Customer has done a runner!!!

[dave2005]

Hello,

I've been subcontacting some work from an IT consultant (I'm a support engineer by trade) and he seems to have done a runner on me. I've been doing projects for the guy off and on for about 4 years and billing him monthly for any projects we do.

Last month's cheque was stopped (by him) and I've spent the last few days trying to contact the consultant. It would appear that he has moved from Scotland to an office in the South of England, however he has ignored all of my calls and emails to him. I am fairly sure I know where he has set up shop down South because I've been given his forwarding address by the new tennant in his previous office.

The amount in question is just over £1000 which is too high for the small claims courts in Scotland, and I'm not sure if it is worth spending money to try and reclaim what is owed to me as this could be more than the amount I'm owed. In principle though, I'm not happy to let him get away with this and I am out some money on the components for the work I did for him (about £150.)

Any advice is much appreciated.

[DuaneJackson]

It'd be nice to send the lads round for a quiet yet intimidating word, but perhaps not a very good idea.

In real terms what have you lost? ie, x hours and £150 pounds?

As much as it'll not make you feel better right now the best option might be to accept the loss, leanr the lesson and move on.

Had a similar problem a few years ago and eventually realised that dwelling on it was just creating a negative mindset in me that crossed over into other areas which then exacerbated the small intitial loss.

[Jayne]

Maybe we should black ball him, tell us his name and company then no one will use him.

Or spam him to death :twisted:

Jayne

[barry.hynd]

Hi Dave,

Why dont you get a solicitor or a sheriff officer to pursue him for the money. You can get what's called a summary warrant issued against him which you can then asked to be actioned. The sheriff officers can be very persuasive and can also help track him down. PM me if you want details of the guys I use.

[dave2005]

Hi thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Wow, I wasn't expecting any replies so soon - there must be a lot of on the ball people here.

I'll consider all the replies and think about what to do next. I'm not going to name him just yet - although if I don't get anywhere with him over the next couple of days, I'll be happy to tip you off as to his identity.

What really bugs me the most is that I know several of his customers quite well and they are going to be left high and dry for their support needs over this. They're also going to give me a hard time when I refuse to go out to them. It's also a bit insulting that he was willing to write off 4 years of doing good business together over a thousand quid.

[MinuWeb]

Just show the cheque to any clients that blame you, explain the situation and then take them as your own clients.

[bwglaw]

If the debtor has relocated to South of England then you could use the County Courts here to bring a claim against him. You would also be able to recover any costs, statutory interest etc from the debtor.

I certainly would not advise in 'naming and shaming' this person on a public forum as this will not strengthen your case.

If you would like us to assist you with the matter please e-mail us direct at legal.services@handsongroup.co.uk

[Russ]

I presume that all the customers he willbe letting down will be looking for a new support contract? Why not contact them on an individual basis, explain the situation and offer to provide the service yourself????????

Seems like every cloud has a silver lining :wink:

[mumper]

Aren't there companies around that buy the debt and then recover it from the person who owes you - or are they just called bailiffs?

[bwglaw]

Aren't there companies around that buy the debt and then recover it from the person who owes you - or are they just called bailiffs?

Some Debt Collection Agencies may buy the debt but I think that has now diminished because the debt may be in dispute i.e. failed to carry out some work, which the Debt Collector cannot rectify.

Bailiffs are powerless without a court order. Recovering £1000 from another business, especially a Ltd Company, should not be so difficult.

The claimant can bring a claim in the Sheriff Court against a company in England. If the defendant replies and the defendant is an individual then it will be transferred to their local court. In enforcement proceedings the matter can be transferred to the defendants local court in any event. If the defendant is a Ltd Co then it may be more effective to instruct High Court Enforcement Officers