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I sent out final notices to those that are on suspended service due to non payment and stated they must pay by a certain day or they will be filed in court. The problem is that it costs me about $150.00 upfront to file the charges. Also, the paperwork states that you can only file 2 suits in a 12 month calendar year. I have at least 4 right now that I could possibly have to go after if they don't pay. They are all within a 2 - 4 hundred dollar range. The $150.00 is added to the amount I'm originally siung for(services unpaid) but it's still upfront money I gotta pay. What else can I do? Can soneone reccommend a collection agency that is not pricey or any other unknown method to me. Thanks
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That's BS and I can't see where that can be the law of the land.Originally posted by mariner
If you have a written and signed contract with logs of when the work was done you are in the drivers seat.
In the commonwealth you just bypass the district justice level and go right to the county court of common pleas.
Then you get a judgment (this includes your court costs and attorney fees), and if they don't appeal within 30 days you file for a writ of execution and show up and with two state constables and haul off all their household possessions at 10 cents on a dollar. Example a $4000 lcd tv is worth $400 of the judgment.
Most of the time a checkbook comes out when you are at the door and you don't need the moving van. -
The letter I send out, stating that payment must be rec'd by certain date or suit will be filed in small claims, also informs deadbeat customer that a judgment against them will have an adverse effect on their credit rating. And that they will also be liable for cost of filing, etc.
I have never had to file but once. People seem to think getting their credit rating screwed up is far worse than anything else a mere lowly lawn boy can do to them.
I get the money WITHOUT having to file. If you really have a limit in your jurisdiction on number of filings per year, how likely is it that the customers will know that, or that you might have already used up your limit? The letter has to read like you absolutely positively intend to follow through.
Alternatively, tell them if payment is not received you will be happy to return double their grass clippings.
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The Way We Collect
We use a 1 page "Affidavid to Claim a Lien" which is filed of record against the property for a filing fee of $16.00. It wont get your money now, but when they sell or refinance, the title company will call for a release & then they are in a big hurry! We add another $250 to $300 in fees for the troubule, plus 10% interest until it is paid, so we consider it a nice investment account, plus some ultimate revenge!!!!Originally posted by mariner
First, we send a certified demand letter advising that within 15 days we will file, & 50% of the time they pay us.
The cheapest way to learn if this is done in your state, go to the county office where the deeds are recorded & ask if you can get a copy of someone elses Affidavid. Usually the persons working there will help.
MJComment
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I have a deadbeat on me.... call and she claims to have me arrested for harassment, then she slams down the phone.
Help!Comment
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Wow. Don't know what to tell ya.Comment
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If I keep calling what am I up against? What if I knock on her door? I've dealt with a few creditors of my own in the past, they can do whatever they want but I don't want to end up in a bad situation cause she called the cops. But doggonit, I did two days of hard shrub cutting and I'm getting screwed out of it!Comment
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Haven't any of you heard of a good ole' a-- whooping!!!!
I am sure theres something out there that will garauntee those bushes
are never green again.
good luckComment
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As a creditor, you can legally call once per day in an attempt to collect.
My suggestion, just go ahead and file suit. Once you get your judgment, then go kill her bushes.Comment
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Mariner, is it possible that the "paperwork" is saying you can only file 2 suits against the same person in a 12 month calendar year?!?Originally posted by mariner
DaveComment
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I'm pretty sure but I'll be able to tell ya for sure on Monday as I will be filing a couple. The payments are due by Friday so i'll do last chance phone calls on Thursday night....if no money by Sunday, actually, I'll be at the court house Monday morning.Comment
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Well, its thursday night and I gave em till friday to pay and only 2 of 7 have paid. We'll see what the mail brings this weekend. Either way i'll be at the courthouse for at least a couple of em on Monday.
Does anyone know any other way to deal with this pain in the ass. This is something i'm gonna have to figure out cuz I don't plan on downsizing!
I'm thinking I'm gonna do the credit card link next year to avoid any of this. If they don't pay within 30 days, I pull it out of their credit account. I HATE NON PAYERS!!!! SLOW PAYERS SUCK TOO!Comment
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WORD! Is it just me, or is December a slow month for everybody to get paid? Even some of the good ones are taking their time.Originally posted by marinerComment
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It would make sense to me that if you already have the CC machine and the customers number on file, set them up on a direct CC debit for payment. Dont go 30 days and then charge them.Originally posted by marinerComment
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HAHA I had the same thing happen to me - I told him "FINE , do it - if you don't pay we're going to court anyway"I have a deadbeat on me.... call and she claims to have me arrested for harassment, then she slams down the phone.Comment
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