Rogue customers

[mjrowanplumbing]

I am sick to death of the plethera of rogue trader shows...funny how there are no programmes on customers, who love your work but still refuse to pay in full....or add on extra work but expect not to pay or are just out and out ********s!!! Have set up page on my facebook a/c to name and shame them, and so try and save other local traders from getting burned!!!!!!

 

[CKG]

I agree there are some numb skull bonkers customers out there - and I've had my fair share of them over the years.

Very few set out to rip you off in my opinion - it's usually a breakdown in comms or unrealistic expectations that turn things sour.

Too tight deadlines, customer not understanding that you have other customers besides them, customers not understanding your need to generate cash, us over promising time scales to win work, us not being clear enough what is and isn't included etc etc

If I've learnt anything over the years it's just to let it go and smile. You wont make your fortune arguing the toss over a few hours extra work or a few meters of pipe and fittings.

If bigger problems than that keep occurring on your jobs you maybe need to have a word with yourself and figure out why.

 

[maxine]

Eek.. facebook page for name and shame. I like the idea but I really wouldn't want the hassle that must go with that. Have your rogues seen it yet?

But agree with CKG .. let it go and smile and onto the next job. My bit is to never give credit ever if I can help it or at least only up to a very small credit limit.

Good luck in getting paid

 

[MorrisChesterfield]

i agree also,

pain in the a$$!

Ive thought of selling there debt on to a family member and his mates who would collect the money but its ' if ' something goes wrong and i get arrested for not sorting it legally.

When you dont get paid the council still wants there rates ( £1100 ) a month plus rent on top! im sure other companys pay more than me, but it stinks!

any way .....

ben

 

[ITsoldUK]

I am sick to death of the plethera of rogue trader shows...funny how there are no programmes on customers, who love your work but still refuse to pay in full....or add on extra work but expect not to pay or are just out and out ********s!!! Have set up page on my facebook a/c to name and shame them, and so try and save other local traders from getting burned!!!!!!

Yup, some customers can prove to be demanding BUT

IMHO if you carry on in this vein you won't have to worry about it for too long...

 

[Orrell Electrics]

Completed a rewire for a customer 4 days ago, it was 4 days of hell the house was ancient, all done gave her a copy of the NICEIC certificate and asked her how she was paying - bank transfer she replied ok no problem emailed details same day..

Still waiting to be paid, no word back from customer either

Some customers are great and pay you instantly and some well grr!

70 percent of my commercial customers are on 30 day payment terms, i have no issue with waiting for payment but private customers, i am surre will Tesco allow me to pay for my shopping when i feel like it?

Oh well never mind just grit your teeth and play the waiting game

 

[BobbyBoy]

You could overcome this problem by altering your payment terms to;

Balance on final day of installation (rather than completion, as completion is ambiguous);
By cheque (to be paid 7 days prior to work commencing to allow cheque to clear)
By bank transfer (as above)
By cash
By card (x% credit card fee applies)
By Building Society or Bank cheque

Also, get payment for materials on delivery, not afterwards

So long as your payment terms are made clear on your quote and on your terms and conditions of trading you should not have a problem - also you should consider asking for a bigger deposit, and a payment on commencement of works and a further payment after 7 days, and every 7 days afterwards.


Hope this helps

Bobby

 

[Tech4Homes]

We were recently called out to add a socket for the company that films one of the main "rogue builder" show, we pulled someone off a job, made him travel back to this site, arrived quickly with all the gear need but the house owner refused to let us install the extra socket as they didn't actually seem to want it.

We left, the tv company refuses to pay us for a 1 hour call out because "you didn't do anything".

Not just contractors that can be "rogue"!

 

[farmerswife]

agree agree agree! Some of the nicest customers have turned overnight in the tightest, nastiest and then turn around and disagree with our valuation. You work your guts out but the law seems to work on their side and you could end up being paid £1 for month for 20 years!

What concerns me is that anyone can employ a tradesman if they have the money or not and once the materials are laid they belong to the homeowner!!!!

Quote, T&Cs and interim payments are the only safety net for us.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

I agree, there should actually be a show called "Rogue Customers"!