Nice Customers But They Are Driving Me Mad.

[Qwerty]

Ok, to those who are dead against not allowing customers a week or so to pay for services rendered or goods supplied, can I safely assume none of you accept cheques as forms of payment? So far in this thread those against appear not to allow cheques (by virtue of the fact that they disagree with allowing a delay in payment), against bank transfer (unless it's done there and then whilst you are still in their home) and you are against offering them paying by card. This only leaves payment by cash or in kind!? Hmmmmm. I know what that screams of to some customers!

May I draw your attention to this-

Problem with building work, decorating or home improvements - Citizens Advice

The new act gives more rights to consumers. This is a good thing for me as I can advise them of their rights in detail and safeguard them from cowboys. It's not just about how a customer pays, but how the tradesman operates and their knowledge (or lack) of consumer law.

I guess I have either been extremely lucky with my customers, my knowledge and passing of this onto new potential customers through explanation in conversation, email and in my T&C's has deterred any chancers who may have tried to not pay/ mess me around. Either way it's been a win win situation for me and my business.

 

[Qwerty]

So what would you do if after 10 to 14 days you rang them for payment and they say there not paying as there not happy with the job.......

Sorry, I meant to answer this in my last post but I was on one!

Firstly, I would never phone them to chase an outstanding payment. The advisable action (from Trading Standards) is to send a letter by recorded delivery backed up with an email of the same, respectfully requesting the outstanding amount within a specified period and that I would waiver any charges if this was complied with. I would also add that if this wasn't paid that charges would be added (detailing them) and legal action taken, giving the name and address of my solicitor, and details on the small claims court procedure. It would be written in a clear, concise and professional non threatening way. I have never had to do this, but I have a draft letter drawn up which has been checked and approved by Trading Standards (I am a Trading Standards approved member so they check all of my documents).

Hope that answers your question

 

[Sean Kelly]

So in my case i completed the job on Fri. Sent out the invoice on Saturday (stating payment within 3 days). Followed up with an email on Wednesday due to payment being 1 day overdue. Then chased again wednesday evening via phone to be told payment has been set up for bank xfer on Fri.
Chased Fri afternoon via leaving voicemail.

Got bank xfer literally 30seconds later.

This couple should be ashamed with themselves.

The bottom line is that from start of job to final payment was 3weeks. By that time my credit card was asking me for payment for this couples materials.

My only mistake on this job is that i should have asked for staged payments.

 

[Andy Allen]

Geoff....I hear what your saying mate, but is it not easier just to ask for payment when you have finished?
Most of my customers pay on completion with out even asking for it......a cheque is as good as cash you can't cancel a cheque unless in extreme circumstances like you've lost your cheque book.......bank transfer is fine providing they do it when they say there going to......Most don't so I chase it with a text....but I keep on top of it.
I've been in buissnes for over 30 years .....and I trust nobody. .....the longer you leave payment me more excuses they come out with for not paying....

 

[Qwerty]

That's fine guys, you work your way and I work mine. I'm just trying to educate with regards to consumer rights and staying the right side of the law. This forum is all about sharing information and tips to make your business easier/ more successful.

Payment for goods/ services is a personal thing that varies from business to business. It's the working practices surrounding this that can be illegal and lead to a tradesman being prosecuted.

Just one local example- Rogue trader waived rights to customers’ “cooling off” period without them knowing

Oh, and the lowdown on customers stopping cheques....it can be done easily and does not need to be an exceptional circumstance but if the customer writes the cheque with the intention then that is the offence (albeit almost impossible to prove unless customer is stupid enough to admit it)....
Cheques - Citizens Advice

Geoff....I hear what your saying mate, but is it not easier just to ask for payment when you have finished?
.....and I trust nobody. .....the longer you leave payment me more excuses they come out with for not paying....

In short, no. I tell them that the invoice is as per quote or if anything else added from initial estimate and that I will email/ post invoice that evening.
As I said before, if your working practices work for you then that's fine. My business is all about trust (hence why I made the effort to be a Trading Standards approved trader) and this has never seen me fall foul of a dodgy customer or a bad judge of character on my part.......oh, and I don't work for builders which helps!!😀

@Andy Allen I meant to ask, and others that insist on payment there & then on completion......I am curious as to what steps you have in place if a customer refuses to pay or doesn't have the ability to (no cheques or cash or ability to pay online)?

 

[StevieBoy]

........I take a hit of 2.7% and I am happy with that as I'm stress free

That's fine, that's all I wanted to know lol.

 

[StevieBoy]

So what would you do if after 10 to 14 days you rang them for payment and they say there not paying as there not happy with the job.......

Not that that has ever happened to me in all the years I've been tiling, because whenever I leave a job I ask the customer the question, are you happy with everything.....

But if it did, I go round to discuss it with them obviously, and put things right.

What that's got to do with paying with a debit card machine etc, I'm not sure 😕

 

[Andy Allen]

That's fine guys, you work your way and I work mine. I'm just trying to educate with regards to consumer rights and staying the right side of the law. This forum is all about sharing information and tips to make your business easier/ more successful.

Payment for goods/ services is a personal thing that varies from business to business. It's the working practices surrounding this that can be illegal and lead to a tradesman being prosecuted.

Just one local example- Rogue trader waived rights to customers’ “cooling off” period without them knowing

Oh, and the lowdown on customers stopping cheques....it can be done easily and does not need to be an exceptional circumstance but if the customer writes the cheque with the intention then that is the offence (albeit almost impossible to prove unless customer is stupid enough to admit it)....
Cheques - Citizens Advice






In short, no. I tell them that the invoice is as per quote or if anything else added from initial estimate and that I will email/ post invoice that evening.
As I said before, if your working practices work for you then that's fine. My business is all about trust (hence why I made the effort to be a Trading Standards approved trader) and this has never seen me fall foul of a dodgy customer or a bad judge of character on my part.......oh, and I don't work for builders which helps!!😀

@Andy Allen I meant to ask, and others that insist on payment there & then on completion......I am curious as to what steps you have in place if a customer refuses to pay or doesn't have the ability to (no cheques or cash or ability to pay online)?

Hi Geoff
I would say 99% of customer pay me when I finished without me even asking for it.......I don't insist on being paid when finished but I do ask how and when there going to pay me if no money/ cheque or bank transfer is forth coming......to leave a customers house with no knowledge of how, when, if your ever going to get paid imo is barmy. At the end of the day it's just a discussion about payment and however they choose to pay is fine ....providing they stick to it..

Going back to cheques. ...I think Ollie, a forum member, had a dodgy customer that canceled a cheque .......the court wasn't interested in why she canceled the cheque he was awarded judgement purely on the fact she shouldn't have written a cheque and then canceled it....
Would be interested if anyone has had a similar experience.
Like you said this is what a forum is all about....sharing information and different views on things. ..🙂

 

[StevieBoy]

I'm pleased that's all sorted now lol 😀😉

 

[Andy Allen]

I'm pleased that's all sorted now lol 😀😉

Me too.....it's nice to know I'm right and you all agree with me..😀😉

 

[StevieBoy]

Me too.....it's nice to know I'm right and you all agree with me..😀😉

If you say so Andy, if you say so. 😛

 

[Qwerty]

😀😀😛

 

[bcd-87]

You have to remember that after you get paid by the customer and if there is a fault in your workmanship then any reputable tiler will return to resolve the issue. It's all part of the service.

If a customer drags out the payment process then the tiler will probably drag out the resolution process.

I'm just saying that the more i bend over for customers the more they take advantage.

I'd take advantage of you if you bent over

 

[MTiler]

So far Ive not had problems with customers paying (Ive only started using Ts & Cs this year). I usually email my invoice that evening for transfer payments.
Its other tilers Ive worked for that have ripped me off 🙁

 

[The D]

Problem with building work, decorating or home improvements - Citizens Advice
can't find the bit that says a client can have goods and services and not pay for them at the time specified. If it has been arranged that the payment is due in cash upon completion then that is how it should be paid. If you arrange payment within seven days by bank transfer then that is what should happen.


This thread appears to be suggesting that if you require payment on completion you are somehow doing things a bit under hand or at least unprofessionally. For me it is whatever you and the client are happy with as long as all concerned are fully aware of the terms and everyone does their bit there should be no problem.

 

[magga]

On the subject of invoices, I use Invoice2go, which is really good, it has a phone app etc and you can accept online card payments with only a 1.4% + 20p fee.

I usually chase customers up after a week if they haven't paid.

 

[Sean Kelly]

On the subject of invoices, I use Invoice2go, which is really good, it has a phone app etc and you can accept online card payments with only a 1.4% + 20p fee.

I usually chase customers up after a week if they haven't paid.

I have invoice2go but will not renew. Loads of syncing issues and lost data. I gave it a very bad review on google play.

 

[magga]

Oh that's a shame. I use the iPhone version and not had a problem with it, been using it for a year and a half now.

I also have a mobile printer, so print the invoice out in my van, and take it in to the customer, which always impresses them!

 

[bcd-87]

At last someone who thinks like me. I treat people/customers as I would like to be treated myself .

That's three of us, anymore?

4 I'm in