Customers Not Paying

[Maddog]

I have had a few problems with customers not paying. I usually give customers till the 15th-20th of the month after I bill them to recieve their payment unless other arrangements have been made in advance. I follow this up with a notice that their service will stop if I do not receive payment. Also before I resume mowing payment will need to be paid in advance for privious mowings and the next mowing.

I have found that some people just don't keep track of the mowing bills like they would a utility bill. Either they loose the bill with the payment info or the busniess card or any combination of things.

This does not happen often but in the last month it happened twice. Both customers called me up and made arrangements to pay their accounts in full and one mowing in advance after receiving this notice.

What I want to know is how others handle these situations and what you have run into that I might have to look out for[?]

[Scott]

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Only had problem with one guy for any extended time. He's getting ready to receive a nasty gram from a lawyer buddy of mine. People are so different that it's hard to tell which ones are slug and which ones are not. This current guy I'm having a problem with is a nervous wreck. I think he takes something to get him up to that level though. Fast talking, excuse making, hand waving,, etc... I think you get the picture. I also have one guy that takes some time but I get a check from a finance company, I think he's paying me out of a money market account or something. This guy is one of those that pays everything by automatic payment, I should probably talk to him about doing this with me!!!

[BLLS]

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Seems like customers not paying runs hand in hand with final cut for season some times. I say mailing a PAST DUE NOTICE is the way to start and canceling future service will also get some attention. But if all else fails I plan to find out if I can right it off on my taxes as a loss. Saving me the cost of the lawyer and waste of time in court.

[qualitylandscaping]

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Show up on their door step at midnight with a whip and some cookies. If they don't pay you, give um a whippin. If they do pay you give um some cookies and "whip" cream,,, lol!!![:p]

It's friday.. I need sleep!

[lawngoddess]

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we've been lucky that customers who don't pay at all are few and far between. Lots of slow payers though. Customers who don't pay get 2 past due invoices. If I don't receive payment, I send a letter stating service is suspended until paid in full. If no response I send a nastygram informing them that if this account is not paid in full by such and such date (usually 1 week) it is our policy to turn the matter over to a Collection agency/Lawyer/Small claims court, or place lien on the property. I usually just place a lien on the property because it cost next to nothing, just the cost of the registered letter. This usually works, if it doesn't I write it off on my taxes unless the amount is more than $150.00 then the collection agency or small claims court works too. Just keep really good business records.<font color="black"></font id="black">