How To Get People To Pay?

[fred3655]

We went in and did a floor waxing for a privately owned pre-school and nursery. It has been 3 weeks since the service was completed, the owner or director are nowhere to be found. I have called everyday and gotten "You just missed them" or "They are expected in sometime later today". I've emailed them a copy of the invoice every day. I've visited the school a couple of days a week, some days even twice, before and after a job I've had scheduled in the area.

The secretary has given me nothing but empty promises, probably not her fault, but I'm tired of "come on this day and you we'll have a check for you" followed by "you know what, I brought it to the owner's attention but he had a meeting to prepare for and it must have slipped his mind."

Now they're starting in with "well, the job wasn't done right" although I have gotten great reviews from the teachers.

It's roughly 2 grand. What do I do? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[RoboShark]

your'e doing the right thing for now but There are collections companies that guarantee they will get the money but they take a huge percentage. Probably find them online pretty easily.

 

[Tile Professional]

3 weeks is nothing for a business owner to wait to pay the bills. Many will simple not pay a bill until it is a month old...its hard to get them to change. Now if the jobs is not done right in their eyes then thats a different problem.

 

[Tron]

I agree, I've waited 90 days before, I'd start the empathy approach next, "I'm just trying to close up my open invoices and you guys are the last ones to have paid" "I really really need to get a check, I have bills for the materials I used paid out of my other jobs profits" etc etc

Then I would have my lawyer write a letter. Much less than a collection agency %.

 

[fred3655]

The terms were clearly spelled out that payment was due upon completion of the job. I know companies have billing processes, and I accommodate for that when necessary, but it is a rare occurrence when I allow for that.

The owner arrived when we were almost done with the job, and remarked how clean the floor and baseboards were, and said he has never seen any of his facilities look that good after a waxing. He took off saying that I could reach him at the school on Monday when we could arrange payment (it was a Saturday). The complaints started only after I made it clear a couple of weeks later that this was subject to collections unless payment arrangements are made. Even then, all communication was through the office secretary since neither he (the owner) nor his wife (the school director), never seem to be at the facility or return their calls.

I'm not much of an empathy person, but I like the lawyer idea. I never make negative remarks and don't complain about their lack of payment. However, by not giving me so much as a return email or phone call, something doesn't smell right about this and I want to take care of it asap.

 

[TheEyeball]

I would be at this dude's house. If people have enough nerve not to pay me then I have enough nerve to knock on their door. Only had to do it once but it worked.

 

[Mrs.SpeedySteamer]

The terms were clearly spelled out that payment was due upon completion of the job. I know companies have billing processes, and I accommodate for that when necessary, but it is a rare occurrence when I allow for that.

The owner arrived when we were almost done with the job, and remarked how clean the floor and baseboards were, and said he has never seen any of his facilities look that good after a waxing. He took off saying that I could reach him at the school on Monday when we could arrange payment (it was a Saturday). The complaints started only after I made it clear a couple of weeks later that this was subject to collections unless payment arrangements are made. Even then, all communication was through the office secretary since neither he (the owner) nor his wife (the school director), never seem to be at the facility or return their calls.

I'm not much of an empathy person, but I like the lawyer idea. I never make negative remarks and don't complain about their lack of payment. However, by not giving me so much as a return email or phone call, something doesn't smell right about this and I want to take care of it asap.

Good Luck! I like the lawyer idea personally. A nice letter from your lawyer on their letter head, show you aren't going anywhere and you mean business. The fact that he implied that you would get paid sooner rather than letter shows he can't be held to the 30, 45, or 90 grace period for some businesses.

 

[rob allen]

We have choices;

[video=youtube;Dc05wjMHnOo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc05wjMHnOo[/video]

[video=youtube;MniS2ptF0DU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MniS2ptF0DU[/video]

 

[LFC]

Send them a picture of Frank holding that cat, and say "we think there may be a problem with our email as we have had our invoices bounce back. We hope you don't mind if our finance manager pops round to drop the invoice off"

 

[TheEyeball]

Send them a picture of Frank holding that cat, and say "we think there may be a problem with our email as we have had our invoices bounce back. We hope you don't mind if our finance manager pops round to drop the invoice off"

 

[maverick85142]

Try these guy's...heard they really good...if you can find them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVonyVSQoM&feature=related

 

[Pinosan]

The terms were clearly spelled out that payment was due upon completion of the job. I know companies have billing processes, and I accommodate for that when necessary, but it is a rare occurrence when I allow for that.

The owner arrived when we were almost done with the job, and remarked how clean the floor and baseboards were, and said he has never seen any of his facilities look that good after a waxing. He took off saying that I could reach him at the school on Monday when we could arrange payment (it was a Saturday). The complaints started only after I made it clear a couple of weeks later that this was subject to collections unless payment arrangements are made. Even then, all communication was through the office secretary since neither he (the owner) nor his wife (the school director), never seem to be at the facility or return their calls.

I'm not much of an empathy person, but I like the lawyer idea. I never make negative remarks and don't complain about their lack of payment. However, by not giving me so much as a return email or phone call, something doesn't smell right about this and I want to take care of it asap.

I have to methods that are efficient in collecting this debts. My feeling If he wanted to pay you he would have called you already to at least tell you the check is in process. so back to collections.

My collection agency can get you a check for 33% of the total no upfront no payment if not collected.
Attorney letter is always cheaper but if this guy knows that your attorney is not going to go after them

you end up with paying attorney and collection agency anyway.

With all the trips to the school and chasing and writing and getting angry and frustrated, you probably have spent more then 33%
not to mention the gastritis that it causes.

Number two my cousin: he does not were a tie and his not properly spoken but I assure you he'll be back with your money and car to sell in the black market ( je je je it's a joke )

If you want the number for that agency PM me. and stop loosing your hair men it's not worth it.

 

[dmreed4311]

I have two kids in daycare and if you are a minute late with payment they are all over you. I would sit in a lawnchair infront of their business with a sign letting everyone know they do not pay thier bills. Trust me they will not like that. If you are too busy to do it hire a guy for 10 bucks an hour to do it. I did this to a property that owed me alot of money and within three hours of me having two guys picketing the place I got a call from the manager telling me that a check was being overnighted. i called of my guys and a check was there the next day.

 

[kineard]

2k? It is time to send Bubba over. I am sure Bubba will only charges like $100.
Sand in the gas tank.
A couple of broken windows.
Then ask how his luck has been.

Seriously go in when the parents are dropping kids off and make a seen.
Tell him you will be back everyday until he pays you.
No the price is $2500 for the collection effort.
He is disturbing your business it is time to do the same to his.

 

[braddaddy]

Tell the secretary/office girl that you will start asking the parents if they know how to get ahold to the owners,...... since no one else can....

maybe that with speed things up without you needing to even do it.

 

[davenjai]

OK! So, everyone here is getting paid two days later on their commercial work? Is this an alternate reality or something? Pre 30 days, your antics would piss me the ever loving hell off. If you want to be payed that fast, submit a Net 10 - 1.5% invoice and they MAY pay on that.

Show up on my doorstep a few weeks after a job and your butt is either leaving empty handed or in cuffs. Market that reputation!

 

[TheEyeball]

OK! So, everyone here is getting paid two days later on their commercial work? Is this an alternate reality or something? Pre 30 days, your antics would piss me the ever loving hell off. If you want to be payed that fast, submit a Net 10 - 1.5% invoice and they MAY pay on that.

Show up on my doorstep a few weeks after a job and your butt is either leaving empty handed or in cuffs. Market that reputation!

He said the agreement between both of them was payment at completion.

Yes, apartments and property management companies, among others, take 30+ days to pay, but this was prearranged at a small business where the owner is accessible and on site. Not to mention if you call a property management company and ask about payment they'll straight up tell you to wait. None of this jerking around stuff. The day care told him "come by we'll have your check" and then surprise no check.

 

[dmreed4311]

A large part of my business is commercial work from apartments, realestate ect... 30 day terms, 60 days terms suck!
So I joined a factoring company, what is a factoring company you ask! Any invoice I have I can give them and they give me the money the next day minus 5 percent. Losing that 5 percent is nothing compared to waiting for money. This factoring company has made my life so much easier, they make all collection calls and if the client never pays they eat it.

 

[kineard]

A large part of my business is commercial work from apartments, realestate ect... 30 day terms, 60 days terms suck!
So I joined a factoring company, what is a factoring company you ask! Any invoice I have I can give them and they give me the money the next day minus 5 percent. Losing that 5 percent is nothing compared to waiting for money. This factoring company has made my life so much easier, they make all collection calls and if the client never pays they eat it.

5% is a good rate. I thought they were much more than that. Do they have a minimum ticket.

 

[ayetti]

I never realized that was digi, somehow I thought frank was all old and wise (I guess because he is so mellow and kind here) I guess a guy that size can be mellow on a bb, then just go crack skulls in real life. Intense, I bet frank gets paid!