How to collect on slow paying customer?

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pinpointdan

New member
We did some work for a guy about 2.5 months ago now. He got us a job for 1500, not sure exactly what he was doing but he was somehow involved in repairs on a rich guys house that was being sold, we washed that house.

He asked us to wash a couple of things at his house which was close. We quoted him 180. He said 180 was too little, so he said 200 would be better. He called me on the way home and told me he would pay 250 for us to do it earlier than scheduled. The orignal price on the first house was about 1250 which he told us to raise.

So now he hasnt payed. When I call he will say, "oh you know what, I havent sent that out yet, sorry, Ill get that out today". Which happens almost everytime, he will act as if he knew he sent it, then after "checking" tell me that infact he had not.

I dont want to be a jerk about it, partially because I dont know if it will actually be effective, but I don't know what else to do.
 
He wasn't planning on paying you anyway thats why he offered to give you more money. You obviously know where he lives so go over and demand payment. You haves two choices in my opinion. (1) Tell him to pay you today (2) Write it off as a bad debt. PERIOD.
 
Bring the dirt back!!!
 
I always just write it off as bad debt.. But we collect info on all of our accounts , We also check credit worthiness on our customers that want 30 day accounts... And we do report bad debt to the credit Reporting Agencies... Heck don't pay your credit card one month and see what it says on your credit report... his is the only way ... ALWAYS collect all info on your 30 day account customers ... If they dont want to give it to you then I probably wouldn't do the work..
 
Just ask him if he is having trouble, then suggest and easier way to pay you even if it payments. agree that if he pays you the payments every month you will not take collection action.

He will either agree because hes a good person, or he will tell you he doesnt really have it. and wont
 
It could be a case of theft by deception some cities and states have that law on the books.It also could fall under a bad contractor law after Katrina and the other hurricanes down here in the south they have really cracked down on people who don't pay or get paid and don't do the work.Some go to jail.

This guy is a contractor I'm assuming from your post about him doing work for people so maybe that is an option.There are laws to protect us to.

I would also tell the guy that I'm going to approach the owner about your money.If he got paid the owner would know, and it would also give him the name he deserves with his clients.He may pay you out of his pocket if he hasn't paid the guy yet.

If any of the above don't work, order a 55 gal drum of Whoopass from Bob and deliver it to the guy.LOL
 
Alright thanks. He's about an hour away but Ill make sure that next time we are in Nashville to stop by his house.

Apparently the guy is a limo driver, so I really dont know what he was doing at that house, maybe it was just something on the side, who knows. Lots of good ideas though, thanks.
 
Some places the law is similar, here in Texas it is called Theft of Services and if you go to small claims court you might be able to put a "Mechanic's Lien" on his house or other property so it can't be sold with a clear title and just makes life a little harder for him.

There is no guarantee that he will pay but having him served with court papers at his work or home in front of neighbors (which is legal) might change his mind.

If all that fails then there is the tried and true "old fashioned method" that my relatives from Italy are so famous for.
 
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