deadbeat customer...

[lawnchick]

This customer of 2 1/2 seasons has decided that he doesn't want to pay anymore. This is an awkward situation, being that he is a high official in our town. Being nice, we extended his line of credit since last season. We have stopped his service, since he apparently got someone else, without informing us....and this is after phoning him and not getting a reply. He's into us for over $600 of mows & mulching work. Supposedly, down the grapevine, he does this to every landscaper he's had. We want to send him to collection.

Does anyone have a nicely worded letter to state that he'll be sent to collection if he doesn't pay up by the end of the month?

Is there a reputable collection agency that anyone can suggest?

Thanks in advance.

[dwyman]

XXX Lawns
6999 N. 48th Street
Omaha, NE 99999







Deadbeat
111 N. 1st St.
Wherever, NE 68164

Final Notice




December 14, 2005


Dear Mr. Deadbeat:

We have not heard from you regarding your balance of $214.34. This balance is extremely overdue.

If we do not receive payment in full within (7) seven days of the date of this letter, we will be placing your account with (collection agency name).

We urge you to give this matter your immediate attention.


Sincerely,



I'm gonna getcha sucka
XXX Lawns

[lawnchick]

Thanks, dwyman...it's very "to the point"...perfect!

[dwyman]

No problem. Good luck collecting. Let us know if ya collect or otherwise.

[suzuki4life]

hes a politition, make sure he knows about what you know. I would use this against him if i were you


-zach

[a40961]

Deadbeats

I am also a "lawnchick" running a lawncare with my son.

Sending an invoice via certified mail seems to work for me. I've had several "deadbeats" try to play their games. Sending certified mail lets them know I am serious about pursuing collection efforts. knock on wood, I haven't had to go to the next level, filing a small claim against them.

The other thing I do to try to limit non payment is to NOT let the account get too far in arrears. When they reach the One month past due level, service is no longer performed.

I also have changed my invoices to add "Net Due" terms. This way they know what I expect.

Hope this helps!

[Ms. Jen]

Collections Letters (2)

Dear Lawnchick,

I would put it to em one of these 2 ways........
#1 -

Dear butt head,
Your account is seriously in arrears. And we have had no response from you through our repeated reminders, we are obliged to consider the possibility of seeking help in collecting the past-due amount of $600.00 with the help of a collection agency.

If at all possible, we like to avoid this way of removing unpaid accounts from our books - both for your sake and ours. Your credit standing will be affected by such actions, and we lose time and money trying to collect money that is in all justice owed to us.

We will be transferring this account to a collections agency on July XX, 2006. We would however, be happy to work out a payment schedule with your if you will call us before then. Hoping to hear from you, I am sincerely, the Lawnchick.

#2
The XXXXX collection agency has been authorized by the Lawnchick to collect $600.00 past due amount on your account. According to many attempts you have not responded to requests for payment for a period of XXXX months. This letter serves as your official notice that collections proceedings will begin Ten days from the date of this letter unless you contact us to make some satisfactory arrangement for payment.

We are also not adverse to contacting the local chamber of commerce and informing them of your shoddy business practices to alert the public of your shannigans!

[lawnchick]

Thanks for the great ideas.

In the past, we sent a certified letter to a different deadbeat, and he refused it...therefore we were forced to take further action....only to get 1/4 what we were owed, since he had a snake~lawyer with him who knew the judge....grrrrrrrr Sometimes I really hate the justice system!!!

We won't go that route again. We're liking the "threat of collection" or "putting a lien on their house" ideas the best.

Where & how do you go about putting a lien on someone's house/property anyway?

[Scaper-S2k]

You may not be able to put a lien on a persons home for mowing services. Mulching would be okay though, but you have a set time frame.

That might vary by state.

[Stephen M.]

Your situation rings a bell with me. I had a very good mowing/fertilizing account cancel last month because an employee made a faulty fertilizer application--the horrid streaks. When I sent out the final bill, I wrote N/C on the fertilizing, but billed for the last mowing we did.

Today I sent out a 2nd billing with the 30 day late fee attached and the following note on the bill: "If you chose not to pay, I will bring friends to your restaurant and run up the tab to this amount, write paid in full on the bill and leave, Or, it lands in civil court. Your choice."

[lawnchick]

Today I sent out a 2nd billing with the 30 day late fee attached and the following note on the bill: "If you chose not to pay, I will bring friends to your restaurant and run up the tab to this amount, write paid in full on the bill and leave, Or, it lands in civil court. Your choice."

Great idea!!! I'll remember that one if either of the two food establishments that we handle tries to stiff us...lol

If I found the correct info, I believe that the statute of limitations in NJ to go after money that is owed is 6 years. My husband said that he will probably just have me keep billing the deadbeat along with the late fee for awhile, if not for up to the 6 yr mark....then bring him to small claims court! Mind you, we are charging a 1.5% late fee every month...which comes out to about $9 right now...and rising... :p We can wait. Although, we have a feeling he will be calling to work something out, after this month's billing goes out.