £x per week will become due after Tue first 7 days in future.

Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You can make a claim online at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk for £25. I only found out as I recently received a claim against me, but as I'd already paid the bill I responded as such & I believe the claimant has to pay the fees, so make sure they haven't already paid you before claiming.

chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Can you ring up tomorrow and say you are passing their way in a day or two and will be popping in for the cash, to save them bothering to post a cheque?

Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I believe you are legally allowed to charge interest after 28 days...

vegplot



Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

write a letter/email saying that you'd rather not make an interest charge for overdue payment but reluctantly you will have to if not paid within x days.

https://www.gov.uk/late-commercial-payments-interest-debt-recovery/charging-interest-commercial-debt

yummersetter



Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 6:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

A month!! I'm expecting payment soon from last year's invoices, that's the way my industry works.

chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 6:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

yummersetter wrote:
A month!! I'm expecting payment soon from last year's invoices, that's the way my industry works.


It does vary from industry to industry, so widely. We invoice on 30 days, expect to get paid around 45 days and start getting slightly snitty at 60. And if they don't pay by 90 days we don't work for them again without payment up front.

graysalchemy



Joined: 10 Oct 2012
Posts: 73

PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Send them a statement, followed by another a week later asking for payment politely but remind them of your terms, then send another letter threatening to take them to court, then send another saying you are taking action, that usually ,makes them ring you to say oh the cheque is in the post.

If that hasn't work just take a small claims action, its better to threaten and take action than not carry out your threats you don't want other customers to think you are a pushover.

gardening-girl



Joined: 25 Feb 2009
Posts: 6024
Location: Somerset.
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Our nice cleaning person(work) did me a favour by cleaning the carpets in our let property.To be paid by moving out tenant.
After a month,she still had not been paid.
I walked into his shop last Friday,and said
""I believe you owe me £95.50,I am quite happy to wait until I get it,cash would be nice""
Sat myself in a chair, and waited,whilst all the customers in the shop looked at both of us.
He went straight to the cashpoint, and got me the cash.

alison
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Nov 07, 12 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

gardening-girl wrote:
Our nice cleaning person(work) did me a favour by cleaning the carpets in our let property.To be paid by moving out tenant.
After a month,she still had not been paid.
I walked into his shop last Friday,and said
""I believe you owe me £95.50,I am quite happy to wait until I get it,cash would be nice""
Sat myself in a chair, and waited,whilst all the customers in the shop looked at both of us.
He went straight to the cashpoint, and got me the cash.


I've done that before , and I have turned up at someones house to collect storage money, after they bounced a cheque, having collected their van for a holiday, then decided not to come back. Polite and firm is a good way to go.

Lorrainelovesplants



Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 12 8:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Ive phoned again this morning and he says he'll be round in 20 mins with the cash...........

the 20 mins has come and gone.............
If nothing by 9am I will start writing a letter......

and, no we dont need the business, and Im happy to name and shame.

Lorrainelovesplants



Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 12 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Right, Ive copied the original bill, the reminder and written a letter stating terms (clearly noted on the original bill), and that I expect cleared payment by 15th Nov, and that after this I will be charging interest and storage.
Should I hand deliver or post?

chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 12 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'd pop round with it. You might embarrass them in to giving you the cash.

gemini



Joined: 02 Nov 2012
Posts: 69

PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 12 10:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hi

In my old life, there were factoring companies, you would send all your invoices into them, they would pay them for a small fee, they then would chase them for you,it was ideal for small businesses, as you got control of your cashflow, and could always depend on your invoices being paid, they also used to check out your supplier and set a credit limit. Barclays used to do it, but if you go to your small business advisor, they will probably have an up to date list, but it was brilliant for small companies, and would help them grow in a competitve market Gemini

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