How to handle this customer?

[dwyman]

Here's the situation. I was referred by my mom to one of her friends for fertilization. I did the bid, she agreed to the pricing and signed the contract. I did the first app. and left her an invoice. It was late so I sent her a 2nd invoice with late fee. It is now a month late. Now if she is in breach of contract I'm obviously not going to do any more apps until I'm paid for the first. Take in mind this is not a big dollar install, it is just a small time fert program (190.00 -> year) so I dont' plan to spend too much time or money chasing this one down. Anyways I'm just wondering how would you handle it? Just consider it a loss and move on or keep hounding her in spite. I do like to prove points and sometimes will go out of my way to get non payers to pay.

I'm not sure how breaching the contract works for me. I wouldn't think I could collect on the entire contract without performing the work first. But I don't plan on completing the program if I'm not getting paid so I guess I'm just out of luck either way if she don't pay, right?

[dwyman]

what do ya think?

[DeWitt Services]

I would make a face to face appointment. Maybe there is something going on in her life that put her in a bind. See if she can pay some now and more later. I wouldn't get all upset in the first month or two. Ask questions and be nice. Can't hurt. Or your mom might get mad at you!

[MortNuke]

A simple phone call is a great start.

"Hey there, (Name), this is (You and company). How are you doing? I wanted to let you know that it's time for the next lawn application that will (benefits here). According to my records, we haven't received payment for the last application. Of course, mistakes happen, so I wanted to check with you about it. Did you maybe send a payment and we just didn't credit it correctly?"

This has only happened a couple times to me, and a gentle and courteous phone call usually results in immediate payment. Mostly, its forgotten or some mistake ocurred. If they have a financial hardship, I would offer to let them "take whatever time you need, a month or two, and pay when you can...and I'll waive any late fees".

Of course, the goal is not to collect late fees - but to get the debt paid.

Mort

[dwyman]

thanks for the input. I was gonna call as the first step and see what happens from there. don't wanna make my mom mad.

[Maddog]

What I have done in the past, if I have trouble contacting them by phone or in person, is leave them a form I made up thast says something like this: " Sorry I missed you but due to being over due on payemnt for 2 months I will not be able to continue your sevice until payment is made, if you have any questions or would like to arrange payments please contact me at 111-1111." This has worked 3 out of 5 times for me and has helped me recoup quite a bit of late monies.

[MGO]

Break her kneecaps!

Ha....actually I had a customer this year that told me up front that she would not be able to pay me the full amount right away so I agreed to (2) equal payments....half at the completion of job nad the remaining half 2-weeks later.

Well, it took 3 weeks to get first payment and another 2 weeks for second payment,.,,,,but I did get paid. Simply by calling her and reminding her....she was very apolegetic and I could just tell she was sincere (she obviously just didn't have the cash)

My point is that some people just don't have it all to pay at once (in wich case they should not hire you to do a job)......and they try to avoid you because of embarrassment....or they expect you will wat it all at once. SO, try to get her to do payments if need be.,...at least you will get your money eventually.

DO NOT write it off....i.e. make sure you get paid for YOUR work....that is why you are in business.

[GrassMaster]

Keep on billing her for services performed & ask her is there any problems.

Give her a number to call so you can discuss her particular situation.

That you want to help resolve it & continue to do business with her.