Have I done the right thing?

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SAFETYMATTERSPAT

Hi everyone

Three years ago we carried out some pat testing for a local company...anyway the bill came to £150 and the agreed term for payment was within 30 days of invoice date..ok 90 days later and several letters calls etc the client had not paid so I then paid for a debt collector and within 7 days the debt was paid in full less my expenses.
Last year same client same agreement same thing more or less give or take afew days.
Then 2009 well same agreement etc but when it got to 60 days and he still hadnt paid I spoke to him (and we are talking £120 this time) and his company is taking a million ish - and he wanted another 30 days to pay, he was coming up with all the same excuses as the last two years and after careful consideration I informed him that it was too late and after listening to him shouting at me down the phone and he said Ill just tell the judge I cant pay it and offer to pay it at £5 aweek, he knows all the tricks etc, I felt guilty after and couldnt sleep that night, but what the heck hes had enough chances. I too have a family to look after and I bet Im not on a quarter of the money hes on.
Well the point is, and I know its been like this for a long time, but shouldnt the big or bigger boys pay more promptly than they do, and shouldnt there be " a body" or "group" that can sort it out, without going to see the judge.

sorry for the moan
cheers
safetyman
 
No offence mate but once bitten twice shy comes to mind.

If you had to chase £150, and it cost you to get it, then he ain't worth doing business with, he definateley wouldn't of got me in that situation again.
 
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Sounds like a good price for PAT testing. Especially for a company with a million pound turnover.

I'd issue a small claims without too much guilt.

Some clients aren't worth having.
 
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Don't lose any sleep over this - did it ever occur to you that this business routinely pleads poverty, messes people around and generally tries to screw the small business / sole trader as a matter of course?
 
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(i) Issue a claim via the online small claims court
(ii) Issue them with a statutory interest claim for all late paid invoices over the last 3years
(iii) Demand payment up front next time they want your services
 
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Thanks
Ive started proceedings - now to find some new paying clients...
cheers
safetyman
 
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don't feel guilty...i've had 3 non payers now and i've had to insist on contracts and terms/condition sheets with severe financial penalties if they don't pay on time! this is just to get the odd £500 by the way. otherwise they just don't pay...we're not talking poor businesses, we're usually talking millionaire businessmen who try to save themselves a few thousand a year by ripping off small businesses and sole traders.
 
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When we have this situation I issue a pro-forma invoice before starting any new contracts. Then if they want the work done they pay in advance otherwise they have to find someone else. Chasing bad debts takes far to much time and takes away any profit you might have made.
 
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To be honest, you shouldn't have taken the same client on 3 times!

The first time should have been enough for you to say no way, never again!

I would personally issue a small claim against him in courts, and explain what you understand about the company - turnover, profitabilty, your cost etc.

Just make sure you go for enough so that he pays all fees for previous times also!
 
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Now you know why he's earning millions and you're worrying about £100+
Learn your lessons, business is a harsh world.
 
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THANKS amillion for all the advice.
have started proceeding so theres not much else i can do.
thanks again
safetyman
 
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