Don’t be too disheartened, your an amazing Electrician. You have many customers who really appreciate your approach and work, me included! Some people unfortunately just chance their arm to beat people down on price when it’s not necessary or appropriate.
Thank you Ritch, I am very lucky that these customers don't come along too often, think I've had 3 in total since I've been trading. Most of my customers are just like you, which can be really satisfying knowing that we have a mutual respect for each-other. Thank you for your comment, it really helps.
Sorry for your troubles Dean and glad u sorted now....doesnt excuse customers though mate......look what happened to dave and nige from dses they had that lady who flipped on them and police came.... dont feel bad dude you know as i do there are thousands like that out there....its unfortunate when your prices are fair..... Keep strong brother...have a drink or meal with the missus and chalk it up as one of them .... respect
Yes I had this happen to me and I just take them to county court. . Give her 14 days noticed or its court , down load the papers , fill them in and send her a copy. You can add the court cost to the invoice. Don't fuck about with them and don't argue with them . I can guarantee they won't defend it . Then if they don't pay send in the bailiff then they have to pay the bailiff cost as well . But it will screw her credit rating up
This is why its worth learning some basics in contract law amongst other legislation that you can throw at these people when they start the emotional game. From experience, they usually back down once a small claims summons pops through the door. Still mentally stressful all the same as it's the feeling of someone taking advantage that really worms it's way in.
Thank you for your comment. My contract Terms and Conditions are totally watertight, but still I find it's not worth the stress of the process for £200. Thank you for commenting.
Mate i feel your pain! I have just been done over as well. Long story short. I did 2 day out of 3 at a clients property, All that was left was a spot of sanding on some filler around a light switch and throw a spot of mortar to cover a cable, wire in a nest. Client kept on cancelling the last day, asked me to invoice for works completed. After lots of excuses after 5 and half weeks i threatened legal action. That’s when it got serious. The email email i received was like nothing i have ever received before, i barely slept until i spoke with a solicitor and finally got the insurance on board. Happily send you the email if you want. My insurance emailed him 3 weeks ago and have never received a response. Apparently it’s a tactic where clients get you in for a few small jobs to build trust then drop you on the big work, citing poor workmanship, threaten legal action and an insurance claim in the hope you drop it. This invoice is for £550. Horrible horrible experience, like you say 99% of people are good as gold but it only takes one to really throw you off. But i am going to wait for insurance to do it’s thing one way or another and then i’m off to small claims. 6 years apparently to chase unpaid invoices.
Got a property developer who owes me £1800, we did the guy a massive favour, brought a squad of guys in to smash the job.out in 1 day. 2 months later the guy still hasnt paid. I had to pay the guys out of my own pocket so now am behind on bills. Really P's me off wjen people dont pay!!!
Don’t be too disheartened, your an amazing Electrician. You have many customers who really appreciate your approach and work, me included! Some people unfortunately just chance their arm to beat people down on price when it’s not necessary or appropriate.
Thank you Ritch, I am very lucky that these customers don't come along too often, think I've had 3 in total since I've been trading.
Most of my customers are just like you, which can be really satisfying knowing that we have a mutual respect for each-other.
Thank you for your comment, it really helps.
Sorry for your troubles Dean and glad u sorted now....doesnt excuse customers though mate......look what happened to dave and nige from dses they had that lady who flipped on them and police came.... dont feel bad dude you know as i do there are thousands like that out there....its unfortunate when your prices are fair..... Keep strong brother...have a drink or meal with the missus and chalk it up as one of them .... respect
Cheers mate, appreciate the comment, not been feeling the best lately with that going on but going to put it all behind me.
Thanks for your comment.
Yes I had this happen to me and I just take them to county court. . Give her 14 days noticed or its court , down load the papers , fill them in and send her a copy. You can add the court cost to the invoice. Don't fuck about with them and don't argue with them . I can guarantee they won't defend it . Then if they don't pay send in the bailiff then they have to pay the bailiff cost as well . But it will screw her credit rating up
Hi mate, I know what you mean, but I couldn't deal with the stress of it in the meantime.
I've passed on your number for future work!
Take care.
This is why its worth learning some basics in contract law amongst other legislation that you can throw at these people when they start the emotional game. From experience, they usually back down once a small claims summons pops through the door. Still mentally stressful all the same as it's the feeling of someone taking advantage that really worms it's way in.
Thank you for your comment.
My contract Terms and Conditions are totally watertight, but still I find it's not worth the stress of the process for £200.
Thank you for commenting.
I feel for you. Just keep swimming. Thankfully, there aren't many people out there like that. All the best.
Mate i feel your pain! I have just been done over as well. Long story short.
I did 2 day out of 3 at a clients property, All that was left was a spot of sanding on some filler around a light switch and throw a spot of mortar to cover a cable, wire in a nest.
Client kept on cancelling the last day, asked me to invoice for works completed.
After lots of excuses after 5 and half weeks i threatened legal action. That’s when it got serious. The email email i received was like nothing i have ever received before, i barely slept until i spoke with a solicitor and finally got the insurance on board.
Happily send you the email if you want.
My insurance emailed him 3 weeks ago and have never received a response. Apparently it’s a tactic where clients get you in for a few small jobs to build trust then drop you on the big work, citing poor workmanship, threaten legal action and an insurance claim in the hope you drop it.
This invoice is for £550.
Horrible horrible experience, like you say 99% of people are good as gold but it only takes one to really throw you off.
But i am going to wait for insurance to do it’s thing one way or another and then i’m off to small claims.
6 years apparently to chase unpaid invoices.
They should do a programme on scamming customers just to even things up.
It’s very rare I’ve won with day rates the amount of money customers have saved because of my OCD.
Thank you for your comment, it's appreciated.
I could tell that you were really upset by the behaviour of this customer. Don't let the b*st*rds grind you down! Hope you have a lovely time off.
Got a property developer who owes me £1800, we did the guy a massive favour, brought a squad of guys in to smash the job.out in 1 day. 2 months later the guy still hasnt paid. I had to pay the guys out of my own pocket so now am behind on bills. Really P's me off wjen people dont pay!!!